Isaiah 6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5

Seeing God and the sense of sin. "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips." To Isaiah a work of unusual solemnity had been entrusted, one that needed to be done in a most serious and reverent spirit. He was at once the prophet of the Lord's terror and of the Lord's mercy. He was to denounce sin with the solemnity of one who knew what God's thought of sin was. He was to produce the conviction of sin before God in the corrupt minds and hearts of the people,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5

The true inspiration for workers. "Mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." What a scene is presented in this chapter for our imaginations to reproduce! The throng of worshippers had left the courts of the sacred temple; the chanting, in alternate parts, of the choir of singers, clothed in white linen, had died into silence. Other devout Israelites were praying apart, and white-robed priests silently presented their prayers in the fragrant cloud of incense which rose from the golden... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5-7

THE SEQUEL OF THE VISION — THE PROPHET 'S SENSE OF UNWORTHINESS . The vision of God in this life, whether natural or ecstatic, cannot but produce in the beholder a deep feeling of his unworthiness. God "is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity;" even "the heavens are not clean in his sight" ( Job 15:15 ). Man, being never wholly purged from sin while on earth, cannot but shrink from contact with the absolutely Holy. Hence Isaiah's cry (verse 5); and hence, to comfort... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5-7

Spiritual agitation. The passage depicts the prophet in a condition of great mental agitation; his state may suggest to us— I. THE ALARM OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT UNDER THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE . Anything which brings us into close contact with the unseen world powerfully affects our spirit and produces an apprehension for which we may not be able to account. 1. Any visitant, real or imaginary, from the spiritual realm fills us with fear (see 6:22... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:6

A live coal ; or, a glowing stone , as Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Knobel, and Mr. Cheyne understand. The tongs … the altar . The presence of an altar in the heavenly dwelling, with the usual appurtenances, is assumed (comp. Revelation 6:9 ; Revelation 8:3 ). The altar is, no doubt, an altar of incense, and of gold, not of stone; but the incense is burnt upon stones heated to a glow, and it is one of these stones which the angel takes with the golden tongs of the sanctuary ( Exodus 25:38... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:6-7

Divine endowment the proof of Divine forgiveness and acceptance. What occurred must be explained in connection with the vision. One of those seraphim who stood, with poised wings, ready for an instant and unquestioning obedience, at the bidding of the King flew down, having taken a live coat from the sublime altar which formed part of the vision, and with it touched the mouth of the prophet, speaking also words of gracious assurance. This touch of the mouth of the prophet was the symbol of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:7

He laid it upon my mouth ; literally, he caused it to touch my mouth ; i.e. "he touched my mouth with it." He brought it into contact with that part of him which the prophet had recognized ( Isaiah 6:5 ) as the seat of impurity. Thine iniquity is taken away . By the contact the prophet's impurity is purged, and he is freed from it. The symbolical net showed read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:8

Whom shall I send? . Such questions enable those who wait in the courts of heaven to show their zeal and readiness. Who will go for us? Some explain the plural pronoun as used of the Almighty and those with whom he is consulting. But he does not really "consult" his creatures ( infra , Isaiah 40:14 ; Revelation 11:1-19 :34), nor do his messengers do his errands for them . The plural form is best explained by the light which Isaiah 6:3 throws on it, as indicative of the doctrine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:8

The call of God. "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I send me." The symbol of the seraphim had been on the prophet's head, and the voice of the Lord had come to his conscience and his heart. The live coal had touched his lips. Prophets, apostles, teachers, must be sent of God. Other qualifications are appropriate and excellent, but this is indispensable. I. THE DIVINE QUERY . "Whom?" Then God takes thought ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:8

On God's errand. Our thought is naturally divided into— I. THE DIVINE DEMAND . "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" 1. There are some demands God makes of us all . He requires that we should hearken when he speaks; that we should be especially attentive to his Son ( Matthew 17:5 ); that we should accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, Friend, Exemplar; that we should honor him before the world. 2. There are other demands he makes of most of his children . ... read more

Group of Brands