_In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord_ THE STORY OF THE PROPHET’S CALL--WHY INSERTED HERE Why the narrative of the prophet’s call was not, as in the cases of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, allowed to occupy the first place in the book, is a question which cannot be certainly answered. One... [ Continue Reading ]
_Above it stood the seraphim_ THE SERAPHIM The first question that arises is, Who, or what were the seraphim? They belong to this vision only, and must stand in vital relation to the condition and circumstances of the seer at the time. It is to be noted, further, that the time was that of the grea... [ Continue Reading ]
_And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts_ THE HOLINESS OF GOD We consider holiness as essential to the very being of God. Holiness is originally in God. If angels are holy, God made them so. If believers are holy, God made them so. But the holiness of God is n... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the posts of the door moved_ THE SHAKEN TEMPLE It is stated that, at a musical festival which was held in Westminster Abbey on one occasion, the strains were so powerful in a certain part of the performance, that the whole building was shaken. So it was on this occasion. The sacred edifice t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said I, Woe is me!--_ THE MORAL HISTORY OF A RISING SOUL; OR, THE WAY UP FROM DEPRAVITY TO HOLINESS Whilst holiness is the normal, depravity is the actual state of man. A restoration to his spiritual condition is his profoundest necessity. What is the path of the soul up from the depths of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand_ THE LIVE COAL FROM THE ALTAR These words seem to address themselves in the way of encouragement and consolation-- I. TO THE MINISTERS OF THE WORD SPECIALLY. Like Isaiah they feel the importance of the work to which they are ca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send?_ MESSENGERS WANTED I. THE PERSON WANTED, as described in the questions, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” The person wanted is viewed from two points. The person wanted has a Divine side: “Whom shall I send?” Then he has a huma... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not_ ISAIAH: HIS HEAVINESS AND HIS CONSOLATION 1. Isaiah summed up his whole future life in those two words, “Behold me; send me.” Then on his ardent soul was poured the heavy message, “Go, and thou shalt tell this people” (God... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make the heart of this people fat_ THE POWER OF SELF-CURSING “Make the heart of this people fat,” etc. By this it is not meant that Isaiah was to aim at and put forth what power he possessed to lead the people of Judah deeper and ever deeper into error and sire That was an errand on which God was... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said I, Lord, how long?_ THE STATE OF THE CHURCH I. NOTICE A FEW THINGS AFFECTING THE STATE OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE WORLD WHICH ARE CALCULATED TO EXCITE THE ASTONISHMENT AND GRIEF OF THE CHRISTIAN. 1. The little progress which Christianity has made after a lapse of eighteen hundred years.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return_ THE REMNANT In the worst of times God has a little remnant that kept their garments clean, and in the midst of the most sweeping and desolating calamities He will take special notice of it for good. 1. The remnant will be but small. “A tenth.”... [ Continue Reading ]