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Humility—True or False?, August 15
Isaiah 6:1-4
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of
hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3
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These holy beings sang forth the praise and glory of God with lips unpolluted
with sin. The contrast between the feeble praise which he [Isaiah] had been
accustomed to bestow upon the Creator and the fervid praises of the seraphim,
astonished and humiliated the prophet....
While he listened to the song of the angels, ... the glory, the infinite power,
and the unsurpassed majesty of the Lord passed before his vision, and was
impressed upon his soul. In the light of this matchless radiance that made
manifest all he could bear in the revelation of the divine character, his own
inward defilement stood out before him with startling clearness. His very words
seemed vile to him.
Thus when the servant of God is permitted to behold the glory of the God of
heaven, as He is unveiled to humanity, and realizes to a slight degree the purity
of the Holy One of Israel, he will make startling confessions of the pollution
of his soul, rather than proud boasts of his holiness. In deep humiliation Isaiah
exclaimed, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips....”
This is not that voluntary humility and servile self-reproach that so many seem
to consider it a virtue to display. This vague mockery of humility is prompted by
hearts full of pride and self-esteem. There are many who demerit themselves in
words, who would be disappointed if this course did not call forth expressions
of praise and appreciation from others. But the conviction of the prophet was
genuine
The seraphim before the throne are so filled with reverential awe in beholding
the glory of God that they do not for an instant look upon themselves with self-
complacency, or in admiration of themselves or one another. Their praise and
glory are for the Lord of Hosts.... They are fully satisfied to glorify God; and
in His presence, beneath His smile of approbation, they wish for nothing more.
In bearing His image, in doing His service and worshiping Him, their highest
ambition is fully reached
[234]
20
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1140
.
21
Ibid
.
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