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Prophets and Kings
the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory,” until post and
pillar and cedar gate seemed shaken with the sound, and the house was
filled with their tribute of praise.
Isaiah 6:3
.
As Isaiah beheld this revelation of the glory and majesty of his
Lord, he was overwhelmed with a sense of the purity and holiness of
God. How sharp the contrast between the matchless perfection of his
Creator, and the sinful course of those who, with himself, had long
been numbered among the chosen people of Israel and Judah! “Woe is
me!” he cried; “for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,
and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have
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seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
Verse 5
. Standing, as it were, in the
full light of the divine presence within the inner sanctuary, he realized
that if left to his own imperfection and inefficiency, he would be utterly
unable to accomplish the mission to which he had been called. But
a seraph was sent to relieve him of his distress and to fit him for his
great mission. A living coal from the altar was laid upon his lips, with
the words, “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken
away, and thy sin purged.” Then the voice of God was heard saying,
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” and Isaiah responded,
“Here am I; send me.”
Verses 7, 8
.
The heavenly visitant bade the waiting messenger, “Go, and tell
this people,
“Hear ye indeed, but understand not;
And see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Make the heart of this people fat,
And make their ears heavy, and shut
their eyes;
Lest they see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And convert, and be healed.”
Verses 9, 10
.
The prophet’s duty was plain; he was to lift his voice in protest
against the prevailing evils. But he dreaded to undertake the work
without some assurance of hope. “Lord, how long?” he inquired.
Verse