1.

Verse 1 says that the vision came when Uzziah died. What does the Scripture say about the king Uzziah, especially the way he finished his life? (2Ch 26:3,11,19-21) What warning is there for us to heed from the way he ended his career as a king? 

** He was prosperous in many ways. But not knowing that his prosperity/success was largely thanks to the Lord God who blessed him, he became proud enough to think that he was qualified to burn incense. In this way he put himself above the word of God. The Lord God struck him with leprosy. He then remained leprous and died that way.

** This reminds us of what Proverbs 16:18  says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This has been the problem of all sinners including Adam.

2.

Verses 2-3 describe another king, the heavenly one. What do the following descriptions say about the Lord? 1) the Lord seated on a throne; 2) [a throne which is] high and exalted; 3) the train of his robe filled the temple; 4) Holy, holy, holy; 5) the Lord Almighty; and 6) the whole earth is full of his glory. 

** Overall these descriptions talk about the perfect beauty of God’s kingdom where God is the King, with his infinite glory being the key characteristic. This perfection in beauty stands in strong contrast with the life here on earth where imperfect humans such as Uzziah are ruling. 

The Lord seated on a throne shows that although there are two thrones, one on earth, the other in God’s kingdom, it is the Lord who is still reigning. 

A throne high and exalted indicates that it is superior in order (high) and glory (exalted) to the earthly throne/power. 

The train of his robe that filled the temple indicates that the Lord is a person, and that his rule is in the context of the Lord’s temple. He is above, but is not indifferent. Rather he chose to communicate with His people through his temple which is his dwelling place. Referring to the same truth, the Lord God asked Moses to call the tabernacle a “Tent of the Meeting” (Exodus 28:43). The same grace persists in our own generation as well, for by sending the Holy Spirit within a believer, the Lord maintains the line of fellowship between himself and his people. 

Holy, holy, holy, refers to God’s perfection in every conceivable way of his character, particularly in his morality and spirituality. 

The Lord Almighty refers to his love and power, especially his ability to provide all we need for life. 

The whole earth is full of his glory indicates that if we have eyes to see, even as fallen and cursed as this world is, still it is filled with His glory. This indicates that despite man’s rebellion, in his goodness the Lord still sustains the universe and everything in it to run as it does, all according to his infinitely great love and power. 

3.

Consider the impact of the sound of the seraphs’ voices, praising God in verse 4. What can we learn from them? (2Ch 20:21-26; Acts 16:25)

** We need to stop grumbling about this or about that. Rather, we must give thanks to God for his glorious deeds. And we must praise his name even for the very fact that he made us and we are alive today. Plus, even in times of troubles and hardships, we must give thanks to God, for this is the will of God for us, not forgetting that some difficulties coming our way are even God’s blessings in disguise.

Like the seraphs, we need to make music with a loud voice, from the bottom of our hearts, even as we did at the MSU conf. in singing the Hallelujah chorus. 

4.

Think about Isaiah’s experience in verses 5-7. When did he “realize” his sin? What was his sin? How did the Lord atone for his sin? How do you think this experience affected his life as the Lord’s servant? (Isaiah 55:8-9; 46:10)

** He realized his sin when he came to know the true “nature” of God, who is worthy of constant praise.

** The sin of complaining, i.e., not fully giving thanks to God with songs of praise, as powerfully as the seraphs were doing. 

Complaining is one of the great sins, and this sin of complaining is due to one’s ignorance of God’s true greatness which is to be manifested in the lives of those who are thankful in all circumstances.

** Touching by the live coal which was pulled out by tongs from  the live coals on the altar. This indicates thorough repentance as thorough as the burnt offering being offered to God on the altar of redemption based on repentance. 

** This experience helped Isaiah to operate with God’s dimension, seeing everything and operating fully with God’s perspective, which sees the end from beginning, all according to God’s perfect plan of redemption, for all peoples on earth, coming from generation to generation. The messages, especially the ones about the Messiah, such as Isaiah 9:6, are all reflective of the turnaround he experienced at the Lord’s temple, for there in the Lord’s temple, he really experienced a real turnaround from thinking what is from below to thinking what is from above.)

5.

 Meditate on the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” What does the Lord’s voice show us about his will for his people? 

** God’s will for all peoples on earth is reflected in the first two lines in the Lord’s prayer, that is, your kingdom come, your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Luke 11:2

6.

Verse 8 indicates that Isaiah responded to God’s calling with joy. What might have motivated him to respond to His calling so enthusiastically?

** Apparently having experienced the infinitely great bliss that is true of God’s perfect kingdom, he had a heart of deep compassion for those who live here on earth, not knowing this blessedness; therefore he eagerly desired to get this message across to the people who are ignorant of this blessed kingdom. 

7.

Verses 9-13 describe the message the Lord asked Isaiah to serve. What do you think the Lord is trying to say?  

** The message seems to be based on two expressions: 1) holy seed; and 2) stumps.

The idea is that despite a  majority of people continually remaining ignorant, still the Lord’s hope of perfect redemption will continue to persist and be fulfilled in and through the work of the Son of God (holy seed) to come. 

The end.