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MAKING SENSE OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
By Henry Jaegers
Lesson 9
Finding a Starting Point
The Conversion of Isaiah
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted, and his train filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1)
I thought that this verse was a good way to begin our study in the book of Isaiah. Logically, it makes sense that before Isaiah could present this message, he needed to be first acquainted with the one who gave it to him. And although the book of Isaiah is not presented chronologically, I thought that this was a good way to begin.
Chapter 1 serves more as an introduction because it tells us first of all, who the messenger was, and it gives us a reason for the message. In the simplified form, the purpose of the message was to prevent backsliding Israel from going over the edge and calling them back in a loving compassionate way. Isaiah appears to show similar compassion for the people to whom he is sent. This is why God called him to declare this message. God is careful about the people he selects to declare his word and the times that they are given. And this is illustrated in chapter 1.
Then we talked about the methods that God uses, to bring his backslidden people home". And I think as we consider the book of Isaiah, understanding his method, helps us to understand how he is accomplishing his purpose in us.
So, to avoid confusion, I would like to use this outline throughout the book, to keep from getting distracted from the main message. Here is the outline.
- The Messenger
- The Message
- The Method
Now. With that, we will begin.
In his commentary on the testimony of Isaiah, G. Campbell Morgan gives his insight into this. He said, that it appears that Isaiah was going through a period of sorrow and anxiety over the loss of the king that he greatly loved and admired. And he makes this statement based on an experience that he had.
In his lifetime, G. Campbell Morgan went through a similar experience over the death of Queen Victoria. And her death had a great effect on England as her people very much loved her. And he equates the loss of King Uzziah with the loss of Queen Victoria.
But he brings to light something else that the Scripture seems to portray. In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah was introduced to another king to take his place, and thus this illustration brings clarity to the statement made by Isaiah. To replace King Uzziah, he is now introduced to "King Jesus." How so? You may be thinking. He goes on to say that Isaiah had a similar experience as the apostle John in his writing of the book of Revelation. As we come to chapters 4 and five of Revelation, John focuses on two things. First, he saw "A throne. Then in chapter 5, he saw 'A Man."
Now consider the message of Isaiah. He says that the two main chapters in the book of Isaiah are chapter 6 and chapter 53. Then in the same manner as John, he also had a similar focus. First the verse before us we see a throne. Then we come to chapter 53, we see a man. The same throne in the same man is seen by Isaiah. Now that's a good way to start understanding this book.
Without going into detail regarding Isaiah's conversion experience, I would like to focus on the words of God after Isaiah was cleansed from his sin. Now he is ready to proceed with the work God has for him to do. And without telling him what that work will be, God says "who will go for us? And who shall I send?" And the response of Isaiah was true, the response of faith. "Here am I Lord, send me!" Imagine that? Isaiah said yes before he even knew what the mission was to be.
When in a modified form, God tells Isaiah that he is sending him to a people whose ears are stopped and those eyes are blind, to a people who refused to budge. But all that was said after Isaiah volunteered. And as we contemplate this, it takes us immediately to chapter 1 where Isaiah begins his message to those to whom God has sent him.
Our next study will begin a new message in chapter 2 with the first of these messages that Isaiah has.
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