Isaiah 6:5-7

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of impure lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of impure lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar; and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this has touched your lips, and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”

Previous to the full revelation of himself in the Gospel, God was pleased to communicate his mind and will to men by dreams and visions, which, since the completion of the sacred canon, are no longer to be expected. But we must not therefore imagine that the revelations so made are less interesting to us, than those which proceeded more immediately from the enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit. The same importance must be attached to everything which God has spoken, so far at least as the instruction which is intended to be conveyed is itself important. For instance, the vision of Isaiah seems to have been a peculiar favor given to him; but still it contains many instructive lessons for us; and in this two-fold view we will consider it,

I. As a peculiar favor given to him.

That we may have a more distinct view of it, we shall notice in succession,

1. The vision given.

The place where the prophet was supposed to be, was the outer court of the temple; from whence, the veil which separated it from the sanctuary being drawn aside, he beheld Jehovah seated on his throne, and his train, like that of eastern monarchs, filling the temple. Had no additional light been cast on this vision in the New Testament, we would not have thought of inquiring more minutely about the glorious object whom he saw, and who is here so repeatedly designated by titles peculiar to the one supreme God; but we are authorized to declare, that the person whom he saw, was the Lord Jesus Christ, even our “Immanuel, God with us! “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him! John 12:41.”

Around the throne were “the seraphim,” the holy angels, like flames of fire, Psalm 104:4, in a posture of devout adoration. Each of them had six wings; with two of which he covered his face, as unworthy to behold God; and with the other two, his feet, as unworthy to serve him; while with the remaining two he flew with all possible activity to fulfill his will. In themselves they were perfect and spotless creatures; yet, conscious of being as nothing in the sight of a pure and holy God, they were filled with profoundest awe, and served him with reverential fear!

In their worship of him they celebrated, in alternate and responsive songs, the holiness of his nature, and the wonders of his grace. Whether, in the repetition of the word “holy,” there is any reference, as some have thought, to the Three Persons of the Godhead, we undertake not to determine; but they evidently regarded the holiness of God as that attribute, which constitutes the glory and perfection of all the rest; and indeed it is that attribute in which he is more especially glorious, Exodus 15:11, and at the remembrance of which the whole universe should give thanks, Psalm 30:4.

Together with this glorious subject they evidently combined the wonders of redeeming love. It is in that view alone that “the earth” can be said to be “full of his glory.” In the whole creation indeed there is a marvelous display of wisdom and power; but in redemption alone are seen the mercy, and truth, and faithfulness of our God. And though the seraphims are not savingly interested in that work as we are—yet, as exhibiting the full radiance of all the divine perfections in united splendor, they admire it, they sing of it, they, glorify the Lord Jesus on account of it! Compare Psalm 72:17-19, where the same person is spoken of, and the some subject pursued.

At the sound of their voices the doors of the temple were shaken, and the house was filled with smoke. It is possible that this was designed to express the approbation of God, and his delight in that work which was the subject of their praise, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; 2 Chronicles 6:1. But we rather suppose, that it was intended to intimate the future abolition of the temple worship, when the time should have arrived for the complete establishment of the Christian dispensation, Amos 9:1 with Hebrews 12:27.

2. The fear excited.

In all the manifestations of God to men, the sight of his majesty has excited alarm and terror! Judges 13:22. Daniel 10:6-8. Revelation 1:17. A measure of this feeling we behold in the prophet on this occasion.

But together with this, there was also a deep sense of humiliation and contrition. As Job, on a similar occasion, was led to exclaim, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes, Job 42:6,” so the prophet, viewing himself, and all around him, in the light of God’s holiness, accounted himself a leper in the midst of a leprous world. Whatever he might have judged of himself before, he now was speechless; as indeed every human being must be in the presence of a holy God, Romans 3:19; since “we are all as an impure thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags! Isaiah 64:6.” From the apprehension and terror we are freed by the Gospel; but the humiliation and self-abasement should rather increase in proportion to the more exalted privileges we enjoy, Ezekiel 16:63.

3. The consolation administered.

Instantly did one of the seraphim fly to him, to declare, that his iniquities were all blotted out as a morning cloud, through the sin-atoning blood of Christ. This was emblematically represented to him by a coal taken from off the altar of burnt-offering, and applied to his lips. Doubtless the performance of this office was a delightful service to the Seraph, who would willingly forego for a season the more immediate vision of God himself, for the honor of executing his will as a messenger of mercy to sinful man.

But we hasten from this more restricted view of the subject, to consider it,

II. As an instructive lesson to us.

While we acknowledge that such visions are not to be expected by us, we may contemplate Isaiah’s vision with great advantage to our souls.

1. We may learn from Isaiah’s vision, that a sight of Christ is the highest privilege we can enjoy!

What is it that constitutes the felicity of Heaven? What is it that is the great source of happiness to the seraphim around the throne? It is a sight of Christ enthroned in his glory! Yet was that sight afforded to the prophet in a vision; and afterwards to Paul, by an immediate admission to it in Heaven.

And is there no such vision to be enjoyed by us? To our bodily eyes indeed there is not; nor to our imaginations will any such view of him be presented; but to the eye of faith the Lord Jesus is clearly visible; and the eyes of every believer may even now “behold the King in his beauty! Isaiah 33:17.”

In the Gospel he is fully revealed to us; there he appears as “the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person;” and we may “behold his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!” We need not envy the prophet himself; for we may have even brighter views of Jesus than he ever enjoyed.

We are told that John was greater than all the prophets; and yet that “the least in the Kingdom of Heaven,” that is under the Gospel dispensation, “is greater than he, Luke 7:26-28.” How did he excel all others? Others prophesied of Christ; but he pointed him out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of men!” And wherein do we excel him? He beheld Jesus when he came to accomplish our redemption; and we behold him after its accomplishment, seated on his throne of glory, and actually applying to millions of his people the full benefits of that redemption.

Let those who embrace the Gospel know their high privilege. Let the poor especially rejoice and be glad. It is not to human learning or to strength of intellect that this discovery of Christ is made, but to faith; and if we search the sacred records with a believing eye, then will “God shine into our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!”

2. We may learn from Isaiah’s vision, that the more humble we are in our own eyes, the richer communications we shall receive from him.

Behold how speedily the angel was sent to comfort the mind of the dejected prophet! This was a faithful representation of the care which Jesus takes of all his afflicted people, especially when humbled in the dust before him. “He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, until he brings forth judgment unto victory.” Though he is “The High and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy—yet will he dwell with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones, Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2.”

Does not his Word universally attest this blessed truth, that “while he who exalts himself shall be abased—the man that humbles himself shall be exalted?” Do not be afraid then, you who feel your own unworthiness; give not way to despondency; do not say, “Woe is me! I am undone!” Do not follow the unbelieving example of Peter, saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord! Luke 5:8.”

But know that, if you feel yourselves lost, it was precisely such people that he came to seek and save! Luke 19:10; and that, “where sin has abounded, his grace shall much more abound! Romans 5:20-21;” and if, like Mary, you are enabled to go behind him, and wash his feet with your tears, he will before long say to you, “Your sins, which are many, are forgiven!”

Indeed it is in this way that he is daily acting by the ministry of his Word; he sends his servant to take his promises, and apply them to the hearts and consciences of his people, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, and thus to fill them with “a peace that passes understanding,” and with “joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.”

3. We may learn from Isaiah’s vision, that a sense of his pardoning love should animate us to an unreserved surrender of ourselves to him!

See the effect which was instantly produced on the prophet’s mind. God designed to send his messages of love and mercy to the Jews, notwithstanding he knew beforehand that they would prove ineffectual for their conversion. To carry such messages was a painful task; but yet, when God asked, “Who will go for us?” the prophet hesitated not one moment to offer his services, saying, “Here am I, send me! verse 8.”

Thus should we also manifest our gratitude to God for all the mercies given unto us through the Son of his love. We should not inquire whether His commands seem pleasant; or, whether our obedience will advance our credit in the world. It should be sufficient for us to know what the will of the Lord is; and then we should account it our honor to do, or suffer it.

Especially does this observation apply to those who minister in holy things; if God says, Who will go for me, to carry my Gospel to the heathen? we should not stand to inquire, Whether the office be lucrative or not; or, whether the climate to which we are to go be more or less healthy. No; we should stand forth and say, “Here am I, send me!” O that we all felt this holy zeal, and that we did not so lamentably “confer with flesh and blood,” when, if called to it, we should leave even the vision of God himself, to execute his will towards sinful man!

In whatever line of life we move, we should be actuated by the same spirit; and so feel the constraining influence of Christ’s love, as to live no longer to ourselves, but altogether unto Him who died for us, and rose again! 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Charles Simeon