How many of you enjoy the Prophetic Books in the Bible? If I am honest, the Prophets is not the easiest section in the Bible for me. Much of the time, I find it necessary to also study the history along with the chronological order of kingdoms in order to understand the Prophets, and I tend to get my dates mixed up. In addition, I am also someone who easily gets lost when I read poetry. And since there is poetry in the Prophets, I get lost often!
The Book of Isaiah is no exception. Even though studying Isaiah remains a challenge for me, I cannot argue it is one of the most important books in the Bible. It contains some incredible prophecies about the promised Messiah. Especially during Christmas time, many like to recall Isaiah 7:14…
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
…and Isaiah 9:6:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”
But the passage we will look at this Sunday is not from either of these. Before the familiar prophetic passages about the coming Messiah, there was one day in Isaiah 6, when Isaiah saw a vision of God in the temple. As the Lord reigned in glory on the throne, seraphim called to one another in angelic praise, shaking the temple with his presence. This shaking moment shook Isaiah in a way he had never been shaken before. God showed him he was unlike any other because his throne was an eternal throne. It changed the whole course of Isaiah’s ministry.
The story gets better. Within a few chapters, Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6 would come into view. God’s revelation in Isaiah 6 was an important one, but Isaiah would learn it was only the tip of the iceberg. Come, let’s look together and think together this Sunday through the progression of God’s revelation of his glory, holiness, and righteousness in Isaiah. Merry Christmas! And see you Sunday.
Your Friend,
Alvin