When men see the Lord
Published 3:41 pm Friday, February 20, 2009
Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13
Aim: To help the pupil understand how Isaiah received and answered God’s call to him.
Golden Text: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said ‘I, Here am I; send me'” (Isaiah 6:8).
Isaiah had a vision of Jehovah God. In this vision he saw the throne of God, and God gave him a call to serve Him as a prophet. The principles revealed in Isaiah’s call gives us the basic things that are involved in how men today perceive and see the Lord with the eye of faith. This lesson focuses upon how men should view Jehovah today.
I. When men see God, they see Him as Lord (Isaiah 6:1-4). First, they see His place on an exalted throne (vs. 1-2). He governs over the calendar of time, governments and the events of men. He governs with all authority and power. None is greater than He. His throne is the highest, and it is filled with His glory (vs. 1). He is attended by holy seraphims (high angel creatures, vs. 2).
Second, men see His character—Holy (vs. 3). All his attributes are governed by holiness. He is Holy God. He is Holy Lord. He is Holy Savior. He is Holy King. He is Holy Love. He is Holy Judgment. He is holy in all His character and works. Whatever His is and does, He is Holy!
Third, men see His glory—as revealed in creation, Israel, Jesus Christ and, in a measure, the Christian (vs. 3). The fullness of His glory is yet to be seen by man today. When Christ shall return, His glory shall be revealed in a marvelous way.
Fourth, men see His terribleness against sin (vs. 4). God’s law: where there is sin, there is judgment. In Exodus 32, 3,000 are slain by Levites for breaking the Law of God. Later the city of Jerusalem was destroyed because of the people’s sins in breaking God’s law of holiness. There is judgment as well as salvation in Jehovah God.
II. When men see God, they see themselves as they really are—guilty sinners (Isaiah 6:5-7). Isaiah saw himself as “unclean” living among men who were “unclean” (vs. 5). He says he is “undone” (cut off from God). He says he is “unclean (personally, and all his associates).
The Lord provides divine cleansing for everyone who will receive Him (vs. 7) by taking away is sin. Isaiah received this cleansing. The question today is, “Have I believed and received the cleansing from my own sins?
III. When men see God, they are ready to submit to God in service (Isaiah 6:8-13). God asked who will go for Him (vs. 8). Isaiah’s response as a cleansed sinner is that he will go (vs. 8).
God instructs Isaiah, as He instructs us today when He calls us to serve Him. Isaiah is eager to serve the Lord because he has seen Him and has been cleansed by Him.
Jehovah gives Isaiah directions regarding his service. It is God’s prerogative to give instruction regarding serving Him.
Isaiah is informed that the service will be hard because of wicked and evil men (vs. 9-10). Isaiah is instructed to continue ministering to and warning them concerning their sins.
Isaiah is instructed to be faithful and never give up in giving out God’s message to men (11-12). Service to God is a lifelong commitment. God calls His servants to serve until death.
Many things may interfere with service for God. However, the person who has a true vision of God and has been cleansed by the blood of Christ should never, under any circumstances, want to “give up” or stop serving our Holy, Savior God.