T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
513
Isaiah out of weakness is made strong. H e , does not ask when or where or how, bu t replies a t once, “Here am I; send me.” Many go who are no t sent. They choose th e ir own fields. The fields are white bu t few are w illing to have God choose th e field. Many others have no consciousness of a definite call and are Always indefinite or indifferent to ser vice. Did Isaiah make a m istake in saying “Send m e?” Have not millions been blessed in reading and studying the matchless messages of his prophecy? Are you sure you are in His will? If not, su rrend er and say, out of a h eart full of g ratitude, “Here am I; send me” and rest in His will for a life of service. PERTINENT QUESTIONS (1 ) W hat intim ation of Isaiah ’s character is revealed in his first message? (2 Ki. 19:1-7). (2) ' W hat prom ise did Isaiah give concerning th e coming days? (2 :1 -5 ). (3) W hat transform ing vision did Isaiah have? (6 :1 -8 ). (4 ) W hat splendid reply did he give to God’s call? (6 :8 ). (6) W hat prom ise was given by ■ him concerninng th e Messiah’s kingdom? (9 :6 ; 7 :1 1 ). (6) W hat prom ise did he give con cerning th e final re tu rn of th e Jews? (Chapter 35). - (7) W hat wonderful picture of Christ’s sacrifice did he give? (Chapter 53). (8) W hat did he say about th e day 1of God’s vengeance? (Chapter 63).
and made him the DEVOTIONAlt man he was. After-; COMMENT T^ard he saw every- By F . W. F a r r thing in th e ligh t of th a t glory. Paul cried, “Have I not seen the L o rd?” and the vision made him a m inister and a w itness to Jew and Gentile. Accord ing to Jno. .12:38-41, it was th e E tern al Son of God whom Isaiah saw. As a resu lt of th is vision th e prophet had an overwhelming sense of sin and th e judgm ent of God upon it. He had an all-pervading sense of the Divine power and holiness. He had a clear under standing of Christ and his salvation as well as his ultim ate universal domin ion. The experience of Isaiah should be repeated in every Christian worker. The sight of th e Divine glory made him say, “Woe is me, for I am undone.” This is conviction. I t w rung from him the cry, “ I am a man of unclean lips.” This was confession. The angel laid a live coal upon his lips and his1 sin was purged. This was cleansing. He th en responded, “Here am I, send me.” Here was consecration. The Lord then said, “Go.” This was his commission. A personal interview w ith the Lord of glory, resu lting in a broken and a con trite h eart, entire consecration and a definite call to service. The lips of the Lord’s servant must be burned by the live coal from th e heavenly altar. Then they will not be filled w ith th e excel lent speech of human wisdom b u t will declare the whole counsel of God. The scorners of Isaiah ’s tim e complained of his simple and oft-repeated message, line upon line and precept upon pre cept, as if th e h earers were little chil dren. i The vision of God took away th e fear of man. The prophet’s attitu d e toward sin is uncompromising. He de nounces fraud, hypocrisy, ido latry and apostasy w ithout fear or favor. To one king he says, “ Is it a small th ing for you to weary men, bu t must ye weary
Isaiah records his call to th e of fice of prophet in the sixth chapter of his prophecy. He had a vision of God which changed the cu rren t of his life
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker