FIRST QUARTER 2021

SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #2

JANUARY 9, 2021

“CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP”

 

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1, NKJV)

This quarter we have the luxury of a companion study book, “Treasures in Isaiah”, by 1888 messenger E. J. Waggoner. Originally, these articles were published in the Present Truth periodical. More recently they were compiled into the book. Excerpts from Brother Waggoner's commentary on chapter 6, the topic of this week's lesson, are posted here:

“I saw Jehovah.” Compare John 12:37-41 with verses 9 and 10 of this chapter, and it will be seen that it was Christ Whom Isaiah saw in His glory. From this we learn something of the wondrous glory of our Redeemer, and what He gave up for the sake of saving us. He is the effulgence of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person. Hebrews 1:1, 2. The glory which He had with the Father before the world began is His now (John 17:5), and He gives it to us, for we shall be “glorified together.” Romans 8:17. PTUK January 26, 1899, page 66.9

“His train filled the temple.” The word rendered “train” is the same that in Jeremiah 13:22, 26, and other places is translated “skirts,” and in Exodus 28:33, 34; 39:24, 25, 26, is translated “hem.” The hem or skirt of His garment filled the temple.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 66.10

“What is this garment? Here is the answer: “O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain.” Psalm 104:1, 2. The light and glory of the Lord is His clothing; His train, that filled the temple, was His glory.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 66.11

“The whole earth is full of Thy glory.” That is, the garment with which the Lord covers Himself is the fulness of the earth. Not only the temple in heaven, but the whole earth is filled with the hem of His garment. Now remember that when Jesus was here in the flesh, all that was needed for the healing of a poor, afflicted woman was that she should “touch the hem of His garment.” So wherever we are, we are to reach for the hem of that garment which brings life and health and salvation.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 66.12

“The healing of the seamless drums
Is by our beds of pain;
We touch Him in life's throng and press,
And we are whole again.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 66.13

“Above it stood the seraphim.” Or, “above Him stood the seraphim.” The Hebrew does not distinguish between masculine and neuter. In this case it amounts to the same thing, for above the throne would be above the Lord. The word “seraphim” means “burning ones.” The difference, if any, between them and cherubim, is not revealed; but we read in Ezekiel 28:14 about the “anointed cherub that covereth;” and on the cover to the ark in the tabernacle of Moses were figures of cherubim overshadowing the glory of the Lord.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.2

“Each seraph covered his face with two of his wings, as unable or unworthy to look directly upon God. Yet the redeemed saints “shall see His face.” Revelation 22:4. Oh, marvellous privilege accorded to the sons of Adam! to be on such terms of intimacy with the God of hosts as is not permitted even to the highest of the unfallen angels. And to show the special favour granted to humble followers of Christ even now, He says, “in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10. This shows that there is a difference, and that the angels who are specially commissioned to guard the faithful of earth, have access to the Father to a degree that others do not. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” “One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4. PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.3

“Woe is me; for I am undone, cut off, struck dumb; because I, a man of unclean lips, have seen the King, and the Lord of hosts.” It was the sight of the Lord that made Isaiah conscious of his own imperfection. Job said, “Now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor myself.” Job 42:5, 6. The sight of the Lord makes known the presence of sin, and either removes the sin, or destroys the sinner, according to the circumstances under which He is seen.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.4

“This hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” It is fire from the altar, which, when cast on the earth, works destruction. The same fire that cleanses those who confess their sins, consumes those who cling to them. The saints of God, having been tried in the fire, as gold, and having had all the alloy of sin purged away by it, can dwell amid everlasting burnings which will consume the wicked like chaff. Read Malachi 3:2, 3; Isaiah 33:14, 15.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.5

“Mark how quickly Isaiah's sins were removed. All he did was to acknowledge that he was a sinner. As soon as he said, “I am a man of unclean lips,” the angel touched him with the coal from God's altar, saying, “Thine iniquity is taken away.” “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Only acknowledge your sin, and you may know that it is gone. Some sincere souls say: “I have confessed all the sins I know of, and I am resolved not to stop until I have discovered every sin in my character, and have confessed it; so that I may be forgiven.” Why, you could not nearly enumerate all your sins in a lifetime. They are more than can be numbered. Isaiah did the whole thing at once: “I am a man of unclean lips,” which meant that he was unclean in heart. The publican said: “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” and went to his house justified. Be assured that if you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner, you are forgiven.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.6

“God saves men only for service. The object of our cleansing is not merely that we may escape destruction, but that we may be messengers of salvation. As soon as the Lord had cleansed Isaiah from sin, He called out, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” It was a general question, yet intended specially for the ears of Isaiah. And the prophet heard, and immediately responded, “Here am I; send me.” God reconciles us to Himself by Christ, and puts the word of reconciliation in us, that we, in the place of Christ, may be agents for reconciling others. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. He says, Come! and then to all who heed the call, He says, “Go!” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.7

“The Lord has said that there will be but few saved. So, He fortified Isaiah against discouragement, by letting him know at the outset what the result of his message would be. He was to carry a message whose effect would be to harden hearts, and make people blind and deaf to the truth.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.8

“Look at John 12:37, and you will see what sort of a message it is that hardens men's hearts. “Though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him.” Yet the miracles were done and recorded solely for the purpose of enabling people to believe on Jesus, and to obtain life through His name. John 20:30, 31. And some did believe. Thus, we see that it is the tender mercy of God that hardens men. “Let favour be shown to the wicked, yet will he not learn uprightness.” Isaiah 26:10. But God is clear. How can any soul hold God responsible for his unbelief, when it was the goodness of God, which leads men to repentance, that hardened him?” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.9

“How long is this commission to Isaiah to be in force? - Until the end of the world. “Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.” But Isaiah is long since dead. True, but the message is still to be given; for remember that the Lord made His call general, and not particularly to Isaiah. “Who will go for us?” He is waiting for agents, and is anxious to use every one who will allow his sin to be purged. We are to be “ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1), and this readiness is gained through the cleansing power of God. God will use the instrument that is ready at hand when His work is to be done. This chapter emphasizes what was set forth in the article, “The Time of the Promise,” at the beginning of this study in Isaiah, namely, that Isaiah's prophecy was especially for the last days. We do not need to make any interpretation, but simply take it as applying now. Although it was so long ago, the people who then heard his words were in the same condition and circumstances that the people of these days are. They did not profit by the message. Let us therefore give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, and fear lest, a promise having been left us, any of us should come short of it, and fall after the same example of unbelief.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 67.10

“Although destruction be determined upon all the land, a remnant shall be saved. “As a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remaineth, when they are felled; so the holy seed is the stock thereof.” The holy seed, the humble believers in Christ, are the seed that prevents the earth from total and irretrievable ruin. As a tree will sprout and grow again, although cut down, so although the earth be made desolate, the few men who are left-the righteous ones-will be the sprout that will spring up and cause the whole earth to be renewed. “Israel shall blossom, and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:6.” PTUK January 26, 1899, page 68.1

 

Read more of Waggoner's commentary on Isaiah

~Patti Guthrie