Isaiah 5-6: When God Calls

Luke 13:34-35 - on the way to be crucified, Jesus shows his feelings
God desire is ALWAYS that his people would turn to him so that he can cleanse them and use them to call others

Chapter 5: God’s Call to Israel – name means “He struggles with God”

1. He has revealed himself but they did not respond (1-7)
   
2. He speaks a word of rebuke (8-24)
   
3. He has sent and will send his discipline (25-30)
   

Chapter 6: God’s Call to Isaiah – name means “Yahweh is salvation”

1. He reveals himself to Isaiah (revelation of holiness – "God is great, God is good...")
   
2. He speaks a word of cleansing (revelation of atonement)
   
3. He sends Isaiah on His mission (revelation of love for the world)

Two paths:

• Conviction > Rebuke > Discipline
  
• Conviction > Cleansing > Commission
  

God is always wanting to reveal more of himself to us. If we respond to him, we grow as he reveals himself in stronger and better ways and we get to go with him on His mission. If we reject him, he must reveal himself in stronger and stronger discipline.

Gen. 3 - Adam sees God in the garden
Luke 5:1-11 - Peter sees Jesus in a new way (naturally)
Rev. 1 - John sees Jesus in a new way (supernaturally)
Ex. 34:29-35 - Moses sees God and his face glows

Some of us are really stuck at conviction because we, like Adam, are scared to look at the holiness of God. So let’s go there. Let’s think about, pray about, meditate on the glory of God, the holiness, the majesty, the fearful awesome wonder of the king on His throne. Let’s ask him to reveal himself – it could be like John or like Peter – so that our faces can reflect his glory like Moses. See 2 Cor. 3:7-18. That’s how I want to live.

Food for thought:
Read Hebrews 9:23-28, 10:12-14, and 12:18-29 and think about how these passages temper and enrich this passage. Isaiah was witness to this heavenly temple and benefited by the one sacrifice for all. That is crazy.

Other Resources:

• A.W. Tozer - Knowledge of the Holy - this is an amazing book
• A.W. Tozer - The Attributes of God - similar theme, but different book, also very good
• John Piper on Isaiah 6 - This is amazing stuff. I was tempted to just read this sermon instead of trying to say anything of my own. Please read this.