In the year of King Uzziah's death I
saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train
of his robe filling the temple. Isaiah 6:1
Uzziah is an interesting read...a king
who started well by worshiping the Holy God of Israel. He was a good
king, and God prospered him. But getting God's approval can do funny
things to a person. He decided he didn't just want to be king, but
also priest. He decided that he was going to present the holy fire in
the temple and the priests tried to stop him. But you know how
powerful men are. He took the offering in, and God struck him with
leprosy. He ran from the temple in shame and despair, and he became
a ruler only behind the scenes. His son Jotham took over the public
rule of the country. Pride does go before a fall.
When most of us look at this passage,
we rush past those first 6 words and into the exciting part of his
wonderful passage of scripture. But I think those words are there for
our benefit. It not only sets up the time period of this happening in
Isaiah's life, but the context for what was probably on Isaiah's
mind.
Every time there was a new king in
those days, there was the question of which type of king would take
their place. Even though there was usually family succession, the
kingdoms varied greatly. Some kings would follow God, tear down
altars and idols, and God would bless. Others would set up idols and
lead the people into great sin. I can imagine Isaiah sitting there,
pondering the future of his country, much like I do today. Congress
was sworn in yesterday and I wonder what kind of people we have
elected and if God will be able to bless, or if we will be plunged
into more sin, more walking away from the ways of God.
Well, God is great. He answers Isaiah's
question with Himself. Who is on the throne? God. Not Jotham. Not any
man. God. And this was not some puny throne and a robe and crown.
This God was on a throne lofty and exalted...placed high up where all
of heaven could see Him. He is sitting in the temple...now this is a
vision, so if it is the temple of worship on earth or heaven we are
not told, but you can still imagine that it has to be pretty big
because the heavenly hosts are flying about, and the burning coal is
taken from the altar. Was this the altar that Uzziah had tried to
use, with its burning coals? Again, who knows but God. But in this
space, God is clothed with a robe whose train length covered every
inch of the floor of the place. He is clothed in majesty. He is
taking up every space in His Holy Place. There is no room in this
place for the feet of man nor angel. God's robe took all of that
space. The angels flew to do His bidding, including the purifying
work of purging sin. That train was just a part of God's message to
Isaiah. He was ultimately the King of both worlds. He knew the
beginning from the end. He was in control of the means and ends of
His people. When they would worship He would rule in love. When they
would not listen to His counsel, they would be punished so that they
would return a purified people later.
Isaiah I can relate to. His job was to
tell people God's warning, and God tells him that they will not
listen. Some of us have kids who will not hear us. (Hi, kids! Love
you!) Now I must confess that I was one, as well. For some dumb
reason we refuse to hear our authorities that are in the Lord,
thinking we are so much wiser, better, whatever. Then God grows us up
and gives us the same assignment...and we see our own hard hearts.
Repentance and tears, pain and heartbreak ensue. We are not alone in
this. Most parents have their kids question their every move. Some
bosses or supervisors never get the benefit of the doubt or the ear
of those who could learn from their knowledge.
But there is the train. It is not the
sceptor, the rod of iron. It is the beauty of God, the regalness. It
is the splendor and majesty of a robe that cannot be equaled. If we
tried to wear a robe that big, it would weigh so much that we
wouldn't be able to move. It would weigh us down. We would be stuck
sitting there. But God is not limited at all by his train. It is just
an extension of who He is. It covers the unsacred parts of our being.
There is no floor to His love, no dirt in His presence. There would
be no feet or shoes there...in His presence, all is Holy Ground.
There is no need to question our future, for He is in control, and
nothing is in our power, as much as that unsettles us.
Like Isaiah, we should offer ourselves
as His ministers here on earth, and leave the consequences to Him.
Some will hear, and but most will not. And yet it is ok. We can be in
His Holiness, and hope in Him, regardless. Admire the robe, and let
it fill the temple of your heart.
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