Isaiah 6 - A Couple of Thoughts

Had to lead a House group Bible Study on Isaiah 6 last night. I've had a couple of weeks to prepare it, but people always seem to ask the questions that you don't think of when trying to prepare. There were a couple of things to come out of it that I think are useful to remember;

• The comparison between the LORD ALMIGHTY sat on the throne in heaven; and the sinful and fallen King Uzziah that has just died. Whatever Israel (Judah) may think, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is all-powerful and in charge.
  
  This is as true today as it was then - however much we may despair at our political (and perhaps spiritual) leaders - if we follow Christ we will not go wrong.
  
  
• Isaiah realised his sinfulness - both personally and as the representative of the people:

  "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips"

  Beacuse he realised his sinfulness, and had faith in God, he was able to have his sin atoned for. It is instructive to note that this happened before he had to take God's word to the people, and so we see that he takes his message having been cleansed of his sin through atonement.
  
  Perhaps in the same way we should ensure that we are cleansed and convicted of our own sin before preaching the gospel to all. Certainly it appears that a large amount of the hypocrisy taunts thrown at the church in general (usually due to a specific personal failure of some leader or other) would be reduced if leaders were prepared to acknowledge their failures and weaknesses more often.