quote:

"Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, 'Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.'"

quote:

Originally posted by Elianna:
ISAIAH
Isaiah 6:6-7

quote:

"Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, 'Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.'"

The sight of a holy God and the sound of holy worship brought great conviction to Isaiah's heart, compelling him to cry out with a confession, "Woe is me, for I am undone". One seraph then flew from the group and with tongs took a hot coal from the altar. He flew to Isaiah, touching the coal to Isaiah's lips. There was symbolism in this act which the seraph interpreted so Isaiah would understand what had taken place. The coal taken from the altar was a symbol of forgiveness. Had this scene taken place on earth, the coal would most likely have been taken from the altar where innocent blood had been shed. The fire, though a symbol of purifying, could not of itself cleanse from sin. The cleansing and purifying work can only be that of God. That Isaiah's sins were forgiven is verified by the word of the Lord - "your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven".

Isaiah, like all sinners, needed forgiveness which only God could give. Isaiah's conviction led to his confession and his confession led to cleansing. 1 John 1:9 tells us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

For Isaiah, however, there was also a future consequence of the Lord bringing him into higher prominence so that he would have greater influence over Judah. The implication is that before we can minister to others, we must allow God to minister to us. Isaiah humbled himself before a holy God and permitted God through his messenger to do a healing work in him. Let us be careful to humble ourselves and not let pride become an obstacle to salvation or to whatever God wants to work in us and others for His honor and glory.