We now continue our devotional series on the two-fold calling (to salvation and to service) of Isaiah. Remember in this series we will be looking to learn more about the One who is calling Isaiah, along with the nature of the calls and an examination of the submission to these calls by Isaiah…
Isaiah 6:2 - Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
As Isaiah’s vision continues, he sees creatures that he calls “seraphims” that stood above the throne of God. What are these seraphims? In the context of this vision, the seraphims are symbolic of those who are saved and are now taking the gospel message to the lost. Why do we say this? Let’s look at the seraphims’ description found in this text…
First, we will study the meaning of the name “seraphim”. The Hebrew word translated seraphim means “burning, or fire colored”. Apparently their color ranged from a yellow/orange to a deep orange (brassy) color. The color of the seraphim is the first indicator they are individuals who have been saved by God’s grace. Remember, fire is used as an agent of purification throughout God’s Word. In Zechariah, we find that fire is a picture of the agent used to purify God’s people when He saves them. This salvation of God’s people is pictured as taking place “by fire” in Zech 13:9…
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.
Based upon their coloring we can see that the seraphims are a picture of God’s people. They have been touched by the “purifying fire” of God and have been made members of God’s family and kingdom. How does this take place? The Lord took upon Himself the punishment of sin so that we might be made pure through His shed blood. 1 Peter 2:21-25…
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Today let us praise our Lord…. He has gone through the “fires” of God’s judgment as He hung on the cross. He bore the “fires” of God’s judgment so that we would never have to face them. But then, because He died for us, the “purifying fire” of God could be applied to us and used to take away our sin, leaving us pure and without stain before Him! What a blessing it is to escape God’s fire of judgment but allowed to be totally immersed in His purifying fire of salvation! Let’s live our lives today honoring Him for this great work on our behalf!
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
(Please note: In this same text, we are told that the seraphims have six wings.. in our next lesson we will see how the wings of the seraphims help us to understand they are symbols of those saved by God’s grace.)
No comments:
Post a Comment