Come Bible Study with Me (Isaiah 6)

Welcome back to the Bible study blog! We made it through the first 5 chapters of Isaiah. We are now in chapter 6, one of my favorites. Although chapters 1-5 came before this one, chapter 6 is actually noted as the beginning of Isaiah's journey, his call by the LORD. 

We will summarize this chapter using a new strategy, asking questions. As in any other text we might read, some of our answers to our questions can be directly answered from the text. Others, we would need to make some inferences based on the clues provided, our background knowledge, and the background knowledge of the chapter/verse we are reading. 

This literacy strategy is the most common one used while reading. You would just ask questions (or write them down) as you are reading, anything that would help you better grasp the understanding of the scripture. 

Let's begin! Here are my list of questions and answers as I read through the chapter:

Why is Isaiah 6 not chapter 1?
The commentary I checked shares that it's probably because Isaiah wanted to show the depravity of Israel before explaining his calling to prophecy to them. It also states that Isaiah 6 is not the beginning of his ministry, but a new assignment. This may have been near the beginning of his ministry. 

What's happening in verses 1-5?
Isaiah is answering God's call. He sees a vision of the LORD sitting high on a great throne with seraphim flying in His presence and cry, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts. This takes place while he is in the temple. Isaiah responds with humility and honor, "Woe is me." He recognizes himself as a sinner before the Holy God. 

What is the meaning of the seraphim touching his mouth with the burning coal? 
The meaning of this was stated in the text. It represented the LORD's atonement for Isaiah. His guilt was taken away and God had equipped him to speak his holy messages to the people of Israel and their leaders.

How does Isaiah respond to God's commission? 
Isaiah tells God, "Here I am. Send me." This represented complete surrender without hesitation. He never shrank back, even when the LORD shared that the majority wouldn't change. He was going to pronounce God's righteous judgment. Isaiah only asked God clarifying questions about His instructions, "How long should I prophesy to them?"

What stood out the most?
The thing that stood out to me the most was Isaiah's heart for the LORD. He recognized the greatness of our LORD. He didn't have a prideful heart about being given such an honor to see HIM on HIS throne. NO, his heart was a heart of humility, and God knew He could trust him. 

What's the possible theme of this chapter?
The theme is "No matter how difficult the call, obedience to God can bring hope to someone else."

How did Isaiah show that his heart was surrendered to God? 

Isaiah asked God, "How long would you like me to prophesy to the people." This indicated that he was willing to obey God and needed His specific instructions on how to do that. 

Now, let's dive deeper: 
As usual, we will take a few minutes to answer the 4 questions below either in our Bible or a journal. Notice these are focused on Isaiah.

Once you're done, return here for the next part. 

1. What lie did Isaiah believe? 
He believed he was too sinful.  

2. What truth did God reveal about Himself to Isaiah?

The holiness of God was revealed through the seraphim. In addition, His power and authority was shown as Isaiah saw Him "high and lifted up sitting upon a throne." 

Finally, God revealed that He is the one who takes away sin (atonement). Therefore, He made Isaiah ready to be used by Him. 


3. How did the lie Isaiah believed distort his identity? 
He identified himself as a lost man of unclean lips, unworthy to be used by the God who made him.

4. What was Isaiah's purpose as revealed to Him by God?
God sent him to prophesy to Israel (to warn them to turn back) "until the cities lie waste without inhabitants."  

How was Isaiah the HOPE for the people....

Now use my HOPE acronym and journal how Isaiah was HOPE for the people by answering the questions below. Feel free to change or add your own questions as well. 

H (Spiritual Healing) - How did Isaiah attempt to assist Judah and Jerusalem with their spiritual health? 
O - (Overcoming) - How would he overcome the people's rejection in order to continue to obey God? 
P - (Purpose) - How was his purpose as a prophet intended to bring the people hope? 
E - (Eternal Perspective) - How is Isaiah perspective an eternal one that differs from the people's in chapters 1-5? 


Finally, take a few moments to journal the application question below:

​How are you someone else's hope as you obey God and move in His purpose for your life? 




So, what did you think about the "Questioning Strategy as a summary?" I enjoy asking questions while I read. It's simple and impacts my Bible study each time.

What were your "diving deeper" and HOPE acronym answers for chapter 6? 


Thank you for stopping by the blog! 

Be Blessed & Keep Studying with "HOPE in CHRIST"
Denise M. Walker
Founder of Hope-in-Christ Ministries