Thrones of Scripture
Part 2
Jehovah’s Throne
A Throne of Holiness
There were several men chosen to whom Jehovah’s thone was revealed: Moses and his elders, King David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and John the Apostle. In that throne they saw perfect beauty, absolute equity, and supreme authority.
Its place was in Heaven (Psa. 11:4); its duration, eternal (Psa. 45:6); and its character, holiness (Psa. 47:8).
Two kings were seen by Isaiah the prophet, one upon an earthly throne, the Other upon a heavenly throne: the Lord of Hosts (Isa. 6:5), and Uzziah (Isa. 1:1. 2 Chron. 26:16).
What a contrast there was between Isaiah the prophet and Uzziah the king! Isaiah entered the presence of the Lord in humility; Uzziah, in pride. Isaiah confessed himself as a man of unclean lips who dwelt in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Uzziah left the presence of the Lord crying, “unclean.” Isaiah went forth to serve the Lord; Uzziah was thrust forth to perish.
“Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with Thee?” (Psa. 94:20). Notice Isaiah’s experience before the Throne of Jehovah.
His confession: “Woe is me,” he cried. This was a confession of sin and unfitness in the presence of God’s holiness. God’s holiness was attested by the seraphim’s action, by the angelic proclamation, by the sinner’s confession, and by the witness of the altar.
His cleansing: the interjection “Lo,” calls upon Isaiah to behold, to see, that he had been cleansed by sacrifice. An altar of sacrifice was before the throne and the fire was seen burning on it.
Isaiah had confessed himself a man of unclean lips. His lips were now cleansed by the touch of a live coal from off the altar. His lips were cleansed and ready to deliver God’s message.
His consecration: “Here am I!” the prophet exclaimed. His response to the call of Jehovah was that of a consecrated servant. The voice from the throne called, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” In humble dedication, Isaiah replied, “Here am I; send me.”
His commission: “Go” was the command from the Divine Sovereign. Isaiah went forth from the august presence fully commissioned to go to a rebellious nation with a message of judgment, judgment because of human sin and divine holiness.
We can measure our likeness to Christ by the range of our sensitiveness to the sorrow and pain of others.
Too often we become subordinant to the transient. — William MacDonald.