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Before we proceed to the examination of this most important section of Isaiah's
prophecy it will be well for us to get a measure of its structure, so that we may be guided
in our study in the direction of the inspired intention. No existing structure appears to
give the true place to the two references to the eretz (earth, land), nor the threefold
response of Isaiah, "Then said I". Accordingly, we approach the chapter afresh, and
present to the reader what we believe comprehends the essential features in their
structural relationship.
Isaiah 6:
A | 1. Uzziah. Type of Israel, Failure.
B | 2, 3. The thrice Holy Lord.
C | 3, 4. Eretz (earth). Fullness of it, the glory of the Lord.
D1 | 5-8. |
a | Then said 1: CONFESSION; Unclean.
b | And He said. CLEANSING; Eyes, lips, hearing.
D2 | 8-10. |
a | Then said 1: CONSECRATION; Send me.
b | And He said. COMMISSION; Hear, eyes, heart.
D3 | 11. |
a | Then said 1: COMMISERATION; Lord, how long?
b | And He answered. COMMINATION; Until wasted, desolate.
C | 12. Eretz (land). Forsaking in midst of it.
A | 13. Sacred Tithe. Type of Remnant. Return.
B | 13. The holy seed.
In Volume XXIX, page 208 we have given the whole history of the Kings of Israel
and Judah as they are associated with the House of God, and it will be seen that the
central member of the whole outline is occupied with the reigns of Uzziah and his son
Jotham. The history of the Kingdom reaches its lowest level at the presumption and
leprosy of King Uzziah who, in his presumption and in his doom himself foreshadowed
the future Antichrist. This gives point to the opening words of the vision:
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and
lifted up, and His train filled the temple" (Isa. 6: 1).
Here we have a solemn contrast drawn between Uzziah, the King, stricken with
leprosy because of his own sin, and the Lord, the King, Who was treated as a leper by the
very people for whom He came to die (Isa. 53: 3), and Who will accomplish all that is
implied in the office of King and Priest.
John 12: leaves us in no doubt that the "King" seen by Isaiah in this vision was
Christ, for after quoting Isa. 6: 9, 10, the Evangelist adds:
"These things said Esaias when he saw His glory, and spake of Him" (John 12: 41).