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Acts 2:34-41 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Acts 2:34-41

(PRT)

vv. 34-35 For David did not rise again into the heavens, but he himself says: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand at the place of authority and honor, even while I put your enemies under your feet like a footstool.’ v. 36 Therefore, all Israel, you can know with all confidence that God has made this same Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. v. 37 And grasping all of this, the crowds were pierced to the heart and called out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles: “Brothers, what do we have to do?” vv. 38-39 Peter then urged them: “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for your sins’ forgiveness, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is to you, to your children, and to everyone who is far away, as many as our Lord and God will call.” v. 40 And he warned them with many more words and encouraged them: “Choose to be saved from this warped and deceitful generation!” v. 41  Then those who accepted his words were baptized and around 3000 were added to their number that day.

Study Notes:

vv. 34-35 For David did not rise again into the heavens, but he himself says: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand at the place of authority and honor, even while I put your enemies under your feet like a footstool.’

David didn’t ascend, or rise, into the heavens. In other words, he was buried just like all people.

This refers back to the other Psalm reference and the resurrection. If David, the King most revered, didn’t rise untainted by corruption, who will fulfil this prophecy? Look for the one who rises to the heavens without decay. That would be Jesus.

The main point Peter makes from this verse is that David, though a great King and revered, was not Lord. Rather, the Lord is in the place of authority and honor.

The enemies are those hostile to the Lord’s plans, the adversarial ones in opposition to His will.

He doesn’t take the place of authority and honor after all the hostiles are taken down; He is there now as the Kingdom of God comes in fulness.

During these days, if a conquering king was present, the enemies (or at least the opposing ruler) would kneel and the conqueror would set his foot on the necks of the vanquished. This signified total defeat and allegiance in servitude.

Jesus the King is conquering those at odds with him by His love and grace; and those hostile who never turn are being set in their places. The Kingdom is casting down the works of the enemy.

v. 36 Therefore, all Israel, you can know with all confidence that God has made this same Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Messiah.

Jesus the miracle worker has now sent the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit (Joel), He has conquered death (David’s Psalm) and He sits in the place of authority and honor in the heavens (David’s Psalm). Based on this Biblical account from the OT, the knowledge they have of Jesus walking among them, and the present Holy Spirit, it can only mean one thing: Jesus is Lord and Messiah. And the Father has made this so!

The word for all confidence means a certainty. The word for “can know” is one that means with head and heart.

The Greek phrase means to slip or trip. You can know without a slip or trip that God has done this.

He calls on all Jews to know this since they are the recipients of the prophecies, they can know with confidence that Jesus is Lord and Messiah.

Juxtapose this cold-hearted response to the Messiah with Luke 19:41 when Jesus looks over Jerusalem and weeps for them.

v. 37 And grasping all of this, the crowds were pierced to the heart and called out to Peter and the rest of the Apostles: “Brothers, what do we have to do?”

The verb means “what, in light of all you’ve said and all we have done to Jesus, must we do?” God’s Spirit brings conviction to the heart for repentance and redemption. This is what happens when the Good News is shared with confident passion to people who get it. They get right with God.

The hearers were moved to remorse at their actions and ignorance. Now they knew. And we know that the Holy Spirit is active in making this known.

vv. 38-39 Peter then urged them: “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for your sins’ forgiveness, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is to you, to your children, and to everyone who is far away, as many as our Lord and God will call.”

If you are uncertain what the crowd meant by “what do we do” Peter makes it clear: acknowledge you are culpable, you’ve failed God and turn from a life that does so. Announce it to the world through baptism, but not like John’s – in the Name. You’ll get the Holy Spirit, you’ll be forgiven, and the promise will be realized in Him.

Peter is speaking to “everyone” and at the same time “each one.” This is a people movement of all, one at a time, who repent, goes to the waters, receives the Spirit.

I can’t see that there is a progression of the order of actions here, since at the end, he asserts that the promise is to whoever God calls. From this, I see acknowledging Jesus as both Lord and Messiah, repentance, and a public declaration all fully together as our response to the Good News;  the Father’s response is forgiveness, relationship with the Father, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Luke has Jesus instructing the disciples to bear witness and call people to repentance so they can be forgiven (Luke 24). Matthew’s account of the Great Commission includes baptism (Mt. 28:19). Even in Peter’s first sermon, the nations are include – “all who are far off”.

All Israel, you know the prophecies and you can connect it all together; but to all the world, the invitation is this: turn away from a life without God to the Savior Jesus, show the world your new allegiance, and be filled with the Spirit of God.

v. 40 And he warned them with many more words and encouraged them: “Choose to be saved from this warped and deceitful generation!”

The word could mean teachings and instead of warn, declare or speak. Warn fits what come right before and right after this word.  What kind of age, season, nation or generation are they in? One that is warped in thinking and perverse in action. This generation was not thinking or talking straight and their actions were deviant and corrupt. What is our response to such? Find the place of safety and be delivered to a secure place.

“Save yourself by being saved” is the intensity; in other words, You have before you how to be saved, choose to be saved.

The age they lived in was heading toward destruction and Jesus stands in the gap.

v. 41  Then those who accepted his words were baptized and around 3000 were added to their number that day.

We always say 3000, but this affirms that they didn’t get an exact count. More or less. It was 3000-ish. Not worth the quibbling, but they had more on their minds than click off the people counter. There were now 3120 (or 3500, if you go by the 500 on the hillside); and they needed to be disciples in the ways of Jesus.

While many say numbers don’t matter – it’s the quality, not the quantity –  Acts shows a different perspective. Both are important. Here is the quantitative; vv. 42-47 is the qualitative. And in the signs and wonders of the Pentecost outpouring and Joel’s passage, we have the corroborative. Numbers, character, and evidence all point to the Gospel’s power.

Were they all baptized that day? There were pools and water features around the city so it could be possible. Not all of the 3000 stayed after the Pentecost feast; but they left saved and  baptized to live for Christ in their home town under the leadership of God’ Promised Spirit.

Small Group Questions:

Acts 2:34-41

  1. Who gives best directions in your family? Or how are you at giving directions?
  2. If you were in the crowd when Peter said v. 36 how you have felt? How does this verse apply to you since you were in Jerusalem calling for Jesus’ crucifixion.
  3. Of the three questions – Who’s in Charge of my life? Where did I go wrong? How do I get back on track? – which is most relevant to your life today? Why?
  4. How can we pray for you tonight?

Acts 2:25-33 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT)

vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I see the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, I celebrate and rejoice inside and out and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.” V. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you fill me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.” V. 29 People, let me speak very freely with you about this. You know that David, our founding ancestor, died and was buried. His burial monument is here and  you can see it even today. V. 30 Since he was a prophet, he understood that God promised on his word that he would set one of his descendants on His throne.” V. 31 He saw this coming and talked about the resurrection of the Messiah, that he would neither be left helpless and alone in the grave nor would his body experience decay. V. 32 This same Jesus is the one whom God has raised from the dead! We all saw this! V. 33 By God’s strong hand, Jesus is lifted up to the place of honor and received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. Now He is pouring out what you are both seeing and hearing today.

vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I see the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, I celebrate and rejoice inside and out and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.”

Psalm 16. This was and is even now moreso a Messianic psalm. Live on hope means to set up the tent but also that the foundation of the tent site is hope. Live on hope, not a sustenance but as foundation.

I will rejoice with my heart and celebrate with my tongue.

v. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you fill me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.”

The path toward real life, as opposed to the death that held him for three days. Psalm 16. It could be “the joy of your Presence.”

v. 29 People, let me speak very freely with you about this. You know that David, our founding ancestor, died and was buried. His burial monument is here and  you can see it even today.

Not to be macabre, but Peter is making it clear. This King David that has been such a central part of Jewish history is still in the tomb. People stop by and visit and remember David at this grave memorial. But this Jesus left this grave. You can’t visit his body somewhere. He is risen.

v. 30 Since he was a prophet, he understood that God promised on his word that he would set one of his descendants on His throne.”

The child is the fruit of his loins.  Someone from the line of his seed. David perceived this promise given with surety (like an oath or vow) to him by God. His throne would see his child, or his son.

v. 31 He saw this coming and talked about the resurrection of the Messiah, that he would neither be left helpless and alone in the grave nor would his body experience decay.

He foresaw and announced the Messiah’s resurrection. Christ would not be abandoned and the corruption and decomposition that comes with death would not touch him.

v. 32 This same Jesus is the one whom God has raised from the dead! We all saw this!

Peter is making a clear parallel of David the King of Israel and Jesus King of Kings. David died and his body decomposed; Jesus never saw decomposition touch him. It’s all because God the Father raised God the Son from the grave. We are the witnesses. We saw Him alive. The word for witness is the same as martyr, ironic in that nearly all who stood with Peter would be martyred for their witness. The word can also mean: to go on record. These followers of Jesus had a record – they saw Jesus alive.

V. 33 By God’s strong hand, Jesus is lifted up to the place of honor and received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. Now He is pouring out what you are both seeing and hearing today.

The right hand of God. Jesus is exalted. The parallel of Jesus being lifted up from the dead and lifted up above all people for honor is clear. He received it without measure; he is pouring it out without measure. This is the invitation of the Good News: you no longer have to be separated from the Father in death. His invitation to you is to trust who He is and that what He has done can remove the death sentence of sin from  your life. Because He died on the Cross, you can be forgiven. Because He conquered death, you can enjoy eternity with Him in heaven. Because He ascended to the Father after his resurrection, you can know the power of the Holy Spirit living inside you.

Acts 1:12-26 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Translation:

(PRT)

v.12 Then they left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem which is only a half mile, or what was allowed for a Sabbath’s Day walk. v. 13 And when they arrived at the home, they went up to the upper story where they were staying; not only Peter and John, but also James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James (Alpheus’ son) and Simon (who was a Zealot), and Judas (James’ son). v. 14 All of them were steadfastly devoted to one another, attuned in life and united in prayer. They were there together with the women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his brothers. v. 15 Then, during these days, Peter took the floor in front of the brothers and sisters, whose names numbered together by this time 120. v. 16 Men, and brothers and sisters, it had to happen so that the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David would be fulfilled regarding Judas, the one guilty of guiding those who arrested Jesus. v. 17 For he was counted with us, he threw in his lot, and he had a share in this ministry. v. 18 Now, of course, this man, with the payment collected from Judas’ unrighteousness, bought a field;  then having become bloated and distended Judas fell in, ruptured in the middle, and his insides gushed out. v. 19 It became notorious to those who lived in Jerusalem and they called that field Akeldama in their own Aramaic, but translated, it is “the field of blood.” v. 20 The Psalms say: “Let his dwelling be desolate and barren and let no one live there” and “let another take up his position.”  vv. 21-22 Therefore, we must choose a man who has traveled with us all this time that the Lord Jesus came and went out among us, from the baptism of John until he was taken up, and he will be a witness along with us to his Resurrection. v. 23 And they submitted two names: Joseph who was called Barsabbas but nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. vv. 24-25 Then they prayed and said: “You, Lord, know all our hearts. Show us which one out of these two you choose to take the place of serving and being sent out that Judas turned away from and departed to place he deserves. v. 26 And they drew lots between them and the lot landed on Matthias; and he was counted along with the eleven Apostles.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

v.12 Then they left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem which is only a half mile, or what was allowed for a Sabbath’s Day walk.

This helps fill in the first 11 verses. They met Jesus earlier on the Olive Mt and that’s where they watched him ascend into heaven. It was a short enough walk that they wouldn’t get in trouble with the religious lawyers as they were allowed 1000 double steps on the Sabbath.

v. 13 And when they arrived at the home, they went up to the upper story where they were staying; not only Peter and John, but also James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James (Alpheus’ son) and Simon (who was a Zealot), and Judas (James’ son).

This is the inner circle of called out and sent out ones. Some names may confuse: Bartholomew is the same as Nathaniel in John’s Gospel; Matthew was also called Levi; Jude, James son is also known as Thaddeus. Not uncommon to have multiple names and nicknames (e.g. Simon could never shake the nickname, Zealot, even though he left this life of an assassin behind).

v. 14 All of them were steadfastly devoted to one another, attuned in life and united in prayer. They were there together with the women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his brothers.

How many times can this verse identify the Jesus-followers as in community. The word for attuned in life is a  musical term that means to “rush along in harmony and note.” What a beautiful picture of the Kingdom working here on earth. Note that, by this time, Jesus’ brothers (at least two of them) had come to believe their brother, Jesus, is Messiah. Mary never swayed from this.

“in one accord” or united in prayer is the same word Jesus uses in Matthew 18, when two of you agree. This whole passage points back to verse 1 – “all that Jesus began to do and teach” – the operative word, “began,” means we continue it.

This is what they spend the next 10 days doing in preparation for the “promise of the Father.”

Jesus ascended, ten days of preparation in prayer, worship, the word and relationships, then the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus descends.

Luke 24:57 helps clarify what they did: they prayed, the worship (in the Temple), they made relationships work, and the depended on the Word of God.

v. 15 Then, during these days, Peter took the floor in front of the brothers and sisters, whose names numbered together by this time 120.

Peter stood up in the midst of 120 who were the chosen, the called out. The word “brothers” is used here; but clearly from the earlier verses, the disciples number several women in this “rush along in harmony and note.”

v. 16 Men, and brothers and sisters, it had to happen so that the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David would be fulfilled regarding Judas, the one guilty of guiding those who arrested Jesus.

It seems here that Peter is address that inner circle of the Apostles and broadened the address to the brothers and sisters. This is the 10 days between Jesus ascending and the Holy Spirit descending. They are waiting in Jerusalem and they are seeking to act wisely and in unity to prepare for what God has in store.

v. 17 For he was counted with us, he threw in his lot, and he had a share in this ministry.

He was numbered among us. Peter is using the same terminology that he would use to determine Judas’ replacement. Judas cast the dice to join and he won a share in the ministry.

This helps us understand v. 24 when they cast dice.

v. 18 Now, of course, this man, with the payment collected from Judas’ unrighteousness, bought a field;  then having become bloated and distended Judas fell in, ruptured in the middle, and his insides gushed out.

That’s quite the graphic scene Peter explains. When he begins, he takes the liberty of saying ‘now,  you already know this, but for the record…” One question that might come up is how to reconcile the account in Matthew 27 where Judas throws the 30 silver pieces at the priests and they buy a field. Judas then commits suicide by hanging. Nothing gets by them, and the priests would know where the suicide took place and sent a man to purchase the craggy land for others to be buried in. The irony is that, his body would have been the first to go over to cliffs into the field below. Judas, after hanging himself and swinging in the hot sun, would have bloated out and directly fell down into the cliffs of the land. His was not a good end.

v. 19 It became notorious to those who lived in Jerusalem and they called that field Akeldama in their own Aramaic, but translated, it is “the field of blood.”

This “field of blood” reconciles the two stories. Judas hung himself, bloated out; the priests sent a man to buy the cliff, the tree, and the field below. Either he cut Judas down and he fell in and burst, or he fell from his rope on his own. Other convicts and unnamed ones were tossed in after him.

v. 20 The Psalms say: “Let his dwelling be desolate and barren and let no one live there” and “let another take up his position.”

Notice the importance of the same two tools, the same life-giving disciplines we run to: the Word and Prayer. I would add to this a unity and in-tuned-ness which often takes even more work.

vv. 21-22 Therefore, we must choose a man who has traveled with us all this time that the Lord Jesus came and went out among us, from the baptism of John until he was taken up, and he will be a witness along with us to his Resurrection.

This tells us two things: 1) there were others who had been there from the start all the way to the Ascension, 2)  they were taking Jesus’ command seriously, to be witnesses of what had happened.

v. 23 And they submitted two names: Joseph who was called Barsabbas but nicknamed Justus, and Matthias.

These three verses are important according to Wright because they saw their role as continuing the work of the Kingdom that Jesus declared and demonstrated, then passed on to them. They needed someone who had gone through it with them. We are the continuation of the work.

vv. 24-25 Then they prayed and said: “You, Lord, know all our hearts. Show us which one out of these two you choose to take the place of serving and being sent out that Judas turned away from and departed to place he deserves.

It says “after they prayed” but they are clearly still praying. The word is really a name: heart-knower.”  The place of ministry and apostleship that Judas veered from and went to his own place.

v. 26 And they drew lots between them and the lot landed on Matthias; and he was counted along with the eleven Apostles.

This was an accepted way to choose. Not gambling, but a unique way of trusting. Now that we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, we don’t need to toss dice or draw straws.  Matthias is not mentioned again, meaning that he played his part as one of the Twelve that Jesus rose from the dead, but likely a smaller role. Wright reminds us here that there are no “big parts” and no “insignificant parts” in the Kingdom work; we all are a part and Jesus is the orchestrator.

Small Group Study Questions:

Acts 1:12-26

  1. What is your most personal memory of God’s nearness?
  2. Read Acts 1:12-26. What did the followers of Jesus do after seeing Jesus ascend into heaven?
  3. What did his followers do to get ready to receive the Promise of the Father? (What exactly is the Promise of the Father?)
  4. In what ways do you intentionally “get ready” to walk with God and serve Him?
  5. How can we pray for you this week?

Jude 1:3, 20-25. Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Jude vv. 3, 20-25

v. 3 Beloved, I’ve been very eager to write to you about the salvation we share and especially the need to urge you to stand up for the faith that one time for all has been entrusted to those set apart and made holy by God.

v. 20 You who are beloved, build yourselves up in the purist things of your faith; keep praying in the Holy Spirit.

*v. 21 Remain in God’s love and keep anticipating the mercy and kindness of Jesus Christ our Lord leading toward eternal life.

v. 22 Show a patient kindness to those who are struggling to believe.

v. 23 But to others, pull them up from the fires and pull them toward a right relationship with God; still others, show them compassion even as you despise and shudder at their lives sullied by their sinful nature cut off from God.

v. 24 And to Him who is able to keep each of you from stumbling, standing blameless and celebrating in the presence of His glory;

v. 25 To the only God, our Savior Jesus Christ our Lord, yours is the splendor, majesty, power and dominion before time began, until now, and through all the ages. Amen.

v. 3 Beloved, I’ve been very eager to write to you about the salvation we share and especially the need to urge you to stand up for the faith that one time for all has been entrusted to those set apart and made holy by God.

Those who are loved. It seems that Jude, James’ brother and the half-brother of Jesus, had been eager to write this gathering of Christians about their shared redemption in Christ Jesus; but the urgency is made all the more crucial by the news of selfish and wicked people seeking to hijack the faith. The salvation shared is the “koine” or common salvation, that is, common to all. He writes to the saints. Hagios. We who are His have this incredible trust given, to make Jesus known to the next generation. It can also be noted that this is the same Jude mentioned in the Gospels who sought to take Jesus home fearing he’d lost his mind and mocked him for not going to Jerusalem earlier like others who wanted to be seen and heard. Jude is the last mentioned when Jesus’ half-brothers are listed, so probably the baby brother.

“The faith” is that core set of beliefs that by now had become the “kerygma” and the “beliefs.” Delivered or Entrusted.

The “stand” is for the Faith and at the same time against the preceding: 1) choosing a lifestyle that contradicts the holiness of God (v. 4) or “I am opposed to what doesn’t affirm my feelings or identity”2) following what feels good instead of what is faithful and right and the reign of individual expression or “I am what I feel” (vv. 9-11), 3) grasping for power and influence – the reign of personal power or “I am what I control” (vv. 16-19). Summary: power, sex, expressive individualism. In the culture, these three lead to destruction; in the church, they lead to splits, shame, and spiritual death.

v. 20 You who are beloved, build yourselves up in the purist things of your faith; keep praying in the Holy Spirit.

Again, beloved. We are responsible for doing what is needed to build ourselves up in the practical working out of our beliefs the Father delivered to us. This use of “pistis” is the practical, live by faith; contrast this with verse three, “the faith.”  And to build up, we need the most holy things that make our faith so powerful. Knowing what our faith is built on is essential. Praying in the Spirit is needed. The reflexive “yourself” leads the next verse and but goes with “keeping yourself” or remaining in God’s love instead of here.

v. 21 Remain in God’s love and keep watching with anticipation for the mercy and kindness of Jesus Christ our Lord leading toward eternal life.

This is the kind of waiting and anticipating that is both expectant for a positive outcome and looking to receive what is needed; in this case, God’s mercy poured out that will take us toward eternity. Note the triune implications in these two verses: praying in the Holy Spirit, Remaining in God (the Father’s love), and looking for the mercies of Jesus the Son.

v. 22 Show a patient kindness to those who are struggling to believe.

The word for doubt is a complicated word again reflexive meaning doubting or hesitating, but for good reason in considering and trying to decide. Mercy, or patient kindness, is due to that person.

v. 23 But to others, pull them from the fires and pull them toward a right relationship with God; still others, show them compassion even as you despise and shudder at their lives sullied by their sinful nature cut off from God.

Again, Jude uses words that are hard to translate word-for-word with just one word. Rescue them by snatching them from the fire and toward God. The word means from something toward something in the rescue. Even more graphic, show compassion and mercy to those who are stained by a life without God. He is saying that we love the person, even though we might recoil from the sin.

v. 24 And to Him who is able to keep each of you from stumbling, standing blameless with joyful celebrating in the presence of His glory;

Able as in powerful enough to keep us on our feet and standing at attention exulting and celebrating in joy because we are in God’s presence.

v. 25 To the only God, our Savior Jesus Christ our Lord, yours is the splendor, majesty, power and dominion before time began, until now, and through all the ages. Amen.

This is one of several early “doxologies” that developed as a way of praising God at the end of one’s words. Four-fold praise here; seven-fold in Revelation.

Small Group Questions:

Jude 1

  1. Jude was the brother of James and half-brother to Jesus. He is one of Mary’s kids. What does it mean to  you to know that Jude came to believe that Jesus is both Savior and Lord (read verse 24-25)?
  2. What is the difference between “the Faith” and “your personal walk of faith?” How can you build up your “Faith” and your “faith” in 2023?
  3. Have  you ever gone through a time of doubting and struggling to believe? What helped settle you struggle and doubt?
  4. Have you ever been where your life choices left you far from God? What or who pulled you back toward the Father?
  5. How can we pray for you?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on Isaiah 6:6-8

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Isaiah 6:6-8

vv. 6-7 Then one of the seraphim took a set of tongs, carried a glowing coal from the altar, then flew to me and placed it in my mouth. He said, “See: this live coal has touched your lips and now your guilt is removed and your sin is canceled.”

Seraphim are a class of angel. In this case, he is the bringer of fire for both cleansing and calling. The live, or glowing, coal came from the altar of God. At the touch of the coal to Isaiah’s lips, the guilt and sin are removed. The coal is symbolic of the fire of the Holy Spirit sealing us from the sin and guilt we carried until we invited Jesus to save us.

Guilt in this verse can also be sin or depravity. Canceled can be forgiven here. The word is foundationally “covered” as in the mercy seat covers our sin.

Remember that, Isaiah is in the Temple of the Lord, heaven’s own Temple. And it is here that God has brought him “in the Spirit” (v. 1). His glory filled the Temple. The Temple is the place of perpetual worship, led by angels, before the God who is holy. It is from the altar of this Holy Place and from the throne upon which the Holy God reigns that the live coal comes.

It is in the Holy God’s presence that Isaiah sees himself – unclean, unworthy, undone. v. 5

It is this posture of need, of openness and honesty, of worship, that our passage meets Isaiah.

Interesting that the outcome of looking on the Holy God with one’s eyes is death. But God provided from His holiness to sustain Isaiah; it’s the same for us as we require His holiness to sustain us in our own lives.

Note that both sin and guilt are covered, are paid for here. We sometimes carry the guilt long after God has forgiven the sin.

Symbolic of the Holy Son of God who baptizes with fire is the burning coal to Isaiah.

Seraphs are angelic beings who are associated with attending to the throne of God, His holiness, and the altar fire.

v. 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord and He asked, “Who will I send? Who will go for us?” And I said, “See, I’m here. Send me.”

Note that it is the Lord speaking both in the singular for Himself and in the plural as for the Triune God. John 12 indicates that Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord Jesus in the Temple. The Spirit of God took Isaiah to the heavenly Temple. God Triune is Present.