Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

Let’s talk about Jesus.

  • Daily Bible Study

    Isaiah 6-7; 2 Chronicles 26-27; Philemon

    DateVersionReading Plan
    July 3, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

    Isaiah 6-7

    Observation & Interpretation

    This momentous chapter begins with Isaiah providing a time reference—in the year that King Uzziah died—and then follows into the events that transpired. Isaiah saw the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His robe filled the temple (Is. 6:1). The Faithlife Study Bible provides helpful context by saying, “Isaiah’s throne-room vision of Yahweh changes the way he represents God’s sovereignty and glory in the rest of the book.” (FSB). The two seraphim that stood above the LORD called to one another, proclaiming the supreme holiness of the LORD and that the whole earth is filled with His glory (Is. 6:2-3). When the LORD spoke, the foundations shook and the house was filled with smoke (Is. 6:4). Isaiah responded in utter humility of His woe before a holy and righteous God, identifying himself as a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips (Is. 6:5). One of the seraphim then flew to Isaiah and touched his mouth with a burning coal and told Isaiah that his guilt was taken away and sin atoned for (Is. 6:7). “God prepared Isaiah by cleansing his lips, the instrument by which he would execute his prophetic task. He did this symbolically by having one of his seraphim touch the prophet’s lips with a burning coal. Fire can purify (Nm 31:22–23), and this burning coal was taken from the altar where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin (1Ch 6:49).” (CSB Notes).

    Isaiah then heard the voice of the Lord asking whom He should send and Isaiah replied with willingness to be the one sent (Is. 6:8). The LORD told Isaiah to speak to the people and provided a message he was to give (Is. 6:9). “Isaiah was a prophet with a message of judgment. God’s commission recognized that, because of its sin, Israel’s healing could only come about through their punishment.” (CSB Notes). Isaiah asked how long this was to be and the LORD said until the cities lie waste without inhabitant (Is. 6:11). A tenth would remain but would be burned again like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains when it is felled (Is. 6:13). The holy seed was its stump. “They would experience destruction. Even so, a remnant would survive. This remnant is pictured as a stump that is left after a mighty tree falls.” (CSB Notes)

    Chapter seven begins with a time reference of similar style as chapter six—in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah (Is. 7:1). “Between chapters 6 and 7 Isaiah passes over the reign of Jotham and takes up the narrative during the time of Ahaz. It is the time when Syria and Israel (Ephraim) have made an alliance against Judah and are threatening Jerusalem.” (BBC). The LORD told Isaiah that he and his son Shear-jashub were to meet and speak with Ahaz (Is. 7:3). “The Lord assures Ahaz through the prophet that he need not fear. The kings of Syria and Israel (Rezin and Pekah) are nothing but the stubs of smoking firebrands on the verge of being extinguished. Although the confederacy does plan to attack Judah and set up some otherwise unknown son of Tabel as puppet king, the plan will largely fail.” (BBC).

    The LORD again spoke to Ahaz to ask for a sign of the LORD his God, but Ahaz said that he would not ask and put the LORD to the test (Is. 7:10). Isaiah spoke to the people of Judah all the many ways that disaster would come upon them (Is. 7:13-23).

    Application

    The awareness of God’s sheer holiness that Isaiah 6 engenders is astounding. It is crucial to be oft reminded of how set apart our Creator is from His creation. His purity, majesty and refulgence are beyond measure and we—because of our sin—are entirely unworthy to be in His presence. This complete separation is our due lot for all eternity, and yet, our Lord so chose to manifest His grace by providing His Son as a worthy sacrifice so that in Him we could be deemed worthy. What gratitude and praise should be sung among the saints that our Lord God would grant so great a mercy.

    Resources

    Reading
    Listening