Messiah's
coming glory: judgment and a remnant preserved
But it was in the counsels
of God that His presence should be established in glory
in the midst of His people, and this will be accomplished
in Christ at the end of the age. Hence the testimony of
the progress of the judgments is interrupted after the
first general statement, and in chapter 6 the prophet
sees this glory. Yet its first effect is judicial, and
operates to blind and condemn them. The previous judgment
(chap. 5) had been in respect of the breaking of the law
and the despising of the word of the Holy One of Israel.
But with enmity against Christ and His rejection comes
judicial blindness and the separation of a remnant. That
it is the glory of Christ is taught us in chapter 12 of
John's Gospel. The prophet feels at once the
incompatibility of the people's condition with the
manifestation of this glory. Unclean lips cannot
celebrate it. But a live coal from the altar cleanses his
own lips, and he consecrates himself to Jehovah's
message; and to that which concerns the glory of Christ.
The heart of the people is made fat until there is entire
desolation. Nevertheless there shall be a remnant, a holy
seed, which shall be like the sap of a tree that has lost
its leaves. [1]
The two aspects of
God's judgment in chapters 5 and 6
We have then in these last
chapters the judgment of the people under two aspects:
first, that of God's government (in this point of view
the people, being altogether guilty, are given up to the
Gentiles); secondly, in view of the glory of Jehovah's
presence at His coming according to His purposes of grace
(for this the people were unfit). But here, as the
purposes of God were in question, there is a remnant
according to election in whom the glory shall be
re-established. This distinction must be made when the
government of God and His outward dealings are in
question.
In chapter 5, which speaks
of the former character of judgment, there is no remnant.
It is simply the public and complete judgment of the
nation; for as to this all rested on their
responsibility. In the Gospels this is looking for fruit;
Christ might dig about it and dung it, but this was
looking for fruit. Hence it is cursed and never to bear
fruit. That is Israel (man) under the first covenant. In
chapter 6 God acts within, in His own relationship with
the people. Hence we find a remnant and the assured
re-establishment of the people; for the gifts and calling
of God are without repentance. Here also we find Christ.
God could not cast off His people for ever, and the
prophetic faith is found which says, How long? as
elsewhere it is said, There is none to say, How long? For
when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on earth?
[1] A more exact translation throws
much light on this prophecy. Nevertheless there shall
still be in it a tenth, and it shall return and shall be
to be consumed, as the oak and the teil tree, which being
cut down have still the trunk [or the rooted stump]; thus
the holy seed shall be their stock" (chap. 1: 9).
That is, the remnant itself will undergo Judgment and
consumption at the time of their return; but there shall
be a holy seed, from which life will spring as from a
tree cut down.
Isaiah 6 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
But it was in the counsels of God that His presence should be established in glory in the midst of His people, and this will be accomplished in Christ at the end of the age. Hence the testimony of the progress of the judgments is interrupted after the first general statement, and in chapter 6 the prophet sees this glory. Yet its first effect is judicial, and operates to blind and condemn them. The previous judgment (chap. 5) had been in respect of the breaking of the law and the despising of the word of the Holy One of Israel. But with enmity against Christ and His rejection comes judicial blindness and the separation of a remnant. That it is the glory of Christ is taught us in chapter 12 of John's Gospel. The prophet feels at once the incompatibility of the people's condition with the manifestation of this glory. Unclean lips cannot celebrate it. But a live coal from the altar cleanses his own lips, and he consecrates himself to Jehovah's message; and to that which concerns the glory of Christ. The heart of the people is made fat until there is entire desolation. Nevertheless there shall be a remnant, a holy seed, which shall be like the sap of a tree that has lost its leaves. [1]
The two aspects of God's judgment in chapters 5 and 6
We have then in these last chapters the judgment of the people under two aspects: first, that of God's government (in this point of view the people, being altogether guilty, are given up to the Gentiles); secondly, in view of the glory of Jehovah's presence at His coming according to His purposes of grace (for this the people were unfit). But here, as the purposes of God were in question, there is a remnant according to election in whom the glory shall be re-established. This distinction must be made when the government of God and His outward dealings are in question.
In chapter 5, which speaks of the former character of judgment, there is no remnant. It is simply the public and complete judgment of the nation; for as to this all rested on their responsibility. In the Gospels this is looking for fruit; Christ might dig about it and dung it, but this was looking for fruit. Hence it is cursed and never to bear fruit. That is Israel (man) under the first covenant. In chapter 6 God acts within, in His own relationship with the people. Hence we find a remnant and the assured re-establishment of the people; for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Here also we find Christ. God could not cast off His people for ever, and the prophetic faith is found which says, How long? as elsewhere it is said, There is none to say, How long? For when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on earth?
[1] A more exact translation throws much light on this prophecy. Nevertheless there shall still be in it a tenth, and it shall return and shall be to be consumed, as the oak and the teil tree, which being cut down have still the trunk [or the rooted stump]; thus the holy seed shall be their stock" (chap. 1: 9). That is, the remnant itself will undergo Judgment and consumption at the time of their return; but there shall be a holy seed, from which life will spring as from a tree cut down.