"The" Lord of Hosts

The Ohio State University

Some might not appreciate NFL players introducing themselves before primetime games, I happen to like it.  Having followed the Green Bay Packers for years I’ve grown fond of hearing the various starters identify their alma mater.  But I must say two players in particular stand out.  Both AJ Hawk and Ryan Pickett maintain the Buckeye tradition of identifying their school with a certain measure of grandeur.  As with all OSU players in the NFL they simply emphasize the definite article when associating themselves with the university.  

“AJ Hawk, the Ohio State University”.  

A definitive statement is made, a specific pedigree is identified, and a certain class is established.  Make no mistake, they are part of the Ohio State University.     

One finds a similar introduction in the pages of Isaiah.  In a pyrotechnic display like none other, God shows up in chapter 6 and allows himself to be introduced (6:1-4): 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts”. 

Amid Israel’s debauchery a definitive statement is made.  God is holy.  Apart from all the pagan deities, the gods before whom Israel prostituted herself, God alone is distinct in essence and character.  In the middle of Israel’s moral failings a certain class is established.  God is the Lord of Hosts.  He commands an innumerable army, a number of angelic beings intent on executing the divine decrees.  

The Almighty is not to be trifled with.1  He is the only true God.

“Isaiah the prophet, the one of unclean lips” 

In the face of such sheer power and moral purity there was but one response, dread.  Isaiah knew he was guilty and that utter destruction would rightly befall both he and his countrymen.2  They were bound together in their perpetual rebellion and against this backdrop of God’s moral excellence they were undone.

But then something bizarre occurs (6:6-8).  Unmerited grace and divine initiative move toward Isaiah and atonement is secured.  With broad brushstrokes Isaiah captures central themes of our eternal salvation.  From God's benevolent hand we, along with the prophet, discover divine grace, respond to the divine initiative, and are invited into His unfolding plan for mankind.

Yes, Isaiah would discover that his job within God's economy would be a tough one (6:9-13).  His contemporaries would ignore his message and ultimately face divine judgment for their sin.  Yet while Isaiah's peers may have overlooked God's reclamation project, chapter 6 lays a groundwork of hope that will be developed throughout the entire book of Isaiah.

1. Be hopeful: God’s divine glory will one day fill the earth (6:3).3  Israel’s sin had not thwarted God’s redemptive purposes and Isaiah’s vision anticipated a future day when God’s unique glory would be manifest to all peoples.  The idea of God’s glory being revealed in the future is developed throughout Isaiah, culminating ultimately in the coming Messiah (Isaiah 40:3-5; John 1:14).
2. Be hopeful: the holy seed will still stand (6:13).  The imagery of 6:11-13 is rich, portraying the entire nation being scorched with divine judgment.  Yet as one looks out upon the land, a lone stump remains.  The stump is defined as the holy stump, David's holy seed that will still one day flourish and bear fruit (Isaiah 11:1).  Though God would severely punish the nation for her sin (chapters 7-39), there was still reason to maintain hope.  Somehow the nations would be blessed through Israel, the covenants made to the forefather's will stand.  

Hopeless.  

A new Navy scandal.    

A mysterious girl found in Greece.

More talk about twerking. 

School shooting in Nevada 

All of these were mentioned to one degree or another while I was in the gym this morning.  The networks daily remind us that things are not right, our world is undone.  But may we be reminded that God is the Lord of Hosts.  As we await the day when all things are made new, may we not be numbered among the Israelites who trifled with the King but may we stand with Isaiah.  May we stand declaring that God's glory has been revealed to all nations and that one Day every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God our Father.   

Blessings.  

FYI, Sunday night as the Packers take on the Vikings...be pullin' for the Pack and listen for the player announcements!  

1.  Along with the angelic chant, note Isaiah's use of contrasts to communicate the overwhelming nature of God:  

• The mere hem of the King’s robe is enough to fill the temple (6:1).  If the bottom of the royal garment creates such a spectacle, what would God’s actual presence command? 

• The mere sound of the angelic attendants rocked the throne room (6:2-4).  If the voice of the created help could create such uproar – how much more could we expect if God himself spoke?

2.  Along with the “woe” of 6:5, note 5:8,11,18, 20, 21, 22.  Effectually, Isaiah is lumping himself into the same fate as the nation.

3.  I prefer the footnote afforded through the ESV translation, this wording captures the future tense of 6:3.  Isaiah anticipates a day when God's revelatory glory will be made evident to all peoples.