What does the "touched your lips" symbolize in Isaiah 6:7? Text: Isaiah 6:7 “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” Layers of Meaning in “Touched Your Lips” • Cleansing: The burning coal from the altar brings immediate purification. In the sacrificial system, fire consumes the offering; here it consumes Isaiah’s impurity (Malachi 3:2-3). • Atonement: Directly states “your sin is atoned for,” linking the coal to the altar’s ongoing sacrifices that foreshadow Christ’s ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 9:13-14). • Consecration of Speech: Lips represent the prophet’s primary instrument. God sanctifies the very member Isaiah had just confessed was unclean (Isaiah 6:5; cf. Psalm 51:15). • Commissioning: The touch equips Isaiah for service. After cleansing, God immediately says, “Go and tell…” (Isaiah 6:9). The act moves him from confession to mission. • Personal Encounter: The coal is not waved generally; it makes personal contact. Salvation and calling are individual before they are public. • Grace over Self-Effort: Isaiah offers nothing; heaven initiates and accomplishes the cleansing (Ephesians 2:8-9). What It Accomplished for Isaiah 1. Removed guilt—no lingering shame (Romans 8:1). 2. Restored fellowship—Isaiah now stands in God’s presence without fear (1 John 1:7). 3. Renewed purpose—he becomes God’s herald to a rebellious nation (Jeremiah 1:9 shows a similar touch commissioning Jeremiah). 4. Re-oriented perspective—having been pardoned, Isaiah can proclaim both judgment and hope with authenticity (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Echoes Elsewhere in Scripture • Jeremiah 1:9 – “Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth…” – consecration for prophetic speech. • Daniel 10:16 – “One with the likeness of a man touched my lips” – strengthening for revelation. • Leviticus 16 – the Day of Atonement altar imagery behind the coal. • Psalm 51:9-15 – David seeks cleansed lips to declare God’s praise. • Luke 5:13 – Jesus touches the leper; holiness overcomes impurity. • Acts 2:3-4 – tongues as of fire rest on the apostles, empowering holy proclamation. Takeaway Truths for Believers Today • God provides the cleansing He requires; we cannot purify ourselves. • Forgiven people become God’s messengers—cleansing precedes calling. • Our speech must be governed by the One who purified our lips (Colossians 4:6). • Every altar-coal moment ultimately points to the finished work of Christ, the true sacrifice who permanently atones for sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). |
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