"His train filled the temple..."

"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." (Isa 6.1)

In ancient times, the flowing train of a monarch's robe was symbol of glory and splendor. It was the part of the robe that signified majesty and authority. The longer the back hem of the robe, the more powerful the sovereign.  There is no doubt as to the authority and majesty of the One to whom the "train" belongs in this passage in Isaiah.

While there are many other symbols and spiritual applications in this imagery, this blogger would focus on the "train" today.  The meaning of "train" from the Hebrew according to Strongs concordance is: skirt (of robe), such as a high priest's robe, the bottom edge of a robe.  As a noun, Webster's 1818 dictionary describes the word this way:  

• The tail of a fowl. For example, The train steers their flight, and turns their bodies, like the rudder of a ship. 
• A retinue; a number of followers or attendants, My train are men of choice and rarest parts. The king's daughter with a lovely train.
• A series; a consecution or succession of connected things, Rivers now stream and draw their humid train

Breaking the word down into Webster's meaning gives our readers a beautiful view of parts of the Lord's character and what He does for His people.  

1. Like the tail of the fowl or the rudder of a ship, the train is the part that steers the bird or the ship.  So it is with the ways of the Lord, if we walk in the council of His will and way we will be "steered" always in the right direction.
2. Like the train that accompany's the brides garment as she is admired from the back, like minded believers will follow, completely and without hesitation the "beauty of His holiness." (I Chr 16.29, II Chr 20.21, Ps 29.2).  Thus causing them to "walk in His ways." (Deut 8.6)
3. Like the definition of "connected things," believers are united in Spirit as brothers and sisters in the Lord and "fluidly," like the connected rivers and streams, follow the Lord. (Rom 12.5, I Cor 3.9, Gal 6.10)

This train has much meaning. More than this simple minded blogger can comprehend. But make no mistake, it is an important, relevant part of how one is to view the Lord, "high and lifted up."  If His "train filled the temple," then we are to be covered and out of view while He gets all the glory and is all in view.

God bless and keep each reader. Amen..

Purging

 The term comes to mind when meditating on Isaiah, chapter 5.  It is evident that judgment will occur because of the sins of the people.  The chapter starts out very lovingly, "Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard...in a very fruitful hill:..." (5.1) Then, verse 5 turns "sideways." "I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall be eaten...break down the wall...it shall be trodden down."  Why?

Verse 20 notes that it is because God's people, "Israel," "Call evil good, and good evil..." They are "wise in their own eyes and drink "strong drink."  It seems another world is watching this change also.  "Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure...and (they) shall descend into it." (5.14)  You better believe, "the devils believe and tremble." (Jms 2.19)

Yet, because of the Father's great love for His own, "his hand is stretched out still." (5.25)  The Lord never leaves His people in sin.  Judgment and purging must take place.  Verse 24 explains how all will be burned and consumed with fire.  This is God's way.

Much has been preached, taught and said on the subject of "purging." It is the Lord's way of separating the "wheat from the chaff."  Purifying the gold by "burning off the dross" that hides the gold. (Mt. 3.12, Mal 3.3)  This purging in Isaiah 5 is for the good of those the Lord calls His own.

Webster's 1828 defines purging this way; to cleanse or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure.  To clear from guilt or moral defilement.  The Psalmist said He would "purge" away our sins, for thy (His) Name's sake. (Ps 79.9)  The psalmist asked to be "purged with hyssop (so he could be) clean." (Ps 51.7)

My dear, fellow believer, be assured that the Lord applies the principle to His Jew and Gentile bride.  While santification is setting apart, there is no need to "set apart" unless one has been "purged."  So, when fiery trials (I Pet 4.12) come your way, know that your are being "purged."  And remember, it is grace in action because "His hand is stretched out still." (5.25)

God bless you and keep you. Amen

Zeal in times of "leanness."

 Zeal is a powerful term for the believer.  But there are times when a believer is in a mindset such as Isaiah in chapter 24 verse 16; "My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!.."  

Zeal still seems to be in this bloggers heart but the words "leanness, MY leanness..." leap off the page today.  If Psalm 57.7 were not buried deep in this heart, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed...," I could not go one step further at times.

With the pandemic nearly one year old next month, church attendance and sickness have kept this bloggers local assembly out of the house of God as before.  For months, we have only been allowed at church on Sunday mornings.  Being kept from family because of COVID19 has been its own burden and struggle. It is agreed, a rest was needed but the "leanness" in this soul is keen today.  

Much of it is this bloggers fault due to filling time with self-serving pursuits, yet the Lord is bringing me around to the next verses in chapter 25.  The way to move out of "leanness" is found in Isaiah, chapter 25 and verses 1, 4 and 8.

The question is "How does one have 'zeal' in times of 'leanness?'"

"O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise Thy Name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth...For Thou has been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat...He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth:..."

Again, How does one have 'zeal' in times of 'leanness?  Worship!

Daily prayer is usually mundane and wooden.  How is life to be breathed into, well, "life?" It would seem the Holy Spirit impresses this thought through His Word this morning, Worship!  By faith, this blogger knows there is coming a day when sorrow, tears and heartache will be gone. (Rev 21.4) By belief in His Word, I know that each step brings us nearer that end. (Jer 29.11-13)

Thus, take heart, weary one!  You are not alone in your lack of "zeal" towards things of God.  Do not give up, give out or give in, just WORSHIP!  The Psalmist said it best when closing the Psalms, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. PRAISE YE THE LORD!" (Ps 150.6)