EXEGETICAL PAPER: BIBLICAL MAP AND APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT
Gwane D Martin
NBST 610 D06 Hermeneutics
23-Sep-25
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................1
Summary................................................................................................................................1
Investigation...........................................................................................................................2
Judgement and Salvation....................................................................................................2
Israel’s hardening................................................................................................................2
Concept of a Remnant.........................................................................................................3
Application.............................................................................................................................4
Worship and Meditation.....................................................................................................4
Self-Examination..................................................................................................................4
Holding oneself accountable...............................................................................................5
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................5
Bibliography............................................................................................................................6
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1
Introduction
The book of Isaiah begins with prophecies, then moves to judgments, and ends with
themes of salvation and Israel’s restoration. Chapter 6 describes the Prophet Isaiah’s vision of
the Most High God on His throne, surrounded by angelic beings. One of these angels, called
seraphim, touches Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal, symbolizing the atonement for his sin so he
can carry out the mission God assigned him. The chapter emphasizes God’s holiness, Isaiah’s
transformation, and the difficult prophetic task God called him to fulfill. This paper will
summarize the theological principles found in Isaiah chapter 6, investigate how these principles
align with the overall message of the Bible, and then propose specific, measurable applications
of these principles.
Summary
Isaiah 6:1-13 emphasizes God’s holiness, majesty, and sovereignty. It begins with Isaiah’s
vision of God’s overwhelming holiness and his call to ministry.1 Isaiah sees the Lord on a high
throne, His robe filling the temple, which illustrates the principle of God’s transcendence and
immanence. The seraphim’s cry of “Holy, holy, holy” highlights God’s absolute holiness and
separation from corruption. The passage demonstrates the principle of conviction and
repentance, as Isaiah acknowledges his sinfulness before the glory of God. The coal touching
Isaiah’s lips symbolizes atonement and forgiveness. Ultimately, it emphasizes the principle of a
divine calling, with God appointing Isaiah as His messenger and warning him of a complex
mission that would be met with resistance. Despite emphasizing judgment and desolation, the
passage ends with hope, mentioning “the holy seed is its stump” (Isaiah 6:13, Legacy Standard
Bible). This indicates that after judgment, a remnant will remain, which is a stump surviving the
judgment.
1 Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers,
2019), 639.
2
Investigation
Isaiah chapter 6 is a key part of the overall story of the Bible, serving as a pivotal
moment in God’s plan for Israel and foreshadowing important themes throughout Scripture.
The themes that we see in the chapter, which are also part of the overall story of the Bible,
include Judgment and Salvation, Israel’s hardening, and the concept of a remnant of the
Israelites.
Judgement and Salvation
Isaiah’s throne vision highlights God’s sovereignty and holiness, central themes
throughout the Bible. These themes are woven into the structure of the book of Isaiah, linking
its different sections with an overarching narrative. The vision also presents a message of hope
amid divine judgment, showcasing God’s faithfulness in both mercy and justice.2 The pattern of
judgment followed by renewal is a recurring theme throughout Scripture and is fulfilled in the
New Testament’s message of salvation through Christ. When referencing Isaiah 61, Jesus
highlights the good news as a source of hope and renewal.
Israel’s hardening
The theme of Israel’s hardening reverberates throughout the Old Testament and into the
New Testament, particularly in the ministry of Jesus and the writings of Paul. Isaiah’s
commissioning as a prophet, despite the people’s hardness of heart, foreshadows the complex
relationship between God and His people, including the rejection of Christ in the New
Testament. The decree of hardening is quoted in full or in part at least six times in the New
Testament.3 Two prominent examples are when Jesus cites Isaiah 6:9 in relation to why he
teaches in parables. In Matthew, Jesus states, “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because
2 J. N. Oswalt, “Isaiah,” in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. T. Desmond Alexander
and Brian S. Rosner, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 217.
3 F. Derek Kidner, “Isaiah,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A.
Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 638.
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while seeing they do not see and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matt
13:3, LSB). Similarly, in Acts, Paul also refers to Isaiah 6:9 during his address to Jews in Rome,
saying, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers” (Acts 28:25,
LSB).
Concept of a Remnant
Toward the end of the chapter, it also introduces the idea of a remnant, symbolized by
the “holy seed” in the stump of a cut-down tree, which points to future hope and restoration.
The hope presented is that after Israel is judged, a believing remnant of the people will be
preserved, and the great hope will burst forth.4 This hope is contrasted with the people’s
reluctance to listen to God and the military destruction of the land. These are key themes
explored in the following chapters.5 King Ahaz personifies the response of hardness to the
promise of God offered to faith.6
Application
There are several specific and measurable applications of the principles found in Isaiah
Chapter 6. Isaiah’s encounter with God’s holiness is described as life-changing, prompting a
profound reverence for God and a recognition of one’s own sinfulness. To apply these principles
to modern-day life, one should dedicate time for worship, prayer, and meditation, conduct daily
self-examination, and hold oneself accountable to address personal shortcomings.
4 J. Alec Motyer, Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 77.
5 Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 1–39, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, The New American Commentary
(Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007), 122.
6 Brevard S. Childs, Isaiah: A Commentary, ed. William P. Brown, Carol A. Newsom, and
Brent A. Strawn, 1st ed., The Old Testament Library (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press,
2001), 59.
4
Worship and Meditation
In Isaiah chapter 6, God reveals His holiness and righteousness through a vision to the
Prophet. To honor this truth, our proper response is to worship God with awe and wonder.
What comes out of the mouth of the believer concerning God must be praise, so the application
should be to emulate the seraphim, who spoke to one another, crying out, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’7
This same awareness of God’s holiness and love was also demonstrated through Jesus’ death
and resurrection. It can energize believers for their work and lead to greater usefulness in
ministry.
Meditation is another way of worship, involving concentration on God’s word, reflection,
and aligning the mind and heart with His will. Engaging in prayer and meditation on His Word
reflects a reverent attitude, akin to how seraphim honor the Father with humility and reverence
during their communication or presence with Him.
Self-Examination
Isaiah chapter 6 serves as a key point for self-reflection on God’s majesty and holiness, as
shown in the chapter. When done correctly, it encourages us to reevaluate our understanding of
God, acknowledge our own sinfulness, and remain open to being used by God. Like Isaiah, we
should acknowledge our unworthiness in God’s presence and reflect specifically on areas where
we fall short of God’s standards.
Holding oneself accountable
Isaiah, after being cleansed by the burning coal and after Yahweh asked, “Whom shall I
send?” responded by saying, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8, LSB). This illustrates
accountability. Once someone has repented of sin, been cleansed, and forgiven, there is a
calling to respond to God’s will by becoming a willing instrument in His plan. This involves being
7 Steven A. McKinion, ed., Isaiah 1-39, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
(Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2004), 47.
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open to His guidance, using one’s gifts and talents for His glory, and sharing the gospel with
others. Proper accountability goes beyond simply confessing mistakes; it includes seeking and
accepting God’s forgiveness through Christ and allowing His transforming power to cleanse and
purify.
Conclusion
Isaiah chapter 6 describes the Prophet Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple, where he
sees God’s holiness and receives the call to prophetic service. It marks the start of Isaiah’s
prophetic mission, highlighting God’s sovereignty and holiness. It serves as a powerful example
that God is all-powerful, full of grace, and holier than all creation, including powerful angelic
beings. It also provides us with a model for how people should respond to God’s call, as it
demonstrates that when we receive a call from God, we must be willing to be God’s messenger,
even to a resistant audience.
Bibliography
Childs, Brevard S. Isaiah: A Commentary. 1st. Edited by William P Brown, Carol A Newsom, &
Brent A Strawn. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
Evans, Tony. The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019.
Kidner, Derek F. Isaiah New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Edited by D A
Carson, R T France, J A Motyer, & G J Wenham. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
McKinion, Steven A, and Thomas C Oden. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Motyer, J Alec. Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament
Commentaries. Edited by Donald J Wiseman. Vol. 20. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1999.
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Oswalt, J N. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by T Desmond Alexander and Brian S
Rosner. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Smith, Gary V. The New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39. Edited by E Ray Clendenen.
Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007.
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