[6] _Delitzsch_ thus gives the usual interpretation of this clause: _The house was filled with smoke._ Many compare this with the similar occurrence in connection with the dedication of Solomon's temple (1 Kings viii. 10); but Drechsler is correct in stating that the two cases are not parallel, for there God simply attested His own presence by the cloud of smoke behind which He concealed Himself, whereas here there was no need of any such self-attestation. Moreover, in this instance God does not dwell in the cloud and thick darkness, whilst the smoke is represented as the effect of the songs of praise in which the seraphim have joined, and not of the presence of God. The smoke arose from the altar of incense mentioned in verse 6. But when Drechsler says that it was the prayers of _saints_ (as in Rev. v. 8, viii. 3, 4), which ascended to the Lord, in the smoke, there is a thought which is quite out of place here. The smoke was the immediate consequence of the seraph's song of praise. A SIGHT OF GOD AND A SENSE OF SIN. vi. 5-7. _Then said I, &c._ Visions of the throne of God were given to Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel among the prophets, and to John among the Apostles.[1] +I. The distinguished privilege.+ "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." "Mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." The invisible and unapproachable God revealed Himself to the bewildered seer through the glory of the afterwards incarnate Christ (John xii. 41). May we behold God? Certainly we may. 1. _In His Son Jesus Christ_ (Heb. i. 3; 2 Cor. iv. 4; Col. i. 15; John xiv. 8, 9). 2. _In His works and Word._ The works are the embodied words of God. In the Scriptures we may see the mind, the heart, the purposes, the character of God. 3. _In His sanctuary._ In the act of worship, while in the temple, Isaiah beheld the glory of the Lord (Ps. lxiii. 1, 2, lxviii. 24). +II. The profound abasement.+ It is true that "before honour is humility." The converse is also true. Isaiah's humility was the effect of overwhelming honour. A sight of God brought self-revelation; depravity was revealed by the dazzling whiteness of Divine purity. 1. _There was consternation._ "Woe is me; for I am undone." 2. _There was self-loathing._ "I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." The vision of God results in a vivid and painful sense of sin (Job xlii. 5, 6; Luke v. 8). +III. The Divine cleansing.+ Absolution is connected with confession (1 John i. 9). 1. _The cleansing_ _was efficacious._ 2. _The purification was by means of sacrifice._ 3. _The removal of defilement was immediate._ A man so prepared is made ready for any ministry of testimony, toil, or tribulation.--_Matthew Braithwaite._ FOOTNOTES: