Holiness and Divine Call | Jamb Christian Religious Studies

Holiness and Divine Call (Isaiah 6:1-13; Ezekiel 2; 3:1-11; Jeremiah 1:4-10)

1. Isaiah 6:1-2 introduces Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness, where he sees God seated on His throne surrounded by seraphim, emphasizing the divine glory and purity.
2. Isaiah 6:3 describes the seraphim declaring, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty,” demonstrating the absolute holiness of God and setting the tone for Isaiah’s call.
3. Isaiah 6:5 reveals Isaiah’s response to the vision—he acknowledges his own sinfulness and the sin of his people, showing the need for repentance in the face of God’s holiness.
4. Isaiah 6:6-7 depicts God’s cleansing act, where a seraphim touches Isaiah’s lips with a live coal, purging his guilt and preparing him for the divine call.
5. Isaiah 6:8 presents God’s call to Isaiah to go and speak to the people of Israel, marking the moment when Isaiah receives his divine assignment after his cleansing.
6. Isaiah 6:9-10 shows the nature of Isaiah’s mission, where God tells him to deliver a message that will harden the hearts of the people, leading to their eventual judgment due to their refusal to listen.
7. Isaiah 6:11-13 concludes with God revealing the consequences of Israel's disobedience and the eventual hope for a remnant, even after the people’s hard hearts lead to their judgment.
8. Ezekiel 2:1-2 begins Ezekiel’s call, where God commands him to stand up and speaks to him, emphasizing the divine authority and seriousness of his mission.
9. Ezekiel 2:3-5 explains that Ezekiel is sent to a rebellious nation, the Israelites, who have rejected God’s ways, signaling that his role will be difficult and met with resistance.
10. Ezekiel 2:6-7 outlines the challenge Ezekiel faces in delivering God's message of judgment, as the people will not listen, but he must still speak God's truth regardless of the response.
11. Ezekiel 2:8-10 illustrates that Ezekiel is given a scroll to eat, representing the internalization of God’s word and the prophet’s complete submission to the divine call.
12. Ezekiel 3:1-3 shows Ezekiel eating the scroll, which was sweet in his mouth, symbolizing the acceptance of God’s word despite the difficult task ahead.
13. Ezekiel 3:4-7 stresses that Ezekiel’s message will be rejected by the people, yet he is still commanded to speak God’s truth to them, highlighting the prophet’s duty to deliver the message regardless of the audience’s response.
14. Ezekiel 3:8-9 reassures Ezekiel that God will give him strength and courage to face the opposition, emphasizing God’s support for those He calls.
15. Ezekiel 3:10-11 underscores the importance of Ezekiel internalizing the message and being obedient to God’s call, regardless of how the people react to his words.
16. Jeremiah 1:4-5 introduces Jeremiah’s call, where God declares that He knew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb, demonstrating the divine foreknowledge and purpose behind Jeremiah’s life.
17. Jeremiah 1:6 reveals Jeremiah’s initial hesitation and sense of inadequacy, showing that even the greatest prophets experienced self-doubt before accepting their divine call.
18. Jeremiah 1:7-8 depicts God’s reassurance to Jeremiah that He will be with him and protect him, regardless of the opposition he may face, signaling divine empowerment for the task ahead.
19. Jeremiah 1:9 shows God touching Jeremiah’s mouth and placing His words within him, symbolizing divine empowerment and the necessity of speaking God’s truth.
20. Jeremiah 1:10 outlines the mission given to Jeremiah to uproot, tear down, destroy, build, and plant, highlighting the dual role of the prophet in delivering both judgment and hope.
21. Jeremiah 1:11-12 portrays God’s vision of an almond branch, symbolizing the quick fulfillment of His word and the certainty of the judgment that will come upon Israel.
22. Jeremiah 1:13-14 depicts a second vision of a boiling pot, symbolizing the impending disaster from the north, which God will bring upon the people due to their disobedience.
23. Jeremiah 1:15-19 reveals God’s promise to protect Jeremiah despite the hostility he will face from the people and kings, reinforcing the importance of God’s protection for His messengers.
24. Ezekiel 3:16-21 further highlights Ezekiel’s responsibility to warn the people of Israel of their impending doom, emphasizing the role of the prophet in delivering God’s message of warning.
25. Amos 3:7 affirms that God reveals His plans to His prophets before they happen, showing that those who are called by God must be faithful in delivering the messages they receive.
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Distinguishing the Calls of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah

26. Isaiah’s call (Isaiah 6) involved a direct vision of God’s holiness, leading to his repentance and cleansing before being commissioned to deliver a difficult message of judgment.
27. Ezekiel’s call (Ezekiel 2-3) included a symbolic act of eating a scroll, signifying that the prophet must internalize God’s word before delivering it to a rebellious nation.
28. Jeremiah’s call (Jeremiah 1) focused on God’s intimate foreknowledge of Jeremiah’s life, and it included divine reassurance and empowerment in response to Jeremiah’s self-doubt.
29. Isaiah’s call involved a vision of God’s holiness and his direct cleansing before being sent on his mission, while Ezekiel’s call emphasized the internalization of God’s word (Isaiah 6 vs. Ezekiel 2).
30. Jeremiah’s call was characterized by a personal reassurance from God, who assured Jeremiah of divine protection, while Isaiah and Ezekiel both had to face intense resistance and opposition from the people.
31. Isaiah’s prophetic ministry involved a message of hope and restoration alongside judgment, whereas Ezekiel’s call focused more on personal responsibility and the prophetic act of eating the scroll (Isaiah 6 vs. Ezekiel 3).
32. Isaiah was called to speak to a nation already in rebellion and rejection of God’s message, while Ezekiel was called to prophesy to exiled Israel, and Jeremiah to a nation on the brink of destruction (Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 2, Jeremiah 1).
33. Isaiah’s call and vision were marked by his immediate willingness to accept God’s assignment, whereas Ezekiel and Jeremiah showed initial reluctance or hesitation before being reassured by God (Isaiah 6 vs. Ezekiel 3 vs. Jeremiah 1).
34. Ezekiel’s call involved a clear commission to prophesy to the exiles in Babylon, emphasizing the importance of obedience despite the people’s unresponsiveness, while Isaiah was called to the people in Judah (Ezekiel 2 vs. Isaiah 6).
35. Jeremiah’s ministry was deeply emotional, marked by his personal struggles with God’s message, while Isaiah and Ezekiel were more focused on the symbolic and prophetic acts of their call (Jeremiah 1 vs. Isaiah 6 vs. Ezekiel 2).
36. Ezekiel’s vision of the scroll in Ezekiel 3 symbolized the prophet’s complete internalization of God’s word, unlike Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness and Jeremiah’s direct call (Ezekiel 3 vs. Isaiah 6 vs. Jeremiah 1).
37. Jeremiah’s call included God’s assurance of protection and deliverance, while Isaiah’s call involved his personal cleansing through the coal (Jeremiah 1 vs. Isaiah 6).
38. The tone of Isaiah’s prophetic mission was one of majestic divine revelation, while Ezekiel’s call focused more on symbolic actions and obedience, and Jeremiah’s mission emphasized personal emotional connection and suffering (Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 2, Jeremiah 1).
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Comparing the Assignments Given to These Prophets

39. Isaiah’s assignment was to preach to Israel and Judah about their sin, judgment, and eventual restoration, a call marked by visions of God’s holiness and the difficult task of speaking to a nation that would largely reject him.
40. Ezekiel’s assignment was to prophesy to the exiled Israelites in Babylon, with the responsibility of both delivering judgment and promising restoration, emphasizing symbolic acts like eating the scroll (Ezekiel 3).
41. Jeremiah’s assignment was to deliver a message of doom to Judah before their exile, warning them of the coming destruction due to their sin, and urging them to repent.
42. Isaiah’s mission involved both judgment and the promise of hope for Israel, while Ezekiel’s mission focused heavily on the people’s unresponsiveness and the need for personal responsibility (Isaiah 6 vs. Ezekiel 2).
43. Ezekiel was assigned to be a watchman to the people of Israel, warning them of their sin and the consequences, whereas Jeremiah was tasked with calling for repentance to avoid judgment (Ezekiel 3 vs. Jeremiah 1).
44. Ezekiel’s symbolic acts of eating the scroll and laying on his side were part of his assignment to illustrate the severity of God's judgment and His call for the people to repent (Ezekiel 3).
45. Isaiah’s mission required him to speak about God’s holiness and judgment to a disobedient nation, promising eventual restoration for a remnant (Isaiah 6).
46. Jeremiah’s assignment emphasized a painful and deeply personal message, as he faced rejection and internal emotional struggles (Jeremiah 1).
47. Ezekiel’s prophetic acts were deeply symbolic, including the demonstration of the destruction of Jerusalem through symbolic gestures, contrasting with Isaiah’s more direct proclamations (Ezekiel 4 vs. Isaiah 6).
48. Jeremiah’s assignment included the repeated message of inevitable destruction if the people did not repent, which was a heavy burden that led to his nickname as the “weeping prophet” (Jeremiah 1).
49. Ezekiel’s mission was about personal accountability and the need for each individual to turn to God, while Isaiah’s was about corporate repentance for Israel as a nation (Ezekiel 3 vs. Isaiah 6).
50. Isaiah’s mission was largely focused on Israel’s spiritual future and restoration, while Ezekiel and Jeremiah’s missions focused on the immediate need for repentance to avert destruction (Isaiah 6 vs. Ezekiel 3 vs. Jeremiah 1).
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The Need for God’s People to Be Holy

51. Holiness is required for God's people to reflect His nature and character, as He is holy, and those called by Him must also strive for holiness (1 Peter 1:16).
52. Holiness involves both moral purity and separation from sin, and God’s people are called to live lives that are set apart for His purposes (Leviticus 11:44-45).
53. Isaiah 6:3 shows that God's holiness is a key aspect of His identity, and His people must mirror this holiness in their own lives to align with His will.
54. Jeremiah 1:10 emphasizes that God's people are called to act according to His word, uprooting evil and planting righteousness, which requires holiness in both action and thought.
55. Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises that God will give His people a new heart and a new spirit, empowering them to live in holiness and fulfill their divine call.
56. The call to holiness is about aligning one's life with God's standards of justice, mercy, and truth, reflecting His divine character in all areas of life.
57. Ezekiel 43:12 highlights that the temple is to be holy, symbolizing that God’s dwelling place, and by extension His people, must be holy and separate from sin.
58. Holiness is necessary for effective ministry, as only those who are holy can truly represent God and His justice, mercy, and righteousness in the world.
59. Jeremiah 7:5-7 stresses that God requires a people who are holy, not just in rituals but in their actions, as holiness is linked to justice, mercy, and true worship.
60. Holiness requires living according to God's laws and demonstrating His love, mercy, and justice, especially toward the poor, the marginalized, and those in need.
61. Ezekiel 20:12 speaks of God’s gift of the Sabbath, a symbol of holiness, which marks His covenant with His people and emphasizes the need for rest and reverence for God’s sanctity.
62. Isaiah 6:8 exemplifies the willingness to serve God that comes from a heart made holy, where Isaiah responds to God’s call with openness and obedience.
63. Jeremiah 31:33 shows that God’s covenant includes the law being written on the hearts of His people, signifying that holiness is internal, transforming thoughts, desires, and actions.
64. Isaiah 59:1-2 warns that sin separates people from God, making holiness essential for maintaining a close relationship with Him.
65. Holiness is required for God's people to be effective witnesses to the world, as living in alignment with God’s standards demonstrates His truth to others.
66. Ezekiel 18:21-23 teaches that turning from sin and living a holy life is necessary for God’s forgiveness, showing that holiness is linked to repentance and spiritual renewal.
67. Holiness equips God's people to be agents of change in a broken world, as they reflect His divine nature in their actions and relationships.
68. Jeremiah 3:22 speaks of God’s invitation to His people to return to Him, illustrating that holiness involves returning to God's ways after straying.
69. Holiness prepares God’s people to hear and understand His voice, as it clears the spiritual clutter and enables them to fully engage with His will.
70. Ezekiel 36:25-27 promises that God will cleanse His people and give them new hearts, making them holy so that they can live according to His commands.
71. Jeremiah 9:24 teaches that those who boast should boast in understanding and knowing God, whose holiness, justice, and righteousness are essential characteristics to reflect in life.
72. Isaiah 35:8 speaks of a highway of holiness, a pathway for God's people, showing that holiness is both a journey and a destination.
73. Ezekiel 44:9 warns that those who defile themselves through sin cannot enter the sanctuary, highlighting the necessity of holiness to dwell in God’s presence.
74. Jeremiah 23:14 critiques the leaders of Judah for their failure to live holy lives, showing the importance of holiness for spiritual leadership and moral integrity.
75. Holiness is necessary for the fulfillment of God's covenant, as it allows His people to live in the fullness of His blessings and to fulfill His divine purpose.
76. Isaiah 1:16-17 calls God's people to wash themselves, make themselves clean, and seek justice, linking holiness with social justice and moral behavior.
77. Ezekiel 44:23 teaches that the priests are to teach God’s people the difference between the holy and the common, emphasizing the importance of holiness for spiritual leadership.
78. Jeremiah 4:14 calls Israel to cleanse their hearts, symbolizing the necessity of inner holiness for true repentance and spiritual renewal.
79. Isaiah 4:3 indicates that those who are holy will be called "the ones who are written among the living," showing that holiness is linked to eternal life.
80. Ezekiel 11:19-20 promises a new heart and spirit to those who turn from their sin, signifying that holiness is not only a requirement but a gift from God to those who repent.

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