types of angels and their duties types of angels and their duties

Christians share Christs seat at Gods right hand. The Virtue Choir includes Uzziel, Gabriel, Michael, Peliel, Barbiel, Gabriel, Haniel, and Tarshish. The Bible mentions these different types of angels: Archangels: These angel leaders lead teams of angels working on specific types of God-given assignments. 31:4). First, there is always a bent in man for the miraculous or supernatural, for that which lifts him out of the mundane and pain of life, even if for a moment, but there is more to this issue. In the first sphere of angels, there are the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones choirs. 5:11; 8:1f), as worshippers in praise of Him (Isa. Angels never have their own agenda. 8:38, Eph. (Eds.). Cherubim, who are mentioned the most in Scripture, are commonly seen guarding the presence of God and the things of God. Here are a few of the ways the Bible tells us how many angels there are: Every biblical reference to the total number of angels suggests that theyre beyond counting. 11:14-15). NEW 2023 horror movie releases here! In addition, it illustrates a very poor grasp of what the Bible really teaches about angels and about God. Job 40:4-5 Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? Archangels mean first in ranking and messenger, from the Greek words archein, meaning first in rank or power, and Angelos, meaning messenger or envoy. So why did God allow it? 1:14) sent forth to serve the saints regardless of their high position and power. That their knowledge is greater is also suggested by the fact they were present at some of the heavenly counsels, were involved in conveying revelation (Gal. These angels are said to be messengers or armies of God, who carry out His missions, teachings, and messages to people on Earth. It was then, in answer to the Lords question, Whom shall I send? that the prophet said, Here am I, send me (see Isa. In a passage that refers to angels (the host or armies of heaven), we read, You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host . Rev. They always do the will of God and whatsoever God commands them, they dont have to think twice; they just do it! ; 36:8ff. Tell Me, if you have understanding. Are there different types of angels to carry out so many different tasks? God could not judge sin in the creature if He was the author of the creatures sin. Exodus 26:1 says, The tabernacle itself you are to make with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet; you are to make them with cherubim that are the work of an artistic designer.. Therefore, innately they possess greater knowledge. 8:16; 12:45; Luke 7:21; 8:2; 11:26; Acts 19:12; Rev. In Luke 1:2627 Gabriel told Mary that the One born to her would be great and rule on the throne of David. Adam was the head of the first race of men, but Christ became the head of the second race of regenerated men. Place of rule. 2:7). Ryrie suggests three reasons for their superior knowledge: (1) Angels were created as a higher order of creatures in the universe than humans are. They do not have any free-will and they obey Allahs commands to the WebIslam, however, classifies spiritual beings into angels ( malikah ), demons ( shyan ), and jinn (singular jinni ), or genies. Just as people usually do not think of the punitive ministry of angels, so people, in their popular ideas about angels, often ignore the Scriptures teaching about the deception of Satans evil angels (2 Cor. Man, who is so prone to idolatry as to worship the works of his own hands, would hardly be able to resist the worship of angels were they before his eyes.18. The added description, a holy one in verse 13 may imply there are unholy watchers, i.e., demonic forces who are watching the affairs of men and seeking to influence and destroy. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. God may send his angels to help us anytime and anywhere. He is the author of more than a dozen books including the bestselling. 14:12-15). Scripture reveals God to be perfect in holiness, love, benevolence, grace, and mercy. WebThough theologians have been cautious in their study of angels, watchful. Verse 17 may infer this is a special type of angel (if a special class is intended). Of course not. Must a person confess Jesus with his mouth to be saved? Mankind, including our incarnate Lord, is lower than the angels (Heb. Both words mean messenger and describe one who executes the purpose and will of the one whom they serve. The mission of the archangel is protector of Israel. They can lie, tempt us to sin, and harm us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. The angels as well as the celestial heavens are declared to be created by God. The Thrones are mentioned by Paul the Apostle in the book of Colossians. They have power over evil forces and fight demons. They seem to function as guardians of the holiness of God, having guarded the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24). 89:5, 7). 2:11; Eph. Consequently, the church becomes a means of unveiling both the manifold wisdom and grace of God to angels, for in Ephesians 2:4-7 Paul wrote: But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Hes also called one of the chief princes in Daniel 10:13, and appears to lead Gods angelic army in Revelation 12: Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated (Revelation 12:78). Heb 1:4ff with Col. 1:15-17). 3:16). Essentially, they function as priestly messengers (leitourgika pneumatata) in the temple-universe of God.30 From the account of their activities in the Bible, their service can be summarized as that of (1) the worship of God (Isa. In "Revelation Unveiled," Tim LaHaye writes: "The fact that Satan is once and for all cast from the throne of God along with his evil hosts will be cause for great rejoicing in heaven.". They chose self-corruption, knowing exactly what they were doing. Even Calvin was cautious in discussing this subject (Institutes, I, xiv, 3).2. 6:1-8). It is believed that each one of us has our very own guardian angel protecting and guiding us all our lives. These include seraphim angelswho worship God in heaven (described in Isaiah chapter 6); cherubim angels who guard what is holy (in the book of Genesis, cherubim appear in the Garden of Eden, and in the book of Exodus, God directs that cherubim likenesses should be featured on the Ark of the Covenant, etc. Scripture names three categories of heavenly beings that appear to be types of angels: cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures.. 22:22-31). 25:1722); and attended the glory of God in Ezekiels vision (Ezek. Angels are the divine beings between God and humans, and they are used by the Almighty to deliver messages or judgments to us here on Earth. I refuse to believe in a God like that.. Therefore, they know how others have acted and reacted in situations and can predict with a greater degree of accuracy how we may act in similar circumstances. 6:10-12). Wayne Grudems video lectures on Systematic Theology, The Intermediate State: What the Bible Tells Us. They patrol the earth as Gods representatives (Zechariah 1:1011). They sing praises to God and dance around him. Most likely, a cherubs face must look like that of an ox (Ez 1:10, 10:14). God pronounced His creation good (Gen. 1:31), and, of course, He could not create sin. Mans redemption and the recovery of paradise lost has always been based on what God would do through the seed of the woman, the Messiah Savior who would die as mans substitute, but also defeat Satan and, by implication, demonstrate Satans slander as false (cf. Please check errors and resubmit. As the distance between man and the lower forms of life is filled with beings of various grades, so it is possible that between man and God there exist creatures of higher than human intelligence and power. 12:12). This rebellion and fall is probably described for us in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:15 embodied in the kings of Babylon and Tyre.22 Prophesying of a future angelic conflict that will occur in the middle of the Tribulation, John wrote, And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. Though it is only by implication, the Bible alone gives us an answer to the problem of evil, which lies, in part at least, in the angelic conflict briefly described in the preceding paragraphs. Michael is the only angel designated archangel, and may possibly be the only one of this rank. Perhaps the most famous is the beast found in Revelatio What happens after you die? Principalities are in charge of managing the Earthly duties of the angels below them. Regardless, it is vital for faith and practice that we come to the point where we not only recognize our thoughts and ways are far different from His, but that in faith we accept what He has revealed. But where God has given us revelation or where we find Gods answers in the Bible, whether by explicit statement or by strong implicit arguments, our need is to humbly submit to what it teaches and put the things that still perplex us on the top shelf for later understanding. 6:3; Rev. They who until now had, filled with awe, been praising Him for the wonder of creation, now see His wisdom glorified in a new form in the Christian communion through the manifold ways by which lost men are saved. Guardian angels: The closest angels to humans are the guardian angels that help guard us during our earthly lifetimes. The two women mentioned in this passage are not specifically called angels, but they are clearly agents of God or forces of Satan, like angels, good or evil. They are the ones that we feel most connected to and their job is to guide and protect those who are on Earth. 1:14). While angels dont have physical bodies like humans do,angels can appear on Earth in different ways, including as light, with wings, and in forms that look human. But there is another truth regarding angels that needs to be kept in view. 9:2127). Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more. Hes mentioned in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel. We shouldnt pray to angels, either. One of the major networks has a popular program entitled Touched By An Angel. Certainly, this is just a story to entertain, but it does illustrate our fascination with this topic. For his pride and rebellion, he was judged and cast from his exalted position as the anointed cherub and sentenced to the lake of fire, the place of his eventual doom. Gen. 18:2; 19:1; Mark 16:3; Luke 24:4). By His essential nature and being, Christ is higher because He is God the Creator (cf. That angels have greater strength than man is evident from at least two considerations: (1) Specific Statements in Scripture: Scripture specifically speaks of their greater power. This was new.44. Since details about angels are not significant for that purpose, they tend to be omitted.3. Samuel compares it to divination (Hebrew, qesem, a general term for various occult practices or spiritism. However, only one name is mentioned in the Bible, and that is Michael. In the Bible, angels cant usually be seen by humans unless God reveals them (see Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13). 89:6, 8; 1 Sam. 6:4; 2 Pet. Today believers are experientially lower than the angels, yet positionally higher because of their union in Christ (cf. The book of Revelation speaks of several beasts. The name Michael means who is like God? and identifies the only one classified as an archangel in Scripture. God is able to answer prayer. 14 Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, Moody Press, Chicago, 1996, electronic media. Not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. 72:18). They manifest themselves unsought. 1:13). Raphael focuses on healing ministry. 9:22; Luke 1:11, 26; 2:9; Rev. Archangels: These angel leaders lead teams of angels working on specific types of God-given assignments. The book of Job gives us a good illustration of his defaming accusations against believers and how, at the same time, he seeks to malign the character of God. It is also used in connection with the seven churches of Asia, To the angel of the church in Some take this to mean a special messenger or delegation to the church as a teaching elder, others take it to refer to a guardian angel. Their job is to rule over Earth and preside over the lower hierarchy of angels. From the book of Job we are told that they were present when the earth was created (Job 38:4-7) so their creation was prior to the creation of the earth as described in Genesis one. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone (Psalm 91:1112). According to Scripture, theyre part of the universe God created. The seraphim remind us to always be zealous in worshiping and serving God. Rev. They are also known to be messengers of the most important tasks to accomplish. So while the mention of angels may seem incidental to some other subject contextually, it is an important element of divine revelation and should not be neglected, especially in view of the present craze and many misconceptions about angels. They appear in Isaiah 6:27, where they continually worship the Lord and say, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3). Ultimately, we should turn our attention away from fallen angels and think of holy angels as Gods helpers and our fellow creatures. In addition, tsaba sometimes includes the host of heavenly bodies, the stars of the universe. They are known to help humans overcome temptations from Satan. 1. In Matthew 6:1, Christ warned, Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. It may also be that there are powers and principalities which further describe rank in the angelic realm, butthis is debated. Second, they are called holy because of their purpose. In their holy state, unfallen angels are called sons of God in the sense that they were brought into existence by the creation of God (Job 1:6; 38:7). 11:3; 1 Peter 1:12). In his rebellion, he took with him one-third of the angels (Rev. 22:30) and do not die (Luke 20:36).15. Privacy Policy. 148:2, 5; Heb. Gabriel is the only other angel named in the Bible. 20:3). This word underscores the fact that angels and demons have greater power than humans (2 Peter 2:11). Though angels did appear to people at various times in Scripture, the people apparently never sought those appearances. In Revelation 4:8-11, their continuous praise evokes the praise of the twenty-four elders which is aimed at Gods worthiness as the Sovereign Creator. 10 The Bible Knowledge Commentary, NT, John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Editors, Victor Books, 1983, electronic media. This Lamb is alone able to accomplish what no one else in the universe is qualified and able to do. As an angelic being, Satan, along with his demon-like angels, is supernaturally powerfully and brilliant, and uses all his powers against humanity. Finally, the living creatures are seen several times in Revelation. 4:14). All rights reserved. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? The Third Sphere of Angels is said to be angels that are closest to humans. This, of course, is the crucial issue. 12:7). According to the Bible, the original human sin as recorded in Genesis 3 is not the first sin in the universe. Weve been made to believe that angels are always around us. 12:25-27). 11:36-40). (1) Michael (Dan. They were set apart by God and for God as His servants and as attendants to His holiness (cf. Though writing about their invisibility to mankind, Chafer has an interesting comment: One reason angels are rendered invisible to human sight may be that , if they were seen, they would be worhiped. They represent purity and royalty and miracles are attributed to them. So John was told to worship God. The worship of angels (as with any other object of worship) distracts from the worship of God and attributes godlike powers to the object of worship. In this regard, Elishas confidence and prayer for his servant to see the myriad of angels surrounding them in the face of the human forces, suggests their greater power (2 Kings 6:15-17). Unlike humans, angels do not have to study the past; they have experienced it. We would simply not have the ability to grasp it in our present state (cf. As they cry out to one another in praise, Scripture says we should do the same. Thats where systematic theology is helpful: scholars like Wayne Grudem carefully organize everything the Bible says about a topic, so you can see it all at once. Job 38:7; Neh. 1, Abridged Edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, Victor Books, Wheaton, Ill., 1988, p. 289. Believers sometimes feel that they can go it alone or expect victory without any prior, organized preparation and discipline. 4:8). First Sphere of Angels. They are constantly seen in the activities of worshipful adoration of God and in humble service, totally submissive to the will of God. 2:14-16). This is a list of angels in theology, including both specific angels (e.g., Gabriel) (3) Finally, there are numerous references to angels by the Lord Jesus, who is declared to be the Creator of all things, which includes the angelic beings. Regarding the governmental rulers in the angelic world, Ryrie described this as follows: 1. There are three types of angels in the Bible Scripture names three categories of heavenly beings that appear to be types of angels: cherubim, seraphim, For instance, the doctrine of the trinity is not explicitly taught in the Bible, but it is clearly taught implicitly in Scripture. 10:21; 11:1). Because, as will be discussed in more detail later, angels are servants of God, described by the author of Hebrews as, ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation. See also Psalm 91:11 and Matthew 4:11. They are protectors of humans and are usually depicted as warriors or soldiers with swords. 28:11-19).39 In addition, the Lord also explicitly tells us that the lake of fire was prepared for Satan and his angels (Matt. On Mount Sinai, God came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand (Deuteronomy 33:2). Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. However, we have no assurance that what is true of cherubim and seraphim is true of angels in general. That they are ministering spirits who minister to the saints is presented as a general truth of the Bible and should not be restricted to Bible times. The pendulum has swung back to mysticism as it is seen so prominently in the New Age movement, the occult, and in the cults. Created by God, these types of angels All angels deliver messages of some kind in the work they do. 6:2), cherubim (Ezek. 2 Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, Victor Books, Wheaton, IL, 1987, chapter 17, electronic media. 35 Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition, Moody Press, Chicago, 1995, p. 1964. Further, other passages clearly teach us that there are often angelic or demonic forces behind the reign of human kings or kingdoms (cf. Shortly after I asked God to help me, I encountered a tall human man, whose voice and words appeared angelic in nature. In these two chapters, however, there is a strong emphasis on the holiness of God, His worthiness to receive glory and honor, and on the worthiness of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus, to open and pour out the seals and to reign and receive glory and honor. Our desire and prayer should be that we will do the same. In Revelation a number of angels are specifically associated with certain judgments that will be poured out on the earth like the seven trumpets and the seven last plagues (Rev. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 2. Even Satan, a fallen angel, with his angelic powers must operate under the permissive will of God (Job 1:12; 2:6). Whether angels continue to function in all these ways throughout the present age is uncertain. Believers sometimes miss the best because they do not plan and organize their good works.24, This is further supported by Judes statement regarding the angels who left their domain (NASB) or positions of authority (NIV) in Jude 6. 12:22; Dan. Angels are called mighty ones who do his word (Psalm 103:20), powers (see Ephesians 1:21), and dominions and authorities (Colossians 1:16). Watchers: Watchers is an Aramaic word which means, vigilant, waking, watchful. Verse 17 may infer this is a special type of angel (if a special class is intended). 3:16). The holy angels are messengers of God, serving Him and doing His bidding. 4:16 and Jude 9. 32 The material covering the ministry of angels in their various relationships is adapted from Ryries, Basic Theology, pp. Two golden figures of cherubim sit above the Ark of the Covenant, where God promised to dwell among his people (Exodus 25:22, see also verses 1821). (He is called Michael your prince in Dan. 22:28-30; Luke 20:20-36). 1-3, 11, 14; 16:14).12 (emphasis mine). Satans claim was that Job only worshipped God because of all God had given to him; it was not because Job loved God for who He was or because God deserved to be worshipped as the Holy and Sovereign Creator. function() { 3:10) are also mentioned, but no further details are given. 9 Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 8:29; 2 Cor. First, as holy creatures they are concerned for the worship and glory of God that is His due as the holy and infinite Creator. Some also identify the four living ones of Revelation 4:6 as cherubim, though others feel these represent the attributes of God. However, Gabriel, who is considered an archangel, appears in both the OT and NT. WebDuties of Angels. Satan is a rebel, a liar, a murderer, a deceiver, a slanderer, a tempter, a distorter, and one who opposes all that is good, righteous, and holy. In addition, some angels are related to special functions given to them, at least in these last days. The Angels of Power appear in their celestial form as brightly colored, hazy fumes. Col. 2:15), Satan is not confined there now, but he and his fallen angels will be and this is a great point of anticipation in the Bible (cf. If he neglects to obey, angels will also see and be grieved. To emphasize the seriousness of particular commands, Paul reminds us that our actions are carried out in the presence of angelic witnesses: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without favor, doing nothing from partiality (1 Timothy 5:21, see also 1 Corinthians 4:9). Good angels, Satan, and demons show emotions (Luke 2:13; James 2:19; Rev. On the other hand, it seems that the holy angels, being faced with the same ethical choice and possessing the same God-given ability to choose, remained and are confirmed in their state of holiness. The psalmist explained that no harm or disaster can befall those who have made the Lord their refuge (mahseh, shelter from danger; ) because He has commissioned angels to care for them. The word seraphim (singular is seraph) is probably a translation of fiery ones and probably stems from the fiery imagery often associated with the Presence of God (cf. 4. 669670). He alone is found worthy to open the seven-sealed book and break its seals (cf. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. 25 "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. An interesting note is that in Rom. That the Angel of the Lord is a Christophany is suggested by the fact a clear reference to the Angel of the Lord ceases after the incarnation. They minister to us at His bidding under His authority and power. From celebrating worship in heaven to responding to peoples prayers on earth, angels are constantly working on diverse assignments from God. They are holy angels who have. 3:7) and lavished Solomons temple (1 Kings 6:26ff). Hes also identified as Gods messenger in Luke 1. Entertaining angels unawares brings to mind Abraham (Gen. No other passages address relationships between angels, so anything beyond this is simply speculation. 1:2-4, 13). What amazing condescension! 1:12). However, this may not be true. 12:7), and of a king over the demon-locusts (9:11). They are also in charge of sending duties of the lower angels. (2) Further, these many references are scattered throughout the Bible being found in at least 34 books from the very earliest books (whether Job or Genesis) to the last book of the Bible (Revelation). Please reload CAPTCHA. On the other hand, Michael the archangel seems to be a warrior angel (Rev. 4:17) and seek to influence their human leaders (Dan. Only Archangel Michael is most noted for casting Lucifer, the leader of the fallen angels, out of Heaven by the command of God. And we are indeed the ones who glorify Allah.. 25:41). Powers are responsible for advising in religion, theology, and ideology. Now our culture takes angels seriously, if not accurately. Q. Lets do a quick recap of the different types of angels:Archangels: A high ranking type of angelCherubim: First angel mentioned in scripture.Seraphim: Seen around the throne room of God (mentioned in Isaiah)The Living Creatures: Seen around the throne room of God (mentioned in the Book of Revelation)Common Angels: Angels that are mentioned throughout scripture If you have any questions, please review our, Wayne Grudem is research professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona. They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). Archangels are some of the most popular angels known to man. If Timothy follows Pauls instructions, angels will witness his obedience and glorify God. (2) Gabriel (Dan. 3:10). Jesus teaches us to pray, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10), and in heaven Gods will is done by angels, immediately, joyfully, and without question. God is infinitely wise. As Chafer writes, The fall of some angels is no more unanticipated by God than the fall of man. NEW Upcoming horror movies here! The Living Creatures: These are angelic creatures who seem to be involved with revealing the glory of the God of Israel in His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence (Ezek. Illustrations of their power are seen in Acts 5:19; 12:7, 23; Matthew 28:2 (the stone rolled away by the angel weighed about 4 tons). In fact, they are believed to dwell in the heavens and only come to Earth when they have a task to fulfill, or when they are set to send us a message. For instance, God cannot lie (Tit. 1:13; Gal. (In sports terms, the angels may be playing zone rather than man-on-man defense.). They are also given the task of sending other angels on a mission to help protect humans from possible danger. While the meaning of this passage is debated, it does show us that angels not only have a domain or area of authority assigned to them, but a dwelling place. They are occasionally pictured in other forms and in other manifestations as with wings, and as a combination of man, beast, and birds as in Ezekiel 1:5f and Isaiah 6:6. Scripture doesnt tell us if this refers to Michael, or if there are other archangels as well. The minimum spiritual level for humans to make it to Heaven ( Swarga) after death is 50% ( samashi ) or (60% ( vyashi ). Though Gods Power Be Sufficient to Govern Us, 2:26; Jude 6). Hebrews 12:22, for instance, describes thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.. Ruling angels (Eph. Fallen angels also have a king who is referred to as the angel of the Abyss (vs. 11). Apparently some fallen angels are in bondage while others are unbound and active among mankind as demons.13. 1:16, 20). If the angels (the sons of God) shouted for joy when God was forming the earth, this could imply that God created the angelic beings early on the first day. There are different kinds of angels with different characteristics and roles: cherubim, seraphim, and archangels. They sinned without remedy, and there is no atonement for them (II Peter 2:4; Jude 6). 1, Part 3, Abridged Edition, John F. Walvoord, Editor, Donald K. Campbell, Roy B. Zuck, Consulting Editors, Victor Books, Wheaton, Ill., 1988, p. 284. Romans 12:11 says, Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. In addition, the seraphim remind us to be zealous in getting rid of sin in our lives, so God can use us, even as he did with Isaiah.