Isaiah 6:1-8 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Solomon’s temple was quiet that morning. Even though the place was thronged with worshipers, there seemed to be a holy hush. Isaiah, the son of Amoz, had come to the temple that morning, drawn by a compulsion to be there. It was almost as if an unseen hand had pulled him out of bed early, impelling him to dress as quickly as possible, as if he was almost late for an unknown appointment. All Isaiah knew was that he had to get to the temple as swiftly as possible. Now Isaiah was standing as close as it was possible for someone of his class to get to the altar. Around him, the noise of the crowd seemed to disappear, and then…then Isaiah saw the Lord, and nothing would ever be the same again.
Few people have ever had as dramatic a call as Isaiah. The Lord appeared to Isaiah, with His train filling the temple. Mighty seraphim were praising the Lord, the temple was filled with smoke, and the temple seemed to be shaking to its foundations. There was the sound of a mighty rushing wind as the seraphim proclaimed God’s glory. Did any of the other people in the temple hear or see the same things Isaiah did? Likely, no. Isaiah was in a “thin place,” a place where the veil between earthly things and heavenly things had parted, allowing Isaiah a glimpse of eternal truths. For the others attending temple that morning, they might have felt particularly moved but they might have attributed those feelings to themselves and not to God.
As soon as Isaiah was in God’s presence, he realized his sinfulness. “Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Isaiah fully recognized his unworthiness to be in the presence of God; however, seraphim brought coals from the altar, touching his lips with the coals, and sanctifying him. Why the coals? Fire purifies, destroying impurities and anything ephemeral. But these coals came from the altar of sacrifice, symbolizing Isaiah’s future sufferings and the death he would eventually incur at the hands of wicked King Manasseh.
God made Isaiah’s calling clear:
9-13 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”
Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?”
And he replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland; until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted. If even a tenth—a remnant—survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.”
When we think of a holy calling, we envision bright futures filled with people welcoming our ministries. But look what God is promising Isaiah. God is warning Isaiah that He is sending Isaiah to warn the Israelites of impending doom. The Israelites have certain expectations from their prophets, and gloomy messages are not included in those expectations. The Israelites have embraced the form of religion but are not practicing the substance. God is warning the Israelites to repent, or Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed, many people slaughtered, and the remainder carried off. Although the Assyrians are threatening Jerusalem, eventually, it’s the Babylonians who will carry people off from the Southern Kingdom. Countless generations have taken encouragement from those prophecies, and Jesus himself will quote Isaiah.
Why is Isaiah’s calling so much more dramatic than that of many others? Isaiah is being called to a tremendous ministry, but one that will eventually lead to his death. God anoints Isaiah with fire because Isaiah’s ministry will be one of fire, refining, purifying, and graphically demonstrating the sins of Israel.
Be careful what you wish for! Isaiah’s calling is very dramatic because his ministry will be equally dramatic, ultimately resulting in Isaiah being beaten and then sawed in two. But why did God select Isaiah in the first place?
When Isaiah went to the temple that morning, it was his normal habit; Isaiah habitually worshiped the Lord. We don’t know the details of Isaiah’s family background; however, his command of prophetic language indicates that he enjoyed an excellent education and that he was a serious student of the Scriptures. We also know that Isaiah was sensitive to the Presence of the Lord while others were not. Even so, Isaiah was conscious of his sinfulness and his failings, practically begging God to purify him.
Throughout history, very few people have had as dramatic a calling as Isaiah; yet God tailors our calls to fit our circumstances and our natures. Faced with the Lord and His seraphim, Isaiah worships but does not collapse in fear or heart failure. But notice that once God calls Isaiah, He also changes him, purifying him and establishing him to become God’s mouthpiece. When God calls, God also will purify if we let Him. And when God calls, He will set us apart, if we will let Him.
What can we learn from Isaiah’s call? God demands purity. God will call us as we are but then God will begin changing us into His image. None of us is good enough without the transforming power of God working in our lives. Most of us will never experience the ecstasies and agonies that Isaiah did; however, God will speak to each one of us, if we will only tune our ears to listen for His still small voice. But notice something: God will never force Himself on you. You must choose to accept a call, for God always respects our free will.
Are you frustrated, feeling that God has not called you to do anything? Perhaps your calling is right in front of you, but because it isn’t grand or dramatic, you have ignored it. There’s a lot to be said for doing small things with great love, as Mother Teresa was fond of saying. If you will begin to do things you know would please God, He will guide you. Remember, God cannot guide you if you’re sitting still, but only when you are in motion. Get up! Get going! But listen for God as you are doing so. And always remember that there will be unlimited need for continual repentance, for you are serving a Holy God.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please help all those reading these words to understand that You have a special calling just for them and that You love them just as much as You did Isaiah. Cause them to say “Yes” to Your call and to allow You to cleanse them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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