The Vision Experienced: The Call of Isaiah (Isaiah 6)
Exploring the Book of Isaiah
The sixth chapter of Isaiah marks the spiritual epicenter of the prophet’s life and ministry. It is a profound, life-altering event—a divine encounter that serves as the blueprint for every genuine call to service. It records not just a historical moment, but a necessary profound experience in the presence of God that transforms the servant.
1. The Timing: The Sovereignty of the King
The vision is precisely dated: “In the year of King Uzziah’s death” (v. 1). This timing is intentional, contrasting the fleeting nature of human rule with the eternal reign of God.
- Human Frailty: King Uzziah, once a powerful and successful monarch, died as an arrogant leper, cut off from the Temple due to his pride (2 Chron. 26:16-23). His death created a vacuum of human leadership.
- Divine Continuity: In that moment of earthly instability, Isaiah saw the true King: “the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.” .
- Theological Truth: Earthly kings and leaders are mere stewards (Rom. 13:3-4). God is the eternal Sovereign whose reign endures forever (Dan. 4:2-3). The true servant must first see the sovereignty of God and avoid placing misplaced trust or judgment on fallen human leaders.
2. The Vision: The Majesty of Holiness
Isaiah saw two inseparable attributes of the Sovereign King:
A. His Sovereignty (v. 1)
God’s sovereignty is described powerfully:
- Sitting on a Throne: He reigns supreme and is in control.
- Lofty and Exalted: He is absolutely above all creation.
- Robe Filling the Temple: His glory is the essence of His presence, and it fills every space He occupies.
B. His Holiness (vv. 2–4)
This is the only attribute of God described in the superlative (“Holy, Holy, Holy”), repeated by the Seraphim (meaning “burning ones”) .
- The Angels’ Posture: The Seraphim demonstrated profound reverence: they covered their faces (unworthy to look upon Him) and their feet (humility before His presence).
- The Reaction: The very foundations of the thresholds trembled, and the temple filled with smoke (a visible sign of the divine presence).
- Message: Sovereignty and Holiness go together (Rev. 4:8-10). Those called to ministry must first see the holiness of God; otherwise, they risk treating the ministry as their own or failing to live the holy lives demanded by their calling (1 Thess. 2:9-12).
3. The Transformation: Conviction and Atonement
In the presence of such blinding glory, Isaiah’s natural response was a breakdown of self-righteousness, leading to purification.
A. Conviction: Recognizing Unworthiness (v. 5)
Isaiah was instantly convicted, crying, “Woe to me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips… For my eyes have seen the King.”
- The Sinner’s Fate: The Holy Presence exposed Isaiah’s sinfulness and unworthiness, convincing him that he was “undone”—a sinner who dared to look upon God.
- The Unclean Lips: The lips are the instrument of communication, closely connected to the heart (“the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart,” Matt. 12:34). Isaiah recognized his greatest asset was his deepest sin.
B. Purification: Cleansing by Fire (vv. 6–7)
A Seraph flew to him with a burning coal taken from the altar. This fire was applied directly to his mouth.
- Symbolic Cleansing: The coal symbolized the atoning sacrifice. The fire cleansed him from guilt, making “atonement” for his sin.
- Ignition: The purifying fire prepared the instrument (the lips/mouth) for ministry, similar to the igniting power the apostles received at Pentecost.
Message: God requires that those He sends be purified and ignited by the Holy Spirit. Those who have truly experienced the Holy Presence are humble, not proud, and face their ministry with courage and dependency on God, not through their own strength.
4. The Commission: A Difficult Mandate
Once purified and prepared, Isaiah heard the ultimate call.
A. The Lord’s Invitation (v. 8a)
The Lord asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” This is not a desperate plea, but a statement of divine need, calling for a qualified volunteer.
B. The Servant’s Response (v. 8b)
Isaiah’s response was immediate, unconditional, and courageous: “Here am I. Send me!“
- His conviction (I am ruined) was answered by his cleansing (guilt is taken away).
- His fear was replaced by an ignited spirit, ready for service.
C. The Difficult Work (vv. 9–10)
Isaiah’s specific task was grim: to preach a message of judgment that would cause the people to become even more insensitive, dull, and blind—a declaration of judgment, not a call to immediate repentance.
- The Purpose: This ministry was not meant to heal, but to expose the people’s stubbornness and prepare them for God’s full judgment (like Pharaoh, whose heart God hardened to fully display His power, Rom. 9:22).
- The Lesson: God’s servants must be willing to preach exactly what God instructs, even if the message is difficult or counter-intuitive to human ideas of success.
D. The Hope of the Stump (vv. 11–13)
When Isaiah asked, “Lord, how long?” God answered with the extent of the devastation—until the land is utterly desolate. Yet, in the midst of ruin, God promised a lifeline:
- “Yet there will still be a tenth portion in it… The holy seed is its stump.“
- Message: God’s faithfulness prevails over His wrath. The nation will be cut down, but a stump (a faithful remnant) remains, holding the ability to grow back and ensuring the preservation of the Messianic line.
Conclusion
The Call of Isaiah demands that we seek a clear vision of God’s majesty and glory first. Our behavior and perseverance in ministry are the ultimate evidence of whether we have truly encountered the Sovereign, Holy God and been cleansed by His fire.
Would you like to explore the specifics of Isaiah’s difficult ministry as he confronted the kings of Judah?
