Isaiah 6:1–8—Isaiah received a vision of the LORD enthroned in His majesty and a call to be a prophet of God. Because he is a Son of Adam, and therefore a man of unclean lips, Isaiah is terrified to be in the LORD’s presence, for it spells doom to those under sin’s curse.
But an angel sent by God absolves Isaiah of his sin with a burning coal, and Isaiah accepts the mantle of prophecy. We, like Isaiah, must acknowledge our sin and tremble before a holy God. But we must also trust in the absolution won by the Son of God and pronounced by His called and ordained servants.
Isaiah is aware of standing in the very presence of God and God’s heavenly council (see the “us” in verse 6; and see 1 Kings 22:19 where the prophet Micah also “saw the LORD sitting on his throne,” surrounded by heavenly attendants). Isaiah knows he has truly been confronted by “the King, the LORD of hosts” (verse 5).
Even though encountering and being encountered by the holy God appropriately humble him, Isaiah has nothing to fear. God is not out to kill him, but rather to forgive him. Since this a direct experience of God, no sacrifice need be brought or offered. The fire of the altar, conveyed by the seraphs, is cleansing enough. Isaiah is forgiven (verses 6-7).
Isaiah was forgiven; and as the Book of Isaiah will proclaim, God’s people will be forgiven too (see Isaiah 40-66). Even the more immediate context of chapter 6 offers a word of hope. While chapter 7 illustrates the truth of 6:9-10 by relating King Ahaz’s failure to comprehend and trust, the following chapters anticipate a good and faithful king who will pursue the justice, righteousness, and peace that God wills (see Isaiah 9:2-7; 11:1-10; compare 5:1-7).
In the context of the Book of Isaiah, this good king-to-come finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the quintessential sign that the holy God will simply not separate God’s own self from “a people of unclean lips” (verse 5).
PRAYER OF THE DAY King of heaven and earth, As you cleansed Isaiah with a coal of fire to prepare him for proclaiming your word to the world, prepare us, so that we may know your bidding and carry out our callings with eagerness and urgency. Show the world greatness that cannot be contained any more than smoke or fire can be caught, in the name of the one who sacrificed everything to carry out your commands, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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