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Overview 

Isaiah 6 seems out of place. This feels like it should be Isaiah 1. Here we read of Isaiah’s vision, a throneroom scene. Angels worshipping. The foundations shake. And then we read of Isaiah’s prophetic calling. He views himself as unworthy, but nevertheless answers the call to preach to a stubborn, stiff-necked people. 

Isaiah 6:1-3

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 

And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

The vision shows us the true King. YHWH, the Great I AM, He is the King of Kings. 

But the throne room scene! It takes your breath away, doesn’t it? Here we are introduced to the Seraphim, this unique group of angels created exclusively to worship in the presence of God. I would encourage you to not view this vision with a “wooden” literalness. These are spirit beings. The wings are symbols, literary markers. Angels do not need actual wings to fly, to move in and out of dimensions. Why wings, then? The angels cover their feet and their faces because they are in awe, in reverence. Worship without awe is not worship at all. 

Isaiah 6:5-7

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Isaiah speaks for all humanity. We are all born unclean. We all speak with unclean lips. But notice what the angel does. He puts a burning coal on the lips of Isaiah and his guilt is gone and his sin atoned for. Quite the impressive burning coal, right? I agree with many scholars. This “burning” coal is a foreshadowing, pointing us to the One who will bring COMPLETE atonement, the forgiveness of sins. Only the Lamb of God can do that. Only Jesus can cry out–IT IS FINISHED. 

Isaiah 6:8

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

This scene always gives me goosebumps. Who will answer the call? Who will step up? Who will go into battle? Isaiah responded. He said, “Here I am.” That is all we are supposed to do. Answer the call. Where will God send us? Who knows. But the greatest adventures are when you say “Yes” to God. 

Do you hear His voice? Say yes. You will never regret it.