Isaiah 6:1-13

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Today, we will learn from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, the passage of Isaiah receiving his calling. The book of Isaiah is the central book in the Old Testament, and both its content and expression is brilliant. This book vividly expresses the figure of the Savior who was born eight centuries after Isaiah lived. You will surely notice that God is working in history through studying this book. When Isaiah received his calling, it was the time when the country of Israel was divided into two parts, north and south, and the northern Israel was destroyed and taken captive by Assyria. Isaiah also speaks to this Assyrian in Chapter 10, about the judgment of God. The Southern country, Judah was later destroyed by Babylon and taken captive. In such circumstances, Isaiah pointed out sins to the people of Southern Judah, he spoke to them to repent, since the time of restoration was about to come, and he prophesied that the savior will be born, and he will bring the new era. We all know that history repeats itself. Therefore, it is necessary for us to learn from the past mistakes. Even in our lives, we repent, receive forgiveness of sins and restoration, and start living a new life, that’s is the life that we go through as believers. Now, please read Isaiah 6: 1-13.
 
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:1 says,「In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne;」The year when King Uzziah died is around 740 BC. King Uzziah started a blessed life believing in God, but later he was struck by God for his pride and disbelief, and he died from leprosy. (Reference; II Chronicles 26: 16-23) It was the time when dark clouds cover the whole kingdom of Southern Judah. At such times, Isaiah saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne. The expression of the Lord seated on a throne means that the Lord is the one who reigns this world with absolute authority and power. The following expression of “the train of his robe filled the temple” means the entire temple is filled with the glory of God. Verse 2 expresses that His glory is so bright that even the angels covered their faces. It is written that the angels, described as Seraphim, covered their faces with two wings, and covered their feet with two, and they were flying with two. Before the holiness and glory of God, even the angels must cover their face and their feet. It shows that even angels must be humble in front of God the Father, who is purely holy, full of glory and dignity. If so, we humans should never be able to stand before God as who we are. When Isaiah saw the angels calling to one another; “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.”, he said in verse 5, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” This is the cry of Isaiah’s heart that stood before the Holy One. But the following verses 6 and 7 describe one of the seraphim flew with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar, and with it he touched Isaiah’s mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”」(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬) The live coal of the altar is the burnt charcoal of the sacrifice for sin, which means that the work of redemption was done for Isaiah. For us living in the New Testament, forgiveness of sins is given because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In the time of Old Testament, forgiveness of sins is given by animal sacrifice. God speaks to Isaiah, who has received the forgiveness of his sins. Verse 8 says, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬) God is expresses Himself in the plural, which reveals the existence of the Trinity God. By the way, the word glory is used to describe God the Father, but it is also used to describe the savior, the Son. In Isaiah 4: 2, the figure of the Savior, the Son is prophesied that He will be beautiful and glorious, shinning in glory like the Father God.

 Isaiah responded to God’s question and said, “Here am I. Send me!” He responded to His calling so simply, and this is the story of his vocation. When we see the holiness and glory of God, we receive the forgiveness of sins, and with thanksgiving heart, we simply respond to His calling saying “Here am I. Send me!” Every time I read this passage, it touches my heart. Last time, I explained the meaning of the word “providence”, which means loving God has seen my life in advance. He also provides for my needs. I also want to stand in that faith and respond to God’s calling. In the meantime, let us think about this.
Verse 9 and 10 shows us this reality of these people who hear the word of God yet never understand it. It is prophesied that the people of Southern Kingdom of Judah will also be captivated if they do not repent and return to God. However, it is also said that stumps will still remain, and it is promised that there will be faithful people remaining until the end. (verses 11-13) I believe that we shouldn’t be satisfied with an easy faith. Don’t be afraid of persecution. Also, we should never stop talking about the love of God. Let us believe that God will bring the work of restoration and He is the one preparing for a new life for those who return to God.

God’s calling is for us to be saved and to live in fellowship with Christ (1 Corinthians 1: 9). We hope that each and every one of us will be aware of this calling and live a life worthy of the calling we have received. (Ephesians 4: 1)

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