Isaiah’s Vision
We have begun a journey through the book of Isaiah, a prophet who spoke with piercing clarity about judgment and hope, justice and mercy. This series is not just about Isaiah—it is about Jesus. Among the books Jesus quoted most were Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Isaiah. The prophecies of Isaiah point directly to the coming Messiah, making this a Jesus series in disguise.
Isaiah’s Context: A Nation in Turmoil
Isaiah lived through the reigns of four kings—Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh. The landscape of his time was one of political upheaval and spiritual decline. His message carried two major themes: judgment is coming and hope is coming. The people of Judah would face destruction at the hands of Assyria and Babylon, yet a promise remained—a Messiah would come to restore all things.
The Vision in the Throne Room
Isaiah’s calling is found not in chapter one, but in chapter six. The moment was pivotal: King Uzziah had died after a long and prosperous reign. For many, he was the only king they had ever known. With Assyria steamrolling neighboring nations, uncertainty filled the air. It was in this moment that Isaiah received a vision of the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne, with the train of his robe filling the temple.
The imagery is overwhelming. The temple, a massive structure akin to a modern arena, is filled with just the hem of his robe. The presence of God is so vast, so grand, that even the foundations shake. Above the throne stand the seraphim—fiery, celestial beings who proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
The word holy carries two meanings: set apart and morally pure. The seraphim, in repeating it three times, emphasize the supreme holiness of God—completely unlike us, infinitely beyond us.
Isaiah’s Response: ‘Woe to Me!’
In the presence of such holiness, Isaiah is undone. He sees himself for who he truly is: a man of unclean lips, surrounded by a people of unclean lips. His confession is not about a struggle with swearing—it is about the sinful speech that flows from the heart. Gossip, deceit, flattery, pride—all of it is exposed before the radiance of God’s purity.
But then, something remarkable happens. A seraph takes a burning coal from the altar and touches Isaiah’s lips. “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” The fire does not destroy—it purifies. The coal represents God’s presence and cleansing power, foreshadowing the cross. Jesus, the Holy One, came down to purify us, not with fire from an altar, but with his own sacrifice.
The Call: ‘Here Am I, Send Me’
God then asks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah, now cleansed, responds, “Here am I, send me.”He does not even know the assignment, yet he offers himself fully.
And then the mission is revealed: a hard and heartbreaking call. Isaiah is to preach to a people who will not listen, whose hearts are calloused and eyes are blind. His task is not to bring immediate revival, but to be faithful even when rejection is certain. He will proclaim truth for 58 years, witnessing the fall of the northern kingdom and the suffering of his own people.
Yet, in the final verses of Isaiah 6, there is a glimmer of hope: “The holy seed will be the stump in the land.” Though destruction will come, a remnant will remain. From this stump will rise a shoot—the Messiah. Centuries later, Jesus would quote Isaiah 6, applying it to his own ministry. The people of his day, like those in Isaiah’s time, had hardened hearts. Yet for those who truly sought, he would open their eyes and ears to the kingdom of God.
Three Responses Today
Isaiah’s vision challenges us even now. No matter where you are reading this, you may find yourself in one of these three categories:
Coal People – Those who recognize their sin and need purification. Just as Isaiah was cleansed, we, too, can come to God and receive his grace through Jesus.
Send Me People – Those ready to say, “God, whatever you want, I will do.” It may not be a glamorous calling, but it is a surrendered one.
More People – Those who long for a deeper understanding of God, a greater desire to hear, obey, and grow in faith.
The call is clear. Will we humble ourselves before God’s holiness? Will we allow him to purify us? And when he asks, “Who will go?” will we say, “Here am I, send me”?
Message recap adapted from February 16, 2025, message by Minister Mark Ashton
