INTRODUCTION
Scripture records a number of prophetic calls (Jeremiah 1; Ezekiel 1), but normally they occur at the beginning of the prophecy. Isaiah prophesies at some length before we learn about his call and the character of his ministry.
THE TEXT
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings . . . .” (Isaiah 6:1-13).
VISION IN THE TEMPLE
Isaiah’s vision takes place in the temple (v. 1), and specifically in the Most Holy Place, Yahweh’s throne room (v. 1). In the vision, even if not in reality, Isaiah is a priest. When the train of Yahweh’s glory-robe filled the temple earlier in the Bible, all the priests had to flee the temple (Exodus 40:34-38; 1 Kings 8:10-11). Yet, Isaiah is permitted to stay and see the glory from the inside (like Ezekiel – cf. Ezekiel 1). Yahweh is attended by six-winged seraphs (“burning ones”), who veil themselves before the Lord’s glory and shout out Yahweh’s glory (vv. 2-4). Whenever Yahweh appears, the earth shakes before Him (v. 4), because His glory fills the earth. Though we don’t see it, this is where we are every Lord’s day, in the presence of the glory, surrounded by angels.
UNCLEAN LIPS
No wonder Isaiah is struck with fear for his own life. He is an unclean citizen of an unclean people, and he finds himself standing in the presence of the holy one. Uncleanness and holiness do not mix, and unless something is done Isaiah is going to be ruined (v. 5). Isaiah has pronounced woes against Judah and Jerusalem (5:8-23), but now he pronounces a woe against himself. Like Moses (Exodus 6:12, 30), he knows that his lips are “uncircumcised” and require cleansing. A seraph solves the problem by touching Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the altar that stands before the Lord, which takes away his sin (vv. 6-7). His lips are now cleansed to proclaim Yahweh’s word to the unclean people.
DULL PEOPLE
Isaiah first “sees” the Lord, and now he “hears” his voice (v. 8). Yahweh is looking for a messenger to send to the people (cf. Revelation 5:2: “who is worthy to open the book?”). Isaiah volunteers but Yahweh tells him that the mission will be frustrating. Because the people worship blind, deaf, and dumb idols (Psalm 115:1-8; 135:14-21), they have become blind, deaf, and dumb themselves (vv. 9-10). Isaiah’s words will not make them less responsive. Hearts will become “fat” (literally, “oil”), ears heavy ( kabed , often translated as “glorious”), and eyes blind (v. 10). They will be like fat old Eli, and will topple from their chairs like he did. They have dulled themselves, and so Yahweh gives them over to their own dullness. This was precisely the ministry of Jesus (cf. Matthew 13:15).
UNTIL CITIES ARE EMPTY
Isaiah’s ministry will continue until the judgments that the Lord has pronounced against Judah and Jerusalem are fulfilled. Cities, houses, and the land will be left desolate, without inhabitants (v. 11). The heart of the land will be empty (v. 12). Yet, in the midst of this judgment, Yahweh will have mercy. The judgment against Judah will be a burning coal from the altar, which will cleanse and consecrate those who remain, leaving a remnant that is holy like the Holy Lord, a seed and branch growing again from the terebinth that has been cut (v. 13).