Isaiah 6:1-8
Read Isaiah 6:1-8
Helpful Background Information:
Isaiah is the son of Amoz (1:1) and lived in Judah (the southern kingdom) during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Isaiah was a husband, father, and disciple maker (ch 7-8). Isaiah was about 25 years old when he received this vision, and marks the start of his ministry which was from 740 BC - 681 BC.
Isaiah distinguishes that this vision happened in the year of King Uzziah’s death (740 BC). While this is easy to skip over, it had great significance to the Israelites of that time. Uzziah was a good king, but had a tragic ending. This left the people shaken, having many questions about who would be there for God’s people.
Seraphim are fiery angelic creatures that seem to serve as a kind of honor guard for God. They are not mentioned elsewhere, but scholars believe they are the “living creatures” described in Revelation 4:6-9. Their main activity appears to be praising God, and when they speak, the doorposts of God’s throne room shakes!
Live coals were taken inside the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:12), when the sacrifice was made to atone for sin. The hot coal symbolizes both God’s wrath and his process of purification. In order for sin to be forgiven, God’s wrath (which both destroys and purifies) must be released against the sin.
Reflection Questions:
When in the presence of the Lord, Isaiah realizes the weight of his sinfulness. The more we know God and his holiness, the more we realize how sinful and in need of a Savior we really are. Meditate on the attributes of God, especially his holiness, and confess your need for a Savior today.
How does Isaiah go from “woe is me…I am a man of unclean lips” to “here I am, send me”? What event happens for his heart to change? What does this mean for you today?
What are the similarities between Isaiah’s encounter with the Lord/commissioning and Ananias’ in Acts 9:10? Where is the Lord asking you to have a willing spirit to accomplish his purposes? Is there anything holding you back from this? Ask the Lord to continue to reveal areas of your life where you can willingly obey and serve Him, as well as a heart like Isaiah’s and Ananias’ to be sent because it pleases the Lord, not because of the difficulty of the circumstances.