In Isaiah 6, Isaiah, a prophet of God, was given a vision of the Lord sitting on His throne, high and lifted up. The seraphim, angelic beings, surrounded the throne, calling out, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” The scene was so powerful that the very foundations of the temple shook, and the room filled with smoke.
Isaiah’s response to seeing God’s holiness was immediate:
“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
Isaiah’s View of Himself Changed
When Isaiah saw God in all His glory, he couldn’t help but see his own sinfulness. He realized that his words—things he likely relied on as a prophet—were unclean. He didn’t stop there; he also admitted that the people around him were unclean too. Seeing the holiness of God gave Isaiah a clear and honest picture of his unworthiness.
This wasn’t self-pity or false humility. Isaiah wasn’t comparing himself to others. He was comparing himself to the holy God, and he knew he fell short.
God’s Response to Isaiah’s Humility
Isaiah’s brokenness wasn’t the end of the story. When Isaiah admitted his sinfulness, God responded with mercy and cleansing. Here’s what happened next:
1. Cleansed by God: One of the seraphim flew to Isaiah with a live coal taken from the altar. The angel touched the coal to Isaiah’s lips and said, “Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged” (Isaiah 6:7). The fire symbolized purification, showing that God could remove Isaiah’s sin and make him fit to serve. Isaiah didn’t have to clean himself up—God did the work.
2. Called by God: After Isaiah was cleansed, he heard God’s voice: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8). This wasn’t a direct command, but an open invitation. God was looking for someone willing to deliver His message.
3. Isaiah’s Willingness: Isaiah immediately replied, “Here am I; send me.” His encounter with God and the cleansing of his sin filled him with a new desire to serve. He no longer felt unworthy or afraid. Instead, he was ready to step forward and obey.
4. Commissioned by God: God gave Isaiah a difficult mission. He was to preach to a rebellious people who wouldn’t listen or understand. Isaiah asked how long he would have to keep going, and God told him to continue until judgment came. But even in the midst of this hard task, there was hope. God revealed that a remnant would remain—a “holy seed” that would one day restore what was broken.
What We Learn from Isaiah’s Experience
Isaiah’s vision teaches us several important lessons about God and ourselves:
• God’s Holiness Reveals Our Sin:
When Isaiah saw God in His glory, he saw his own unworthiness. The closer we draw to God, the more we realize our need for His cleansing.
• God Cleanses and Prepares Us:
Isaiah felt undone, but God didn’t leave him in that state. The live coal from the altar shows that God forgives and equips us for His work. When we confess our sins, He is faithful to cleanse us (1 John 1:9).
• Humility Leads to Service:
Isaiah’s honesty about his sin didn’t disqualify him. Instead, it prepared him. When he heard God’s call, he was ready to answer, “Here am I; send me.” True service to God begins with humility.
• God’s Call Isn’t Always Easy, but It’s Always Worthy:
Isaiah’s mission was hard. He preached to people who wouldn’t listen. But his obedience was part of God’s larger plan. In the same way, God’s calling on our lives may be challenging, but we can trust that it has eternal purpose.
Are You Ready to Say, “Here Am I”?
Like Isaiah, we need to see God as He truly is—holy and mighty—and see ourselves honestly in light of His holiness. When we do, we’ll understand our need for His cleansing and His power to change us.
If God were to ask, “Whom shall I send?” how would you respond? Isaiah teaches us that when we humble ourselves, God not only forgives us but also gives us the strength to say, “Here am I; send me.” Will you answer the call?
