God Sends
Isaiah 6:1–13
God’s Glory (1–4)
Isaiah received his calling directly from God, as do all true prophets. The vision seen here is the calling of Isaiah. This is one of the more famous passages in Scripture involving the holiness of God. The seraphim surround God, saying “Holy, Holy, Holy,” indicating the emphatic nature of God’s holiness.
Of course, God’s holiness is seen throughout the Bible, and it is often seen as one of God’s two main attributes, the other being love. This is very important for Christians to understand in our modern setting.
In Western societies, we tend to focus on God’s love and mercy often at the expense of His holiness. This leads to the next point.
God’s Forgiveness (5–7)
Isaiah recognized his unworthiness to be in the presence of a righteous and holy God. When one is faced with God, one immediately realizes how unworthy he or she is, and it results in terror and woe.
Isaiah was aware of his sinfulness, but God cleansed him in order to allow him to speak His word to the people of Israel.
It is important for people today to understand that no matter how good they may seem, sin has rendered each of us unworthy (see Rom. 3:23). Many people believe they are “good” or their friend who is not a Christian is a good person; therefore, God will extend salvation to him or her because God is love.
However, holiness means God is pure and righteous and cannot be in the presence of sin. The only way for people to be made right with God is if our sins are forgiven and we are deemed righteous.
This happens in Christ alone (see Eph. 1:7, 2 Cor. 5:21). Just because someone is “religious” or “a good person” in our estimation does not mean God will accept that person as somehow being righteous.
God’s Call (8–10)
God asked, in the presence of Isaiah, who was willing to go and speak His word to Israel. Isaiah, now having been purified, did not want to miss out on serving God, even though his message was going to be one of judgment. He knew most of the people hearing the message would not repent and turn back to God.
Notice how Isaiah was willing to serve God even though the task was daunting and likely frustrating. It did not matter to Isaiah because serving God is what brought him satisfaction.
We all should approach serving God with gladness, not with grumbling and annoyance.
Being chosen to serve God is a great privilege, and Christians should jump at the opportunity.
Of course, serving God looks different for each person. We cannot choose someone else’s calling.
We need to be obedient and content with what God has called us to do, whether it is going overseas to a country and people who need to hear the gospel, teaching middle school in a local school, being a mother to children at home or being a truck driver delivering supplies.
Each of these is a calling from the Lord and needs to be done with the utmost concern because we are serving God in our calling (see Col. 3:23).
God’s Persistence (11–13)
Isaiah’s ministry would not result in Israel turning from her sins. In contrast, Israel would persist in her sinful ways, bringing God’s judgment. In spite of all of this however, God would preserve for Himself a remnant, a small group of people who would listen to the words of God through His prophet.
Isaiah’s ministry shows us that we cannot judge the success of our ministry by the result; instead, the success is in our obedience to our calling. I have seen Christians defeated because their ministry did not meet with the success they hoped for, but we need to keep our eyes on God not on our circumstances.
By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
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