In this chapter we first meet Isaiah in the circumstances relating to his call into the service of Jehovah.  The reason why this detail is left to the sixth chapter of the book will, I suppose, always be the cause of some discussion.  There are those who see it as more of a confirmation of a previous call rather than a singular act of God in commissioning his servant.  It is difficult to accept this view,, particularly as this chapter contains the most unique and monumental call issued by God in the whole of history.  It is most likely that the prophet, inspired by the Holy Ghost, set forth his message in the opening chapters and then gave his words authority by relating his call.  This is very typical of Isaiah as he focuses primarily upon the message rather than the man.  There is very little of a biographical nature in his prophecy.

This chapter which details the commissioning or the calling of Isaiah into service has so much to teach us about the preparation of heart, which we must have, if we are to enjoy revival blessedness.

1:         The Period when Isaiah was Called

In the year that king Uzziah died

6:1

Under King Uzziah Judah had reclaimed much of the glory of Solomon and she was at peace with Israel, her sister nation.  The Jewish people had great hopes of a bright future but now the King whom they loved was dead.  The achievements of King Uzziah, however, were somewhat diminished by his leprosy which was a judgement upon his daring attempt to usurp the priests of God.  Therefore in Uzziah we witness this strange union of godliness and backsliding, of victory and failure but through it all God reminded his people that He remained on the throne.  Now this King whose long reign, it is reckoned 52 years, gave Judah stability and prosperity was dead.  A period of transition was befalling the Jewish people.  Internationally things were increasingly uncertain; and Isaiah would live to see the terrible apostasy of Ahaz followed by Hezekiah’s reforming reign. At this point in history God laid his hand upon Isaiah.

Likewise in this period of history, a time of tremendous change which we are only starting to see unfold, is the time that God has laid his hand upon our lives that we might do a work for Him.

2:         The Position of the Lord

I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

6:1

The Lord was upon a throne signifying his sovereignty. According to John 12:41 Isaiah saw Christ, the revelation of the Father, the eternal Word. We can only understand God by seeing Christ.

3:         The Praises of the Seraphim

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said,
Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:
the whole earth is full of his glory.

6:2-3

This is the only occasion in the Old Testament that the word “seraphims” is used in the scripture, it means burning ones. They covered their face indicating that they revered God. They covered their feet indicating that their activities were dedicated to the Lord. They flew constantly because they were devoted to the service of the Lord. Their cry highlighted the 3-fold holiness of the Lord and his glory, which fills the whole earth. These holy creatures have so much to teach us about the spirit required as we enter God’s presence.

4:         The Product of the Vision

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Then said I, 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.

6:4-5

The doors of the temple shook but this was a symbol of the trembling soul of Isaiah. God’s glory forced him to focus upon his own sinfulness first; Hab. 1:12-13. When revival visits the first awareness which grips the people of God is an awful realisation of their own sin.

It was only within the context of realising his own sin, that Isaiah then viewed the sinfulness of the people. To get his process back to front is to become judgemental and pharisaical. An awareness of our own sin keeps us humble and gracious.

5:         The Promise In The Live Coal 

Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

6:6-7

              

The live coal taken from the altar comforted the prophet. This coal was burning because a sacrifice had been offered and presented.  This was the basis of the forgiveness he enjoyed.

A sweet savour always arose from the burning coals after the sacrifice had been offered.  This is indicative of Christ’s intercession.

We can only be prepared for revival under the shadow of the cross, melted into tears by what our Lord did for us. There needs to be an increased dependency upon our Saviour’s intercession and mediation. With Him we can do nothing. Revival is His work, we are so undeserving.

We can serve God because of our Lord’s ministry. This is the true meaning of the burning coal upon the lips. Isaiah would be God’s spokesman. Our words and our ministry must be a product of the cross, moulded by the power of Calvary.

6:         The Plea From The Lord

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

6:8

The prophet was confronted with an appeal from the Godhead to go to Israel with his word. Do we hear Father, Son and Holy Ghost – “Whom shall I send and who shall go for us?”

7:         The Pledge By the Prophet

Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8

With no hesitation the man of God agreed to go with the Word to these people. Submissive servants are the need of the hour.

8:         The Purpose of the Prophet’s Ministry

And he said, Go, and tell this people,
Hear ye indeed, but understand not;
and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Make the heart of this people fat,
and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered,
Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,
and the houses without man,
and the land be utterly desolate,
And the LORD have removed men far away,
and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten:
as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves:
so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

6:9-13

          

The prophet was warned that his words would not be welcomed and would have the effect of hardening the hearts of the people to God and to truth.  He was told that the message he would bring would be full of judgement because one day the land would be wasted. Likewise we are not to be surprised when the message is rejected; is this not the path trod by Christ Himself?

It is also true ,however, that the promises Isaiah presented would resonate with blessing for the returning captives and the New Testament Church which bear fruit into the present. Therefore this chapter concludes with a note of optimism.

In the great revivals that have swept across the world it has been most common for God to raise up men, anointed men with a sense of purpose and calling for their generation. Men of the ilk of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Knox, Tyndale, Cranmer and Latimer were fearless and uncompromising. They were willing to endure hardship and suffering, even to the point of martyrdom because they were convinced that God had called them for this mission – to give the world TRUTH. We should pray for the voice of the prophet, for men who will stir nations and change the course of history; men anointed by the Holy Ghost who will say “Here am I, send me”.

BUT let us also pray that we would all be willing to serve and to sacrifice; to be useful instruments in the place and times to which we are called.