Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Isaiah 6-8
Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
The call and commission of Isaiah to the office of a prophet is given. His call is not unlike that of a pastor, preacher, missionary or evangelist. Consider these similarities.
The eyes see things others do not see. Isaiah saw that king Uzziah died yet the God of the universe ever lives. He saw the Lord upon His throne, high and lifted up with great pomp and circumstance. Earthly leaders are just that, of the earth. But the Lord God is high above them, ever living, ever ruling, ever in control. Those who are called into special ministry see God for who He is in His infinite power, wisdom, and purpose. Comparing Him to earthly kings is no comparison at all.
The ear hears things others can’t or don’t. Isaiah heard the seraphims say of this heavenly King, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3 In the balance of the book, Isaiah will hear things whispered to him from this King of Glory. He will faithfully speak these things though most will not hear. The people to whom Isaiah speaks will hear the voice of a man, yet not believe that his words are God’s Words. His message will be rejected and even hated. But his message is true.
The heart is convicted of sin. 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 6:5 No person is qualified to speak for God that has not first realized their own sinful nature. This is the curb against straying outside of the Lord’s message, substituting it or mixing it with their own. For one who is conscious of their own sin will have no option in speaking but to speak God’s perfect, three times Holy, inerrant Word. How can sinners help other sinners with the speaking of sinful concepts and thoughts? They cannot, but sinners can help others with the righteous Words of God’s loving message to other sinners. Conviction of sin ends not upon the salvation of a soul, in fact, in comparison to the perfectness of the righteous Lord God of Heaven such conviction of sin is continually magnified.
Yet, with the conviction of sin the one who is commissioned to special service for the Lord knows deep inside of their being that their iniquities, their sin have been taken away, purged. With a dramatic scene, Isaiah’s sin was eliminated in his heart and mind. God uniquely used the hot coal touching his lips because that was the primary sin that Isaiah mentioned just two verses earlier. Each person has something that seems to be their besetting sin, God must deal with this in them to the point of their knowing that He has purged that sin from their life. This is a highly personal experience that is unique to the individual. But make no doubt, it is impossible to serve, or speak for God with boldness, assurance, and confidence without God first having a demonstration of His forgiveness and salvation in a clear and unmistakable manner.
Lastly, Isaiah, and all who serve God as a spokesman for Him, saw Christ. Proof? John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Isaiah saw himself in comparison to Christ. It is a good day for anyone when this takes place. Seeing ourselves as God sees us is a humbling thing, a thing not soon forgotten. It is the fuel that ignites service for years on end. For when it comes right down to it all, the servant of God has only One to boast of and trust in: that is the Lord God, He, and He alone.
Dr. William T. Howe
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