Profile of the Prophet Isaiah
“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 my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5
In Isaiah 6, the prophet records his calling to be God’s representative and spokesman, describing the experience in detail. It took place in the year that King Uzziah died. He was in the temple where he saw a vision of the LORD. Every detail of the vision exhibited His transcendent greatness and glory: the train of His robe filled the temple; He was accompanied by holy angels, six-winged seraphim; when He spoke His voice shook the posts of the temple door and filled the building with smoke.
Seeing this vision of unveiled divine glory and hearing God’s voice, the prophet was terrified. Like others in the Bible who were granted a personal manifestation of God, Isaiah felt that he might not survive the experience. Being in the presence of God and His holy angels brought the prophet to a keen awareness of his uncleanness and the uncleanness of his people.
This sinful unworthiness Isaiah confessed freely. He humbled himself before the LORD. How could he, a poor miserable sinner, serve as the LORD’s spokesman and convey His message to a sinful nation?
The LORD answered Isaiah with the assurance of the forgiveness of his sins, offered in a most dramatic way. One of the seraphim flew to him with a live coal he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched the prophet’s lips and declared, “Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is purged.” (Isaiah 6:6, 7) Thus assured, the prophet answered the divine call.
Father, grant us the grace of Your Holy Spirit to confess our sins every day and to believe that the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ cleanses us of all our sins. With this assurance send us out to live as salt and light to the world. Amen.