August 12 - I See the Lord

August 12 - Isaiah 6:1-13 - I See the Lord

This is probably one of my very favorite Old Testament passages. Not only do we get to see Isaiah's commissioning, but we are given a glimpse into the throneroom of God!

Isaiah identifies the time period for us. History records Uzziah's death in 739/740 bc.

Isaiah was given a vision in which he sees the throneroom. The Lord is seated and the glory of the Lord fills this throneroom. The train of his robe is so grand that the entire temple is filled with it. There were angels - seraphs with six wings flying above the Lord singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Revelation 4:8 shows us the four living creatures, each with six wings, singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord god Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

Both Elijah and John were seeing the same event occurring, can you imagine the glory that we have ahead of us?

At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. This smoke is more than likely the incense of worship. The entire temple was filled with angels, seraphs, elders and creatures standing before the throne in worship.

Then, Isaiah realized where he was and exactly who he was. He was a man of unclean lips and lives among people of unclean lips. How can he stand before the King, the Lord Almighty? Then, one of the seraphs took a coal from the altar and touched his mouth with healing. His sin was atoned for.

How could Isaiah respond with anything other than "Here I am. Send me" to the query from the Lord after having received such a blessing. His guilt was removed. The Lord had prepared him to be a prophet to the people of Israel. He would have to help them face some of their darkest days, but he would be bringing news of a future glory that they would barely be able to understand. He would bring them news of a Savior.