Before leaving this powerful prophecy of Isaiah, I would like to pause to consider, not necessarily the message, but about Isaiah, the human being, a person like you and me?

In chapter 6 he appears.  He does not say much about himself but what he says is truly revealing. I would like to consider, with you, what must have been stirring in his soul.

I think I am correct in noting that the death of King Uzziah hit him hard.  This king, enthroned when he was but 16 years of age, was diligent in his effort to defend Judah against its enemies. He reigned for an astounding 52 years.  In 2 Kings 15:3 we read, he “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” That was until he reigned quite long and had increased in power. We find him doing what only priests were permitted to do, by the command of God. He burned incense at the altar of incense in the temple.  As a consequence of that act the earth shook and the disobedient king became leprous and eventually died in isolation, according to the Jewish historian, Josephus.

All in all, it was the fall of a mighty man of God in whom many put their trust. He did not simply die but turned his back on the clear commands of God and so suffered the consequences. It reminds us of the nation of Judah.

It was then that prophet Isaiah entered the story. He was obviously devastated.  God then blessed him with a moving vision of reality,set in the heavenlies but touching the earth as well. The Lord was on the throne in the vision. The setting was in the Temple, surrounded by worshiping creatures who sang that song of old, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.  The whole earth is full of his glory.”

In a moment Isaiah was not only an observer but a participant in the holy moment. He wrote, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  While feeling the humbling need to be cleansed, he was cleansed and then he heard a voice, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Isaiah, deeply moved, laid his life before God, (and that made all the difference) saying, “Here am I. Send me!”  God replied, “Go and tell this people.”  In a moment Isaiah was swept up into the purposes of God. As we read his writings we feel this holy movement of God.

So this morning I read and was blessed by the Prophet Isaiah.  I hardly know of Uzziah at all.  So God reigns.  May I keep my eye on what has eternal consequences.