Isaiah Called By God

“In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of His robe filled the Temple…Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Lord, I’ll go! Send me.’ “ (Isaiah 6:1, 8, NLT).

The name Isaiah means “Yahweh saves.” This prophet was active in Judah from his call about 740 B. C. for almost 40 years until 701 B. C. The son of Amoz, he was born in or near Jerusalem about 760 B. C., so he was a young man of 20 when he saw the vision in the Temple and responded to God’s call to go as His messenger.

Isaiah’s call came in the year King Uzziah died. This good king, the best and most effective to rule in Judah since David and Solomon, instituted many reforms, defeated the Philistines, long-time enemies, set up secure posts along the great Via Maris, or caravan route along the Mediterranean coast, and was seen as one who “did right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 15:3). Therefore, when King Uzziah died, another leader was needed to encourage the nation. Isaiah’s call and his answer to it happened at a pivotal point in Judah’s history. Isaiah responded and delivered God’s message, although he was told from the outset of his call that the people would be hard-hearted and slow to respond. Nevertheless, Isaiah was faithful.

The time was right. Judah needed someone to bear God’s message. When Isaiah realized he was in the presence of Holy God, he cried out: “Woe is me!” (Isa. 6:5) Confession of sin and an humble spirit are prelude to hearing a word from God or a call from God. Soul- and life-cleansing occurred. Symbolically, a seraph brought a live coal from the altar in the Temple and purified Isaiah’s lips. When his sin had been atoned for, he was then ready to offer himself in service, and that he did willingly. “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah’s call was to bear God’s message. Each Christian has a call to share with others God’s word of salvation. It may not be as a preacher or even a teacher, but what hinders each from witnessing? Maybe, unlike Isaiah, we do not get beyond the “Woe is me!” stage to accept and act upon our call. Think what a task to which Isaiah was called: He gave a message of both hope and judgment of Judah. But beyond that, he prophesied and described the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s call was dramatic. From his calling when the glory of God filled the Temple, Isaiah went forth boldly and obediently bearing the Lord’s message. Like Isaiah of long ago, we need to listen and respond today. Our times are in need of another like Isaiah. “Who will go?”

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, August 22, 2010