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Today's reading

December 3, 2024

The Call of Isaiah

2 Kings 15:3-4; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Isaiah 6:1-8

The Call of Isaiah
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At the beginning of the 8th century a new king rose to power in Judah. Although only 16 at his coronation, King Uzziah would usher in a golden age. He reigned for 52 years and under his rule Judah enjoyed almost unprecedented safety, prosperity and expansion. He is described as a man who "did what was right in the sight of the Lord" however; two details would create a crisis that sets the sage for the call of Isaiah.

"And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done, except that the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places."

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2 Kings 15:3-4 (NKJV)

As idolatry grew unfettered in dark corners and high places Uzziah's legend grew throughout Judah through his accomplishments. This caused a confidence that morphed into arrogance which led to a devastating decision.

"But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."

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2 Chronicles 26:16 (NIV)

Entering the temple to burn incense insinuated that he viewed himself as a priest. This pride was an affront to the system of worship God had established. After being confronted by a group of priests, instead of repenting he became enraged; that very moment he was struck with leprosy. His life was changed forever, he was moved out of the palace and treated as a dead man from that point on. It is likely that Isaiah was related to Uzziah and as a result he was distraught upon hearing of Uzziah's leprosy. He was also receiving word that a new world power, the Assyrians were on a collision course with Egypt and Judah would likely be collateral damage along the way. What could they do without the great Uzziah to lead them? Isaiah sought to comfort himself in the temple, and when he entered, he met the true King of Israel. 

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said:

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'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts:

The whole earth is full of His glory!'

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And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

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So I said:

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'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.'"

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Isaiah 6:1-5 (NKJV)

After seeing the glory of the Lord of Hosts, Isaiah is consumed with his sinfulness and the depravity of his people. In desperation he mourns this new reality as he stands helpless to remedy it.

"Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

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'Behold, this has touched your lips;

Your iniquity is taken away,

And your sin purged.'

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And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

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'Whom shall I send,

And who will go for Us?'

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Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'"

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Isaiah 6:6-8  (NKJV)

When Uzziah's sin was exposed, his arrogance gave him a sense of entitlement. Even though he was at the height of his powers and Judah had an impending military conflict, God could not allow him to continue to serve him as King. Isaiah was in the throes of grief and yet he realized before God that he had no power to cleanse himself, only God could make him a suitable part of His plan. In every season the only way to pursue God's calling on our lives is by humbling ourselves before the Lord, mourning over sin and receiving the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.

This is the message of Christmas to you.

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