Isaiah 6; 9

There is a lot going on in these two chapters. First, in the year that King Uzziah of Judah died, Isaiah encounters the Lord. In this divine encounter, Isaiah sees the Lord’s glory and is called to be his mouthpiece to Israel. With this, the Lord calls Isaiah to preach a message that will harden the hearts of its hearers until the land is left desolate. Then Isaiah is given a vision of restoration that comes in the form of one who will sit on David’s throne forever and judge righteously. That vision was for a future yet, but in the meantime, Israel’s heart is hardened and the Lord disciplines them for their sin and rebellion, particularly the elders and false prophets.

Psalm 24:1 tells us that the earth belongs to the Lord and all that is in it. So, it is no wonder that his glory fills the whole earth. But, what we see in Isaiah are two ways of responding to that glory. First we can be like Israel. They were set apart, but chose to rebel and turn away from the Lord and his glory, instead choosing to worship man-made idols. Or, we can be like Isaiah. He was undone and immediately made aware of his sinfulness. At this recognition, the Lord cleansed and called him, to which he responded. That is how we ought to respond when God calls us to himself.

Have you responded to the Lord’s call?