ISAIAH 6

GOD SENDS ISAIAH ON HIS BEHALF 

Isaiah recalls a vision of seeing God on His throne beside an angelic creature. Marveling in God’s majesty, Isaiah became aware of his own impurities, and he despised his unclean lips. The angelic creature took burning coals from God’s altar and touched them to the lips of Isaiah, taking away his guilt and atoning for his sins.

Isaiah hears the Lord asking whom He shall send on His behalf. Isaiah responded, saying “Here I am! Send me.” And God instructed Isaiah to bring a message to the Israelites, telling them that their hearts are hardened, and they will be unreceptive to God’s instruction. God told Isaiah that this would last until the cities are empty and everyone has left.

In Matthew 13, Jesus would reference Isaiah’s message to the Israelites in an explanation of His teaching in parables. Jesus says that the people will hear, but not understand, see, but not perceive, fulfilling the message of Isaiah 6:9-11.

The final verse of this chapter depicts a tree stump, symbolizing the Israelites' downfall, but states that it contains a future seed, a symbol of hope and new life.