After pronouncing a series of “woes” on the people of Judah in chapter 5, Isaiah pronounces one on himself in chapter 6. This is no self-righteous preacher, but one who is deeply aware of his own sin and need for cleansing. It was when King Uzziah died, around 740 BC, that Isaiah experienced his profound vision in the heavenly throne room. The death of their successful earthly leader had marked the end of a memorable era for God’s people. Yet their eternal King was very much alive, reigning gloriously above! In fact, the invisible world where God dwells is not far away from the visible world where we live. And He is sovereign over all that happens among us (v 1). Surrounding this King are the “seraphim,” a high order of angelic beings. But even they cover themselves in the presence of His majesty. With humble adoration, they rejoice together in God’s awesome perfections. The three-fold repetition of “holy” indicates that God is not just a bigger version of us; He is in a separate category altogether (40:25). We are weak and sinful created beings, but God is the transcendent Creator and Ruler of all (v 2-3). While Isaiah sees this heavenly vision, the earthly temple in Jerusalem is shaken to its very foundations. But that’s not all that is shaken. Isaiah himself trembles, crying out, “Woe is me!” He realizes that he is not pure like the seraphim; and he admits that he is unfit for the presence of God, just like everyone else in his generation. The prophet may have been more righteous than many, but such comparisons are irrelevant in light of God’s glory (v 4-5). Foreshadowing the cross of Christ, an angel brings a coal from the place of sacrificial atonement, graciously cleansing Isaiah’s mouth and qualifying him to serve as God’s spokesman. Grateful for his pardon, Isaiah eagerly responds to the LORD’s invitation, saying, “Here am I! Send me” (v 6-8). But before he can preach his first sermon, Isaiah is bluntly informed by God that not everyone will want to hear him. There is no prospect of a successful ministry, no hope for a revival. It is too late for that. Isaiah’s preaching will only further harden the hearts of rebels who have already rejected God. Still, he must faithfully preach on until the irrevocable judgment falls (v 9-10). Isaiah wonders how long this judgment will last, and God tells him that desolation and exile are coming. Judah will end up like a tree chopped down, with only a stump remaining. But from that stump will come “the holy seed”—a new era of grace, ultimately through the coming of Christ Himself (v 11-13). For further meditation: