Here Am I, Send Me
Introduction
In our Sunday morning services, I have been dealing with some prayers that were simple prayers. But these prayers were also substantial prayers. These are personal prayers in the Bible that have a tone of urgency to them.
Two weeks ago, we looked at Exodus 33:18 where Moses said, “Shew me thy glory.”
Last week, we looked at Psalm 139 where David said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24).
This morning, we’re looking at Isaiah 6 where Isaiah said in verse 8, “Here am I; send me.”
You’ll notice as the chapter begins, Isaiah said…
(Isaiah 6:1) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Since Isaiah ministered during King Uzziah’s reign (1:1) Isaiah’s vision of God in the year … Uzziah died would have occurred within the 12 calendar months before or after the king’s death in 739 B.C. … This time notation points to a contrast between the human king and the divine King (v. 5) God Himself, and to some contrasts between Uzziah and Isaiah. In Uzziah’s long (52-year), prosperous reign (2 Chronicles 26:1-15) many people were away from the Lord and involved in sin (2 Kings 15:1-4; Uzziah is also called Azariah). By contrast, God is holy (Isaiah 6:3). In pride, Uzziah disobediently entered the temple (insensitive to the sin involved) and was struck with leprosy which made him ceremonially unclean (2 Chronicles 26:16-20). Isaiah, however, was sensitive to sin, for he stated that he and his people were spiritually unclean (Isaiah 6:5). Though Uzziah was excluded from the temple (2 Chronicles 26:21) Isaiah was not. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)
This is a critical chapter in Isaiah’s experience. It is also the commissioning chapter in Isaiah’s experience. And in this chapter…
I. Isaiah Had A Revelation That Is Related To His Prayer
(Isaiah 6:1-4)
A. He Saw Adonai On The Throne
(Isaiah 6:1) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
The word “Lord” in Isaiah 6:1 is not the word “Jehovah” which would suggest the essence of His divinity, but it is the word “Adonai” which suggests the essence of His dominion. The “throne” in verse 1 and the word “King” in verse 5 reinforces this point as does the image of the flowing train, which according to the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, was a badge of dignity in the East.
See God upon his throne, and that throne high and lifted up, not only above other thrones, as it transcends them, but over other thrones, as it rules and commands them. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary)
According to John 12:41, Isaiah saw Christ here!
(John 12:35-41) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. {36} While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. {37} But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: {38} That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? {39} Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, {40} He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. {41} These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
B. He Saw The Attendants In The Temple
(Isaiah 6:2) Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
The “Seraphims” means “burners.” Just as it was said of Zacharias in Luke 1:9 that “According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord;” it seems to have been the role of the Seraphim to burn in God’s presence.
Cf. (Psalm 104:4) Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
The fire of God’s glory ignited these burners and caused them to have…
1. Covered Face with twain he covered his face (Heads Bowed)
2. Covered Feet with twain he covered his feet (Knees Bowed)
3. Covered Flight and with twain he did fly (Hearts Burning)
fly – Hebrew 5774. 'uwph, oof; a prim, root; to cover (with wings or obscurity); hence (from H5775 – a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings) to fly; also (by impl. of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning): --brandish, be (wax) faint, flee away, fly (away--, X set, shine forth, weary.
The Emmaus Road Disciples upon realizing that it was Christ that had walked and talked with them, “said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)
C. He Saw The Adoration Threefold
(Isaiah 6:3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
holy – Hebrew 6918. qadowsh, kaw-doshe'; or qadosh, kaw-doshe'; from H6942; sacred (or clean – ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary: --holy (One), saint. It has the idea of being consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, purified, and sanctified. These Seraphim were basically saying, “Hallowed be thy name!”
1. Holy Father
2. Holy Son
3. Holy Spirit
D. He Saw The Aftereffect Tremendously
(Isaiah 6:4) And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
1. Shaking
moved – Hebrew 5128. nuwa', noo'-ah; a primary root meaning to waver, in a great variety of applications, lit. and fig. (as subjoined): --continually, fugitive, X make to [go] up and down, be gone away, (be) move (-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down).
2. Smoking
smoke – Hebrew 6227. 'ashan, aw-shawn'; from H6225; smoke, lit. or fig. (vapor, dust, anger):--smoke (-ing).
6225. 'ashan, aw-shan'; a prim. root; to smoke, whether lit. or fig.:--be angry (be on a) smoke.
It was right foggy in there.
II. Isaiah Had A Realization That Is Related To His Prayer
(Isaiah 6:5)
A. This Was A Realization Of Sorrow
(Isaiah 6:5) Then said I, 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 mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
woe – Hebrew 188. 'owy, o'ee; probably from H183 (in the sense of crying out after); lamentation; also interj. Oh!:--alas, woe.
This is a word that suggests a brokenness and a bereavement over these death issues.
Isaiah has pronounced six woes in chapter 5…
1. There Is A Woe Of Wanting Wealth
(Isaiah 5:8) Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
In disobedience to the Law (Leviticus 25:23-28; 1 Kings 21:1-3), the rich defrauded the poor and seized the land. These wealthy explorers built large mansions and developed extensive farms. (Warren W. Wiersbe)
2. There Is A Woe Of Wanting Wine
(Isaiah 5:11) Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
3. There Is A Woe Of Wanting Wickedness
(Isaiah 5:18) Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
4. There Is A Woe Of Worldly Perspectives
(Isaiah 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
5. There Is A Woe Of Worldly Pride
(Isaiah 5:21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Pride (Isaiah 5:21). Instead of listening to God, the leaders consulted with one another and made decisions based on their own wisdom. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22; see 1 Corinthians 1:18-25). “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7, NKJV). (Warren W. Wiersbe)
6. There Is A Woe Of Worldly Partying
(Isaiah 5:22) Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Injustice (Isaiah 5:22-25). The judges who were supposed to enforce the law used their authority to free the guilty and punish the innocent. They were more interested in cocktail parties than fair trials, and making money (bribes) than promoting justice. (Warren W. Wiersbe)
Then in chapter 6, Isaiah uses this same word “woe” to refer to himself.
B. This Was A Realization Of Silence
(Isaiah 6:5) Then said I, 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 mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
undone – Hebrew 1820. damah, daw-maw'; a primary root word meaning to be dumb or silent; hence to fail or perish; to destroy: KJV-- cease, be cut down (off), destroy, be brought to silence, be undone, X utterly
He is rendered speechless in God's presence. He could offer no word of protest, no word of pride; the only acceptable word would have been a word of praise and Isaiah felt too unclean to offer so noble a word.
When Isaiah cried out, “I am undone!” it was a cry of pain. It was the revealing cry of conscious uncleanness. He was experiencing the undoneness of the creature set over against the holiness of the Creator. … There ought to be that real and genuine cry of pain. … There should be the terror of seeing ourselves in violent contrast to the holy, holy, holy God. Unless we come into this place of conviction and pain, I am not sure how deep and real our repentance will ever be. (A. W. Tozer)
C. This Was A Realization Of Sin
(Isaiah 6:5) Then said I, 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 mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
unclean – Hebrew 2931. tame', taw-may'; from H2930; foul in a ceremonial or moral or religious sense: KJV-- defiled, + infamous, polluted (-tion), unclean.
D. This Was A Realization Of His Surroundings
(Isaiah 6:5) Then said I, 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 mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
in the midst – Hebrew 8432. tavek, taw'-vek; from an unused root mean. to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by impl.) the centre:--among (-st), X between, half, X (there-, where-) in (-to), middle, mid [-night], midst (among), X out (of), X through, X with (-in).
It’s almost as if Isaiah is identifying himself and the people to be spiritually what Uzziah had become physically (2 Chronicles 26:16-21), a bunch of lepers.
(Leviticus 13:45) And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.
Isaiah found himself right in the middle of all the wickedness that was going on. It seems that in God’s presence there is a clear perception unclouded by pretense, unaffected by our preferences and personalities!
III. Isaiah Had A Restoration That Is Related To His Prayer
(Isaiah 6:6-7)
A. There Is An Agent Of Cleansing
(Isaiah 6:6) Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
a live coal – Hebrew 7531. ritspah; fem. of H7529; a red-hot stone; also a tessellated pavement:--live coal.
Cf. (Malachi 3:1-3)Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. (2) But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (3) And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
B. There Is An Altar Of Consecration
(Isaiah 6:6) Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
[From off the altar] The altar of burnt-offering. This stood in the court of the priests, in front of the temple; (Barnes’ Notes)
C. There Is An Absence Of Corruption
(Isaiah 6:7) And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
taken away – Hebrew 5493 cuwr (soor); or suwr (Hosea 9:12) (soor); a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative): KJV-- be [-head], bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get [you], go (aside), X grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, X be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.
purged – Hebrew 3722. kaphar, kaw-far'; a prim. root; to cover (spec. with bitumen); fig. to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:--appease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, to pitch, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation).
Cf. (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
D. There Is An Awareness Of Correction
(Isaiah 6:7) And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
This word “lo” is the prolonging of a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if: -behold, if, lo, though.
IV. Isaiah Had A Responsibility That Is Related To His Prayer
(Isaiah 6:8-13)
A. Notice Isaiah’s Opportunity For Service
(Isaiah 6:8) Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
1. Who Will Witness For God?
send – Hebrew 7971. shalach, shaw-lakh'; a prim. root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications):-- X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
2. Who Will Walk For God?
go – Hebrew 3212. yalak, yaw-lak'; a prim. root [comp. H1980]; to walk (lit. or fig.); causat. to carry (in various senses):-- X again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, + follow (-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, make) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, + pursue, cause to run, spread, take away ([-journey]), vanish, (cause to) walk (-ing), wax, X be weak.
B. Notice Isaiah’s Offering Of Self
(Isaiah 6:8) Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Seeing the glory of God not only produced a penitence in Isaiah’s heart, but it also produced a passion in his heart.
here – Hebrew 2005. hen, hane; a prim. particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if:--behold, if, lo, though.
C. Notice Isaiah’s Order To Speak
(Isaiah 6:9) And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
tell – Hebrew 559. 'amar, aw-mar'; a prim. root; to say (used with great latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command (ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use [speech], utter, X verily, X yet.
D. Notice Isaiah’s Obstinate Society
(Isaiah 6:9-10) And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. {10} Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
The Lord did not give His servant much encouragement! Isaiah’s ministry would actually make some people’s eyes more blind, their ears more deaf, and their hearts more callused. Verses 9-10 are so important that they are quoted six times in the New Testament (Matthew 13:13-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:25-28; Romans 11:8). God does not deliberately make sinners blind, deaf, and hard-hearted: but the more that people resist God’s truth, the less able they are to receive God’s truth. But the servant is to proclaim the Word no matter how people respond, for the test of ministry is not outward success but faithfulness to the Lord.
God told Isaiah that his ministry would end in seeming failure, with the land ruined and the people taken off to exile (Isaiah 6:11-12). But a remnant would survive! It would be like the stump of a fallen tree from which the shoots (“the holy seed”) would come, and they would continue the true faith in the land. Isaiah needed a long-range perspective on his ministry or else he would feel like he was accomplishing nothing.
“Go and tell” is still God’s command to His people (v. 9; see Matthew 28:7; Mark 5:19). He is waiting for us to reply, “Here am I; send me.” (Warren W. Wiersbe)
The next few verses have an immediate application to Isaiah’s day, but Christ embraces the truth and applies it to the gospel age…
(Matthew 13:10-17) And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? {11} He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. {12} For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. {13} Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. {14} And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: {15} For this people's heart is waxed gross (thick), and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. {16} But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. {17} For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
One of our Baptist forefathers, W.M. Harris, said, “If missions did not pay, if there were no prospects of any heathen ever getting saved, to ‘go’ would still be but to obey the command.”
Conclusion
When Martin Luther was about to begin his reform work, he shared the burden on his heart with a close friend, Myconius. Although interested, he did not go with Luther, promising rather to pray for him.
Myconius did pray for Luther day by day. But as he continued to pray, he felt increasingly uncomfortable.
One night, he dreamed a strange dream. He saw Jesus approach him with outstretched hands and wounded feet. He followed the Saviour, who took him to the top of a lofty mountain. Before him lay a vast plain with thousands of sheep. But there was only one man to shepherd them.
Looking west, Myconius saw fields of standing grain. Only one reaper was trying to harvest the crop. And although the reaper continued, he was tired and worn. Looking again, Myconius saw that it was Luther himself.
“It is not enough,” cried Myconius awaking. “It is not enough that I should pray in my quiet cloister. The sheep must be shepherded! The fields must be reaped! Here am I; send me, send me.
And so he joined Luther.
(From Paul Lee Tan’s Encylopedia of 15,000 Illustrations – #14178)