Stroll through Scripture for November 17, 2024

Based on Isaiah 6:1-13

Isaiah 6 begins Isaiah’s call as a prophet – it’s his call story.  It will go on through Chapter 8.  This is part of what scholars call First Isaiah.  The book of Isaiah is written over three distinct periods of time.  This section is believed to be written around 740 BCE.  It is written right before the time that Assyria conquers the northern kingdom of Israel.  

The Narrative Lectionary includes only verses 1-8.  I included 9-13, which is the remainder of the chapter because it lays out what God’s message is to the people.  To me, this is a vital part of the story.  While it is important to hear Isaiah’s response to God’s call, it is also important to include what God’s message is.  

The vision presented to Isaiah is like a courtroom or throne room.  God is envisioned as sitting in a seat of authority and judgement.  Humans have envisioned God this way for a long time.  We seem to have difficulty envisioning God outside of our own ideas about power and might as humans practice these things.  Regardless, Isaiah has a vision of God on the heavenly throne with robes that are flowing all over the place.  Isaiah doesn’t see God, but rather, just the robes.  To see God in all of God’s glory would be too much for humans.   

Isaiah’s lips are unclean according to the passage.  But this isn’t so much about Isaiah personally, as it is Isaiah’s common human condition.  His lips are cleansed so that he can do the work of a prophet – his lips are cleansed so that they can speak God’s holy word to people.  Prophets represent God to the people after all.  Priests on the other hand represent the people before God. 

An interesting part of this passage is about the Seraphs.  This is the only place in scripture where they are mentioned.  And they are described as have six wings – two to cover their face, to that cover their feet, and two that they fly with.  There is much commentary on the Seraphs.  The wings covering the face are a sign of reverence towards God.  Even the angels can’t look at God directly.  The two wings covering the feet is really about covering the lower half of the body.  This is a sign of humility, which seems appropriate for servants of God.  And the last two wings are on their backs to allow them to fly, which is about service.  These Seraphs represent what the ideal servants of God embody – reverence, humility, and service.  

And lastly, we have God’s message for the people.  It’s not a hopeful message.  Rather, it is a message that recognizes the people’s refusal to listen.  It is a judgement decree.  And because God has judged against Israel, there will be a consequence for their stubbornness.  In 722 BCE, that judgement would come with Assyria conquering the northern kingdom of Israel.  In 587 BCE, Judah would be conquered by Babylon and the Temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed.  

Questions for Reflection:

• Isaiah’s vision of God is grand and intimidating.  How do you envision God in God’s glory?
• God calls servants to have reverence and humility, and to of service.  How does God call each of us to these things? 
• A common theme throughout so much of Scripture has to do with the people being stubborn.  In what ways are the people stubborn today?  How are the people different?