What is the significance of Isaiah's vision in chapter 6?

Isaiah's vision in chapter 6 is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the Old Testament. This chapter not only marks the formal commissioning of Isaiah as a prophet but also provides deep insights into the nature of God, the condition of humanity, and the mission of the prophet. The significance of Isaiah's vision is multifaceted, touching on themes of divine holiness, human sinfulness, and the call to prophetic ministry.

Isaiah 6 opens with a vivid description of the prophet's vision: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple" (Isaiah 6:1, ESV). This vision occurs in a time of national uncertainty and transition, as the death of King Uzziah marks the end of a long and relatively prosperous reign. The timing underscores the theme of divine sovereignty amidst human instability.

The vision begins with Isaiah seeing the Lord enthroned in the temple, a scene that immediately emphasizes God's transcendence and glory. The Lord is described as "high and lifted up," and the train of His robe fills the temple, signifying His majesty and omnipresence. The seraphim, angelic beings, are in attendance, calling out to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3, ESV). The thrice-repeated "holy" underscores the absolute purity and otherness of God, a concept that is central to the biblical understanding of divine holiness.

The holiness of God is a key theme in this vision. Holiness, in the biblical sense, denotes not only moral purity but also separateness and uniqueness. God is wholly other, distinct from His creation, and His holiness is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The seraphim cover their faces and feet with their wings, indicating their reverence and humility before the holy God. The temple shakes, and it is filled with smoke, further emphasizing the overwhelming presence of the divine.

Isaiah's reaction to this vision is one of utter despair: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5, ESV). Confronted with the holiness of God, Isaiah becomes acutely aware of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. This acknowledgment of sin is crucial for understanding the human condition in relation to a holy God. Isaiah's cry of "Woe is me!" reflects the appropriate response of a sinful human in the presence of divine holiness—a recognition of unworthiness and a plea for mercy.

The vision then transitions to an act of divine grace and purification. One of the seraphim flies to Isaiah with a burning coal taken from the altar and touches his mouth, saying, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for" (Isaiah 6:7, ESV). This symbolic act of purification highlights the transformative power of God's grace. The burning coal represents the purifying and atoning work of God, which cleanses Isaiah from his sin and prepares him for his prophetic mission. It is significant that the coal comes from the altar, indicating that atonement and purification are rooted in sacrificial worship, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Having been cleansed and forgiven, Isaiah then hears the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV). Isaiah responds with a willing heart, saying, "Here I am! Send me." This moment marks Isaiah's commissioning as a prophet. His response is significant because it demonstrates a readiness to serve God despite the awareness of his own inadequacy. Isaiah's willingness to be sent reflects the proper response to God's call—a response of obedience and submission to God's will.

The message that Isaiah is commissioned to deliver, however, is one of judgment and hardening: "Go, and say to this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed" (Isaiah 6:9-10, ESV). This difficult message indicates that Isaiah's prophetic ministry will be met with resistance and rejection. The people's hearts will be hardened, and they will not respond to the call to repentance.

This theme of hardening is complex and often troubling. It reflects the reality that persistent sin and rebellion can lead to a state of spiritual insensitivity and judgment. Yet, it also underscores the sovereignty of God in His dealings with humanity. God's judgment is not arbitrary but is a response to the people's persistent disobedience. The hardening of hearts serves as a form of judgment, but it also leaves open the possibility of future repentance and restoration, as indicated by the remnant theology that runs throughout Isaiah's prophecies.

Isaiah's vision concludes with a note of hope. When Isaiah asks how long this judgment will last, the Lord replies until the cities lie waste and the land is desolate, but He adds, "And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled. The holy seed is its stump" (Isaiah 6:13, ESV). This imagery of the stump and the holy seed points to the promise of a remnant—a faithful group that will survive the judgment and through whom God will continue His redemptive work. This remnant theme is crucial in Isaiah's prophecies, pointing ultimately to the coming of the Messiah, who will bring salvation and restoration.

In summary, Isaiah's vision in chapter 6 is significant for several reasons. It reveals the overwhelming holiness of God and the corresponding sinfulness of humanity. It highlights the necessity of divine grace and atonement for purification and commissioning. It underscores the difficult nature of the prophetic mission, which involves delivering a message of judgment to a resistant people. Yet, it also offers hope through the promise of a remnant and the future fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes. This vision sets the stage for Isaiah's entire prophetic ministry and provides a theological framework that resonates throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative.