Isaiah 6:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

Isaiah’s Commission from the Lord

⁸ And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

This passage is often used and seem rather familiar to many but do we see the sequence of events? Isaiah is in the place to serve. He will serve where he is placed by earlier events. Then Isaiah acknowledges his unworthiness and those around him. Then an angel comes and places hot coals upon his lips making him worthy of service.

Here is Isaiah commission as he responds to his call to service. Then he is given the words to be delivered. Now comes the part that most of us overlook. He asked the Lord how long he is to serve in this capacity.

¹¹ Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”
And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste,
¹² and the Lord removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.

Most of us would be looking for an answer that deals with time. We want some answer that we can add to our calendar. While we try and deal with the answer in terms of length of service we might overlook the important words.

“The Lord removes.”

Isaiah is just a herald, the real work is done by the Lord. So often we see ourselves as the janitor cleaning up the mess and removing the impediments.

That isn’t what Isaiah is commission to do, he is called to declare the Word of the Lord.

We are all called into service. Not all of us are commissioned. The basic principle applies to us all. Placement, preparation, instruction, and service are there for all of us. Do we understand our role? Do we know what the Lord is doing?

Or do we look for new orders because of self-interest?

Psalm 5:12 English Standard Version (ESV) For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

When I was young in the Lord I sat in the front row of the church and hung on every word being said. I was enthusiastic to receive God’s Word.

One day a teacher was given the opportunity to take a turn preaching. He looked at me and asked, “What is the definition of grace?” From the depths of my heart I answered “God’s great love for me played out in my life.” He said, “No. Joe, what is the definition of grace.” Joe answered “Unmerited favor.” The teacher had a lesson plan and my answer didn’t fit his plan, so I was dismissed curtly.

Could that teacher have said something a little more gracious than NO? I was wounded in that moment. Was I that wrong?

Study Vines Expository Dictionary on grace and you will not find the words “unmerited favor”. What is found in part are these words “in another objective sense, the effect of “grace,” the spiritual state of those who have experienced its exercise”. It is as much an experience as it is an intention.

Along with those studies about “unmerited favor” are tendencies to focus on the issues of election, to be chosen. While those teaching have their place in context they should not be used to imply that God loves us more than He loves the lost. God’s love does not show favoritism.

John 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Whoever is inclusive of all mankind in the exercise of their free will. We are free to accept the gracious offer or to reject the offer. God’s love does not cause the lost to reject the offer.