The commissioning of Isaiah is a pivotal moment in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, marking the divine call and consecration of Isaiah as a prophet to the nation of Israel. This event is primarily recorded in Isaiah 6, a chapter that provides a profound vision of God's holiness and the prophet's subsequent mission.

The Vision of God’s Holiness

Isaiah 6 begins with a majestic vision of the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, with the train of His robe filling the temple. This vision occurs "in the year that King Uzziah died" (Isaiah 6:1), a time of national uncertainty and transition. The seraphim, angelic beings attending to the Lord, proclaim His holiness, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth" (Isaiah 6:3). This thrice-repeated declaration of holiness underscores the absolute purity and otherness of God, setting the stage for Isaiah's response.

Isaiah’s Response and Cleansing

Confronted with the overwhelming holiness of God, Isaiah becomes acutely aware of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. He cries out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). This confession of sin is met with divine grace, as one of the seraphim flies to Isaiah with a live coal taken from the altar. Touching Isaiah's mouth with the coal, the seraph declares, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is atoned for" (Isaiah 6:7). This act symbolizes the purification and readiness of Isaiah for the prophetic task ahead.

The Divine Commission

Following his cleansing, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?" (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah responds with willingness and obedience, saying, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). This response marks Isaiah's acceptance of his prophetic mission, characterized by a readiness to serve and proclaim God's message to Israel.

The Message and Its Reception

God commissions Isaiah with a challenging message, one that will harden the hearts of the people rather than bring immediate repentance. The Lord instructs Isaiah, "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes" (Isaiah 6:9-10). This message highlights the spiritual obstinacy of the nation and serves as a judicial act of God in response to their persistent rebellion.

Isaiah inquires about the duration of this hardening, to which the Lord replies, "Until the cities lie in ruins without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged" (Isaiah 6:11). Despite the grim outlook, a glimmer of hope remains, as the Lord speaks of a remnant: "But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land" (Isaiah 6:13). This promise of a remnant points to God's enduring faithfulness and the eventual restoration of His people.

Theological Significance

The commissioning of Isaiah is rich in theological significance, emphasizing themes of God's holiness, human sinfulness, divine grace, and the sovereignty of God in judgment and salvation. Isaiah's encounter with God serves as a paradigm for prophetic ministry, illustrating the necessity of divine cleansing and the call to faithfully proclaim God's word, regardless of the immediate response. This event foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through the coming of the Messiah, who would embody the holiness and grace revealed in Isaiah's vision.