“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.” (Isaiah 6:8, KJV)
The holiness of God precedes the call
Isaiah’s call begins with a vision of the Lord “high and lifted up.” God reveals Himself in holiness before He issues a commission. This order is deliberate. No one can rightly serve God without first seeing Him as He is. When Isaiah encounters God’s holiness, he immediately recognizes his own sinfulness. This is always the correct response to the presence of a holy God.
God does not call people who believe themselves to be righteous. He calls those who understand their need for mercy. True calling is rooted in reverence, not ambition.
Cleansing comes before commissioning
Before Isaiah is sent, he is cleansed. The coal from the altar touches his lips, and his iniquity is taken away. This teaches a foundational truth: God never sends a man in his sin. He sends forgiven men and women who have been purified by His grace.
This cleansing points forward to the work of Christ. Today, believers are cleansed not by a coal from an altar, but by the blood of Jesus. Only after forgiveness can a person stand ready to be used by God.
God’s question reveals His purpose
God asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” This is not a question of ability or numbers. God is sovereign and needs no help to accomplish His will. The question is an invitation to obedience.
God’s work on the earth has always been carried out through willing servants. From the prophets to the apostles, and now to the church, God calls people to speak His truth in a rebellious world.
Isaiah’s response defines true obedience
Isaiah answers, “Here am I; send me.” He does not negotiate. He does not ask for details. He offers himself completely. This response shows full surrender to God’s authority.
Biblical obedience is not selective. It does not depend on comfort, safety, or approval. Isaiah’s willingness reveals a heart aligned with God’s will. Availability, not talent, is the first requirement of service.
The cost of answering the call
Isaiah was sent to a people who would largely refuse to hear. His ministry would be marked by rejection. Yet God still sent him. This reveals that success in God’s kingdom is measured by faithfulness, not results.
In every generation, those who answer God’s call must be prepared to stand alone, speak truth, and endure resistance. This is especially true in the last days, when truth is often rejected and compromise is praised.
The call still stands today
Isaiah 6:8 is not limited to the past. God still calls His people to go, to speak, and to stand. The world remains lost, and judgment approaches. The need for faithful witnesses has never been greater.
The question remains unchanged: “Who will go for us?” God is still seeking hearts willing to answer without reservation.
Conclusion
The call of Isaiah reveals the pattern of true service to God: revelation, repentance, cleansing, calling, and obedience. God does not ask for excuses or conditions. He asks for surrender.
May every believer be ready to answer as Isaiah did, with a heart fully yielded to the Lord: “Here am I; send me.”