vi. 8. _Then said I, Here am I, send me._
This is a chapter of autobiography. Here is disclosed the secret of
the wonderful energy with which for more than half a century Isaiah
prosecuted his ministry. He is the Paul of the Old Testament.
Allowance being made for difference of phraseology, there is a
striking resemblance between the call of Isaiah and of Paul (comp.
chap. vi. with Acts ix.). Both sought to serve the heavenly King; and
both received a commission to work, spiritual and catholic beyond all
conceptions of their time,--the one penning the Gospel of the
suffering Messiah, the other vindicating the truth that the Gospel is
God's message to the _world._ The text reminds us--
+I. Of the Christian's offer of service.+ The offer of service which
the prophet made was--1. _Free._ He spoke spontaneously, and not as
the result of pressure from without.[1] 2. _Truthful._ Unlike one of
the sons in the parable (Matt. xxi. 30), he meant what he said.
3. _Bold._ It was made concerning an unknown mission. The
justification of the boldness of his offer is, that it was made to
God, who always qualifies His servants for the tasks to which He
calls them. 4. _Personal._ The prophet placed at God's disposal, not
some of his property merely, but _himself._ 5. _It involved the most
complete self-surrender._ All thought of self control the prophet
resigned. He placed himself as an instrument in God's hands. He was
ready go to where, when, and on what errand God might determine.[2]
Such are the offers of service in which God delights.
+II. Of the steps that lead up to this offer.+ The offer may take men
by surprise, but there has always been preparation for it, as there
has been long preparation for the lightning that leaps suddenly from
the sky. Such offers as the prophet made are preceded--1. By _a
vision of God,_ of the thrice Holy One, filling the soul with awe,
and causing it to tremble (vers. 1-4). 2. By _self-prostration of
spirit,_ a conviction of utter sinfulness (ver. 5). This is the
invariable result of a true vision of God (Exod. iii. 2; Josh. v. 14;
Judg. vi. 22, xii. 22; Luke v. 8; Rev. i. 17). This is also a prime
condition of fitness for service. 3. By _the touch of a mediator_
(vers. 6, 7). "They that be struck down by visions of God's glory
shall soon be raised up again by visits of His grace." Blessed is the
man who has _both_ visions. A sense of pardon is essential to large
usefulness. Imperfect realisation of forgiveness is one of the most
frequent causes of weakness in Christian service. 4. By _a moral
transformation._ The offerer has become a new man from the centre
outwards. Now he can hear God's voice: "I heard," &c. It is a voice
to which now he feels he _must_ respond: "Here am I," &c. In some
degree every Christian is thus prepared. These essentials of service
are also essentials of Christian life. These experiences are at once
your credentials and your powers.
+III.+ That +God always accepts offers of service for which there has
been this preparation, and that bear these marks.+ He never rejects
true volunteers. Offers hastily made and half-meant He passes by
(Josh. xxiv. 18, 19; John ii. 23-25); but genuine, whole-hearted
offers of service, He invariably accepts.
In conclusion, let us lay up in our memories three facts in
connection with service. 1. _True service is not incompatible with
failure._ We are too apt to connect failure with incompetency in the
servant. Many do fail through incompetency, but not all. The prophet
divinely called and most royally endowed may fail, because of the
moral obduracy and perverseness of those to whom he is sent (vers. 9,
10). 2. _True service is not incompatible with sorrow_ (vers. 11,
12). That man is inhuman who without profound grief can behold the
perversity of sinners, and the calamities with which in consequence
they are visited. 3. _True service will never be left without
reward._ Multitudes may reject the prophet's message, yet there will
be "a tenth" who will accept it and be saved.--_J. R. Wood._