Worship Isaiah Style

Click here to read Isaiah 6

Each time I read this passage it makes me think of two of my favorite hymns: "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Here I Am, Lord".  Both hymns are based on this passage.  "Holy, Holy, Holy" invites us to join with the seraphim in singing out to God. "Here I am," is based on Isaiah's response to God's presence. Many of the prophetic books begin with the prophet encountering God in the first chapter. Here we are, already in the 6th chapter and the Word of God has already come to Isaiah on other occasions (see chapter 1-3).  Yet, when Isaiah is in the temple it is more than just a word from God.  Rather, what Isaiah experiences is an encounter with God. God present in a way that causes him to wonder about his calling as a prophet.  Hence the comment about being a man of unclean lips.  This causes one of the seraphim to bring over a hot coal to touch his lips.  To which I say, "Ouch!"  Within the Bible there are two natural elements that have cleansing power: water and fire.  Both are woven throughout the Bible at various times and places.  In Isaiah 6, fire becomes the one to cleanse Isaiah and reassure him that it will be okay.  So, Isaiah says, he will go.  And then he is entrusted with what might be the hardest sermon ever to preach.

Go to the people: they do not listen, they are cognitively challenged with hard as rock hearts.  That ought to win them over!  Isaiah wants some sign of hope too.  He pleads to know how long?  And God says until utter chaos (note the connection to Genesis 1) reigns in their land.  Again, not exactly the easiest sermon to preach or hear.

Part of what I love about Isaiah 6, besides it brutal honesty, is that it is the basis for Protestant worship.  We come in, like the seraphim, and we sing a song of praise.  Usually the first hymn in worship is upbeat and joyful.  After singing that hymn to each other in the presence of God, we, like Isaiah, realize that we have missed the mark in our relationship with God.  While I don't often start the opening prayer with "Woe is me," the sentiment is similar.  We don't always get things right and we need a place to name that honestly.  And even in our brokenness, God still calls out to us and sends us.  We hear God's Word through scripture (and hopefully on some Sundays also through the sermon, offering and closing hymn).  Then, we are sent out like Isaiah into this world where we do find people who will not listen to us, who don't understand us, and don't always love us.

Isaiah 6 not only inspires beautiful hymns for worship, it inspires our worship.  It becomes the routine we repeat Sunday after Sunday.  Like Isaiah in the temple, we need moments when we can sing together, confess together, be reassured together and be sent forth knowing that there is a community waiting for us next Sunday to do it all again.  I encourage you to break out your hymnal this week and sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy" or "Here I am, Lord."  I encourage you to re-read this invitation to worship before you come to church on Sunday.  I pray our worship this coming Sunday invites you into the presence of God!

Blessings and peace!