A Coal From the Altar
See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.
The story begins this way; “It was the year King Uzziah died…” To a young prophet in the kings court this must have been a disappointment. Uzziah’s reign was the most prosperous of any of the kings of Judah except for Jehoshaphat and Solomon. It lasted for 52 years. He was faithful to God and “did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord.” And yet, Uzziah attempted to usurp the privilege of the priesthood by burning incense in the Temple. The High Priest Azariah confronted him at the altar of incense and disallowed his service. At that same moment, an earthquake split the wall of the Temple, allowing the sun’s rays to shine on Uzziah’s face. It had suddenly turned leprous!
But this story isn’t about Uzziah, it’s about a young prophet named Isaiah. Sometime after the death of the king, Isaiah had a vision in which he “saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, …They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!’ Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.”
Pause for a moment; what do you think your response would be if you saw something like that? That’s pretty powerful stuff! And make no mistake, describing the awe and majesty of Almighty God always falls short of the real thing. Isaiah experienced it firsthand, and his response reveals the truest reaction anyone could have in such a moment. “Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”
And what happened next? Did lightning come from the throne to snuff him out? No, “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” In God’s presence is provision for redemption, salvation, and healing. He desires mercy, not judgment. “He is not willing that any should perish.”
This coal from the altar in the hands of the angel burned with holy fire and purged away Isaiah’s sin. Free of guilt and shame, he heard a challenging appeal. “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” And how did Isaiah respond? His sincere worship is exemplified by his absolute surrender. He said, “Here I am. Send me.’”
Read: Isaiah 6:1-8, 2 Peter 3:9
Listen: Send Me