6 February 2022

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’’

From Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8, NRSV

The prophet Isaiah recalls the vision in which he was first called to his vocation. He describes the awe-inspiring vision of the “Lord of Hosts” seated on a throne and with the train of his robe filling the sanctuary of the Temple. This figure was surrounded by six-winged seraphs singing praise. As if that was not enough of a spectacle, the whole place then shook and filled with smoke. It is little wonder that in the face of such splendour, Isaiah could only think of his own unworthiness and in particular of his “unclean lips”.  In response, one of the seraphs took a live coal from a fire and came and touched Isaiah’s lips with it telling him that his sin was now removed. When the Lord subsequently asked Isaiah the question “Whom shall I send?”, he was able to answer “Here am I; send me.” As we know, some of the most beautiful and poetic words recorded in the Scriptures are attributed to Isaiah.

• • How do you think we are to interpret the effect and significance of Isaiah’s lips being touched with a burning coal?
  • What does it mean to have “clean” lips and who needs to have these?

Give thanks for the witness of Isaiah and the other prophets. You may like to find a favourite passage from Isaiah to read and reflect on.