Song of Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

wings they covered their faces, with two others they covered their feet, and with two they flew. In a mighty, echoing chorus they sang, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with His glory!’ ”
    Isaiah pronounced each word with such reverence and wonder that the room seemed to resonate with the majesty of Yahweh’s holiness. Hezekiah held his breath, waiting for Isaiah to continue.
    “At the sound of the seraphim’s voices, the doorposts and the thresholds of the Temple shook to their foundations, and the entire sanctuary filled with smoke. I saw the Lord,” Isaiah repeated in awe, “and in the light of His presence I saw myself for the first time. I saw my sin and my unrighteousness, and I cried out, ‘Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!”’
    Isaiah lowered his head in shame as if seeing himself once again in the light of God’s holiness. Hezekiah waited, transfixed, until the prophet finally looked up at him.
    “God’s judgment on King Uzziah wasn’t harsh,” Isaiah said. “If anything, it was merciful. Uzziah had dared to approach the holy God in His dwelling place, even though no mortal man, not even a king, is worthy to stand before the Lord Almighty. And now that I stood before God, I knew that I was condemned to die, too. But then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with the coal, saying, ‘See—this coal has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sins are all forgiven.’ ”
    Isaiah paused again, as if overwhelmed by the memory. “I certainly didn’t deserve such forgiveness. I deserved God’s judgment just like Uzziah—not mercy and pardon for my sins. Above all else, God is holy and just. But I saw that for those who repent, He bestows grace and mercy beyond measure. Then I heard the Lord say, ‘ Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’
    “At that moment, God gave me back my life, King Hezekiah—just as He gave back yours in the Valley of Hinnom. And so I said, ‘Send me.’ Then Yahweh said, ‘Go and tell this people: “Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.” Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.’ ”
    Hezekiah already knew some of the abuse Isaiah had suffered in his work for God, including physical threats and exile by King Ahaz. Yet Isaiah was willing to continue his thankless job, even if it meant turning down political power. Hezekiah knew that men like Isaiah were exceedingly rare.
    “When will your work for Yahweh be finished?” he asked.
    Isaiah gave another fleeting smile and shook his head. “I asked, ‘For how long, O Lord?’ and He answered, ‘Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.’ ”
    The prophet’s words alarmed Hezekiah. He wanted to know if this part of the vision would be fulfilled within his lifetime, during his reign, but he was afraid to ask. Perhaps it was better not to know.
    “Yet a remnant will survive,” Isaiah added, as if reading his thoughts. “And though the nation will be invaded again and again, it will be like a tree cut down. Israel will be like a stump that still lives to grow again.”
    The promise of a surviving remnant should have comforted Hezekiah, but it didn’t. “Rabbi, I think I understand why you can’t serve in an official capacity,” he finally said, “but may I still come to you for advice?”
    Isaiah spread his hands. “My own advice will be of little use to you, I’m afraid. But I