“In the year that ….” That phrase opens up the distinguished and familiar Chapter 6 of Isaiah. “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple ….”
Isaiah saw the LORD, and heard the Seraphim calling to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.” [vs3]
King Uzziah was one of the good kings of Judah. He became king at the age of 16 and reigned for 52 years. He was an innovative and intelligent king and under him the nation prospered. He made a personal mistake in his later years when he tried to usurp duties that belonged only to priests (and died a leper), still he is regarded as a good and godly king.
As I read that opening verse, I wondered what there was about the death of King Uzziah that led to the vision of the LORD. Did Isaiah note that simply to record the date? Or was there something else that caused him to note that his marvelous vision that also signaled his commission to “go” was in the year King Uzziah died?
While the date is recorded as 736BC, King Uzziah death brought an end to the prosperity and wellbeing that the nation had enjoyed under him. Uncertainty and threats filled the horizon creating anxiety among the people. The Assyrians were becoming powerful creating fearful times.
Perhaps it was the weight of what Isaiah saw happening to his nation that drove him to the temple where he was confronted by God and commissioned to “Go!”.
Perhaps it will be the weight of what we see happening in our nation that will drive us to the temple where we will be confronted by God and commissioned to “Go!”?
