9/7/25 Weekly Bible Lesson: Here I Am!

Isaiah 6:1-8; 38:1-5 ESV 

Background of Text — From the time of King Solomon’s death, there had been animosity and grievances between the tribes. The Israelite nation divided into two, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The prophet Isaiah saw in a vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that their destruction was imminent because of their wickedness. This sinfulness, this showing of ingratitude with which Judah had repaid the fatherly love of God was leading them to destruction. 

Isaiah 6:1 — The vision of Isaiah was about to change his role in redefining the future of the Lord’s people. Isaiah would become the Prophet, the leader that would help curtail the complete destruction of the Israelite nation and allow a remnant to be saved. 

The world we live in is a good comparison to the Israelite kingdoms, but we don’t need a vision and the prophet Isaiah to tell us that we are sinners, and that the world is heading to destruction. We have God’s Word! We can open His Word at any time and find out about His grace, His love, our salvation, peace, encouragement, courage, strength, and guidance for our everyday lives. One other simple, but mighty thought … King Uzziah and other kings died; our King, Jesus Christ lives! 

Isaiah 6:2-7 — These verses have always fascinated me! I have often imagined this scene in my mind. These powerful creatures with their six wings and the majesty of the Lord, sitting on His throne. The seraphim calling to another “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!” What an awesome scene! Verse 5 hits us directly. Isaiah, in his previous writings, had uttered six woes against those sinful, wicked people. Here, the seventh woe is directed against him. “Woe is me! For I am lost.” 

How many times have we said, “woe is me, for I have sinned”? We should thank our Lord and Savior, repeatedly, that even though we have sinned and fallen short of His glory, Christ is the propitiation for our sins! Through Christ, and by His grace, mercy, and love, we are forgiven! Unlike Isaiah, who had a burning coal touch his lips to purge his sins, we have Jesus Christ! 

Discussion question. Do we have the same repentant spirit as Isaiah’s “woe is me” over our sins? 

Isaiah 6:8 — The Lord’s question was simple, “whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah was ready and willing to become the leader, the one that would help stabilize the downfall and redefine the kingdom of Judah. I heard someone say, “When men refuse God’s offered grace, every refusal hardens them even more.” Isaiah had a chance to change the people he dwelled among. 

Do we say, “I want to make a change in the world that I live in, that I dwell among?” Are we to be like Isaiah? Some would answer that question by saying, “I am not a prophet” and they would be right, but God’s Word tells us this: “Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20). You or I might not be a prophet like the prophet Isaiah, but God has asked us a very similar question through His Word, “Who will go for us?” The answer should be, “Send me, Lord!” 

Discussion questions. What opportunities do we have to “Go” for the Lord? What are we doing to prepare ourselves to take the message of salvation from sin to a lost world? 

Isaiah 38:1-5 — Isaiah has been working and preaching through the reigns of the kings of Judah. Beginning with king Uzziah’s death, he tried to reason with Jotham who’s reign was sixteen years, and then Ahaz, whose reign also lasted about sixteen years. Now he was trying to reason with King Hezekiah. In about the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Isaiah the Prophet came to him and told him, “Thus says the Lord: set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” This announcement of Isaiah got his attention, and “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord.” Hezekiah prayed from his heart and “wept bitterly.” Hezekiah’s prayer was heard. 

For we Christians, prayer is our communication between us and our Lord! We have Scripture after Scripture telling us of prayer and the power of prayer! Just a couple are 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 John 5:14-15, but two of my favorites are: Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Then Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Let’s make sure we don’t wait until we get in the shape of Hezekiah before we decide to pray!