Vision & Commission: Seeing The King, Hearing the Call

*Based on Isaiah 6:1–8

When was the last time you were overwhelmed by the holiness of God? When did you last have a moment where His greatness, His purity, His utter otherness left you silent — where you felt small, not because of shame, but because you were standing in the presence of the King of the universe? Many of us, when we catch even a glimpse of God’s holiness, feel inadequate or unqualified to serve Him. We think, “Who am I to speak for God?” We see our own sinfulness more clearly than ever and wonder whether God could really use us. Isaiah knew that feeling.

📖 A Story to Set the Stage

In 1880, General Lew Wallace — who later served as Governor of the New Mexico Territory — published a novel that would go on to become one of the best-selling books of the 19th century: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.Wallace didn’t start out as a believer. After a conversation with a well-known agnostic, he began to study the Gospels to strengthen his argument against faith. But as he researched the life and times of Yeshua, something unexpected happened — he encountered the Messiah for himself. By the time he finished writing Ben-Hur, he had gone from skeptic to believer.Even as governor, Wallace faced defining moments. During the violent Lincoln County War, he offered the outlaw Billy the Kid a pardon in exchange for testimony. Though the deal fell through, it shows Wallace’s belief that redemption — even for the most notorious — was possible.Wallace’s life story reminds us that sometimes we can be moving through life — even doing important things — and still need that transformative encounter with God’s holiness that changes everything.

🕍 Isaiah’s Vision in the Temple

In Isaiah 6, the prophet is given a vision of Adonai seated on His throne, high and lifted up. The train of His robe fills the Temple, and the seraphim cry out:“Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh — Holy, holy, holy is Adonai-Tzva’ot! The whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3 TLV)This may have taken place after Isaiah had already begun his prophetic ministry — meaning he was already serving God, already proclaiming His word, yet still needed a deeper revelation of His holiness.This is good news for us. No matter how long we’ve been walking with God, there is always more of His holiness to see, more of His glory to experience, and more of His cleansing to receive.

🕍 The Hem of His Robe — and Our Shul

The Hebrew word for “the hem of His robe” here is shul. Interestingly, in Yiddish the word shul also means “synagogue.” (While there is no direct etymological connection between the Hebrew word shul and the Yiddish word for synagogue — which comes from the German 'Schule,' meaning school — the similarity creates a beautiful spiritual picture.)Every time we come to shul, we stand — spiritually speaking — at the hem of God’s robe, where His presence fills the house.Isaiah’s encounter reminds us that God doesn’t just want our service; He wants to transform us. When we leave shul, we are meant to go out cleansed, renewed, and commissioned — carrying His presence into the world.

🔥 From Awe to Action

Isaiah’s journey moves step by step:1. Vision of Holiness — He sees God as He truly is.2. Confession — He cries, “Oy to me! I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5 TLV).3. Cleansing — A coal from the altar touches his lips: “Your iniquity is taken away.”4. Commission — He hears God’s call: “Whom shall I send?” and replies, “Hineni — Here am I. Send me.”This same pattern is how God works with us — revealing Himself, cleansing us, and then sending us.

📝 Takeaways

• Seek a Fresh Vision: Set aside time this week to read Isaiah 6, Revelation 4, or Psalm 99 and simply worship.

• Confess Honestly: Let the light of God’s holiness reveal anything that needs cleansing, and surrender it to Him.

• Receive Cleansing: Thank Yeshua for His once-for-all sacrifice. Stop carrying what He has already taken away.

• Say “Hineni”: Ask God where He wants to send you this week — into a conversation, an act of service, a word of encouragement.

• Live Sent: Don’t leave this vision in the sanctuary. Bring it into your home, your workplace, and your city.

🙏 Closing Prayer

Adonai, we stand in awe of You, high and lifted up. Give us a fresh vision of Your holiness that fills our hearts with wonder. Cleanse us by the blood of Yeshua our Messiah and fill us anew with Your Spirit. Remove every trace of shame and replace it with boldness to live as Your witnesses. Like Isaiah, we say, “Hineni — here am I, send me.” Send us to proclaim the Good News of Yeshua and to live as a holy, set-apart people for Your glory. B’shem Yeshua, Amen.