Questions God Asked Men: Whom Shall I Send?

Day by day, the nation of Israel was straying from its proper place. Slowly, it would become more apparent - this is not the kingdom of priests nor the holy nation they were called to be (Ex 19:5-6). Slowly, sin and deceitfulness were seeping into the hearts of a people whose whole heart was to be devoted to their God (Deut 6:5). Slowly, a sickness so profound that it possessed no remedy (2 Chron 36:15-16) was overtaking God’s people. It was in these days that God would be heard by His servant, Isaiah, asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

In times of spiritual depravity, God sought someone who would bear up the cause of heaven and give themselves in service to the King. Who will be the herald? Who will challenge the wicked? Who will preach to the people as they cast life to the side? Isaiah said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Send me to the kings who have cast aside the Holy Word. Send me to the temple, wherein the priests offer worship in pretense and serve idols behind closed doors. Send me to the homes of the calloused hearts who have plugged their ears so that they do not hear. Send me to carry out your work.

There are manifold applications for this. We could apply it to evangelism - who is going to carry the goodnews of Jesus from person to person, regardless of their response? We could apply it to preaching - who is going to stand and proclaim the Word of God, the whole counsel, and refuse to scratch itching ears? We could apply it to leadership - who is going to stand boldly as an elder and lead in pathways of righteousness, keeping the flock fed and obedient? We can even apply it to comforting one another - who is going to look outside of themselves and tend to the needs of their kinsmen?

Who is it that is going to “go for us” - go for God, work for God? The work of God, in many cases, is thankless, tiring, unappreciated, unwelcomed, and self-emptying. God is looking for people who will bear up His cause regardless of what it does to their comfort in this present life. Are you the type to go? Are you the type to serve? Are you the type to, without hesitation, say, “Here am I! Send me.”?