I wish to begin our message by sharing something about the time in which Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived. The Nazi regime ascended to power on January 30, 1933. “Two days after Hitler was installed as Chancellor, Bonhoeffer delivered a radio address in which he attacked Hitler and warned Germany against slipping into an idolatrous cult of the Führer . . . In April, Bonhoeffer raised the first voice for church resistance to Hitler’s persecution of the Jews . . . Hitler [soon thereafter] unconstitutionally imposed new church elections in July 1933. Bonhoeffer put all his efforts into the election, campaigning for the selection of independent, non-Nazi officials, [but] despite Bonhoeffer’s efforts, in the rigged July election, an overwhelming majority of key church positions went to Nazi-supported German[s].”(1)
Bonhoeffer continued to resist the Nazi regime from 1933 onward. “In September of 1940, the Gestapo forbade Bonhoeffer from public speaking and publishing . . . In 1943, Bonhoeffer was arrested and remained in several different prisons for nearly two years. In February of 1945, he was moved to a concentration camp in Buchenwald. On April 9, 1945, he was sentenced to be executed. As he was led out to the gallows, Bonhoeffer spoke, [saying], ‘This is the end. For me, the beginning of life’.”(2) His very last statement struck a chord with the words of the apostle Paul who, amidst persecution, declared, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). So, how did Bonhoeffer have such an unshakable resolve to fight for truth and liberty? Well, it had something to do with His faith in Jesus Christ and His faith in who was really on the throne.
When King Uzziah Died (Isaiah 6:1-8)
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.” 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
The sixth chapter of Isaiah begins with the statement, “In the year that King Uzziah died” (v. 1). The first question we want to ask is “who was King Uzziah?” “Uzziah reigned as king over Judah from 792 to 740 B.C. – a long reign of 52 years. It was second only to the reign of Judah’s King Manesseh, which lasted 55 years . . . [He] was considered a great king in Judah. R. C. Sproul says of Uzziah’s reign that he was among the top five kings of Judah. Uzziah was his throne name; it means ‘the Lord is strong.’ His birth name, however, was Azariah, which is the name used for him in 2 Kings 14 and 15. Azariah means ‘the Lord helps.’ Both of these names are appropriate for Uzziah.”(3)
In 2 Chronicles 26:2-15, we are provided “a substantial list of achievements that made King Uzziah great. The first is listed in verse 2. We read there that Uzziah rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah’s father died. Elath was an important seaport in Edom, and it gave access to trade with the east. It had been used by Solomon, but had been lost during the reign of Jehoram over 100 years earlier. And so, Uzziah’s restoration of Elath as a seaport was very good for Judah’s economy.”(4)
“In verses 6 through 8, we see more international achievements of Uzziah. He took on several long-term enemies of Judah – the Philistines, the Arabs, the Meunites – and he defeated them all. In doing so, he also gained the fear and tribute, and perhaps, the vassalage of the Ammonites; and as a result, we read in verse 8 that Uzziah’s fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very strong.”(5)
“In verses 9 and 10, the chronicler continues to boast about Uzziah’s domestic achievements. He built towers in Jerusalem at several of the gates entering the city. He built towers in the wilderness, in the foothills, and coastal plains around Jerusalem. He also constructed many cisterns for water retention for the large herds of livestock that he owned. The towers Uzziah built in Jerusalem, and all around Judah, provided fortification and protection for royal workers, as well as storage. We read that he employed farmers and vinedressers in the hills and the fertile lands, for we’re told he loved the soil.”(6)
“Finally, in verses 11 to 15, the chronicler draws attention to Uzziah’s military buildup. He had a well-trained army that was highly ordered with capable leaders. This was no simple militia. It was a large army of 307,500 who could make war with mighty power. Add to that, Uzziah made very significant provisions for his army. In biblical times it was typical for soldiers to provide their own weapons; [but] not Uzziah’s army. The writer mentions that Uzziah made shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows and stones for slinging for every soldier.”(7)
We read that Uzziah also “made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones” (2 Chronicles 26:15). The English Standard Version says he made “engines invented by skillful men to be used on the towers to shoot arrows and great stones. This was a very modern and enviable army that would put fear into Judah’s enemies.”(8) And last of all, we read in verse 15 that Uzziah’s fame spread far and wide.
I must also point out that under the reign of Uzziah, the prophets were able to preach freely. Those preaching during that time were Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1), Hosea (Hosea 1:1), and Amos (Amos 1:1). Under Uzziah, they were able to preach without fear of persecution, even though their messages foretold the future destruction of the nation. But when Uzziah died, they had no idea what the next king would do.(9) We read of Uzziah’s grandson Ahaz that he “did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 28:1). He served Baal and committed numerous other atrocities (2 Chronicles 28:1-4).
Baptist commentator Page Kelley says, “It is significant that Isaiah’s call to the prophetic ministry is dated in the year that King Uzziah died . . . Isaiah was born and grew to manhood during the years of his reign. He had, in fact, never known another king . . . [Uzziah’s] reign brought peace and prosperity such as the nation had not known since the days of Solomon.”(10)
“Since kingship is more or less alien to our experience, it is difficult for us to comprehend the significance of the king in ancient society. He was to the nation what the patriarch was to the clan. His presence inspired the people with a sense of strength and security. But his death filled them with consternation, for they were as sheep without a shepherd. The situation was aggravated by the weakness of his son Jotham and the menacing shadow of Assyria.”(11) “A great king had died and Isaiah feels the void and uncertainty of his generation.”(12)
Allow me to apply this to today. Perhaps in our own lifetime, we have lived under a leader who was similar to King Uzziah. Uzziah rebuilt the seaport of Elath, which gave access to trade with the east. Maybe one of our own leaders has sought to establish trade deals to benefit our nation’s economy. Uzziah took on the Arabs and gained tribute from the Ammonites. Perhaps one of our presidents at some point confronted those in the middle east and enacted sanctions to benefit our economy. Perhaps one of our own leaders has worked to rebuild our infrastructure, such as Uzziah did in Jerusalem and Judah. We learned that Uzziah employed farmers and vinedressers, which means he created jobs; and he also rebuilt the nation’s military. Also, the prophets were able to preach freely; and maybe we have lived under a president who fought for our religious freedom.
If you have ever lived under such a great leader and prosperous period; I want you to think back to how you felt when the leader who came afterwards shared none of those values. It probably left you with no small amount of fear and insecurity. It may have cramped your style and ruined your mojo, as they say. Perhaps it left you making overly cautious decisions that left you unable to move ahead with life or proposer in your business. And when it came to your faith, maybe you were left asking where God was in all of it; why He would allow the nation to fall into such uncertain times. These were the kind of feelings that Isaiah wrestled with when King Uzziah died.
The evangelist Mario Murillo says, “It would be good here to appreciate the vast difference between the despair the prophet [Isaiah] must have felt and the awesome power he was about to know. This will help us in this dark moment of time to have faith even though we can’t imagine our generation being transformed. Isaiah felt lost and alone. The political shield of Uzziah was removed. His prayer didn’t rise, it sank.”(13)
“With divine irony, the thoughts of Isaiah, being thoughts of gloom and helplessness, would collide with the announcement of the seraphs, who suddenly appeared and declared, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory’ (Isaiah 6:3). The doorposts quaked at the sound of those words! As these beings of unspeakable glory hovered overhead, Isaiah was gripped with fear. Then suddenly there was the great God Himself, high and exalted with the train of His glory filling the entire temple.”(14)
You see, “in the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw another King seated upon a throne. Judah’s throne was empty, but heaven’s throne was occupied by the King of Glory. Judah’s kings might come and go in endless procession, but this King would reign forever and ever. He was the King (hammelekh, v. 5), and His throne was exalted above all earthly thrones.”(15) Isaiah’s “beloved king had died, his nation was in peril, and he could do very little about it. The outlook may have been bleak, but the uplook was glorious! God was still on the throne and reigning as the Sovereign of the universe!”(16) Warren Wiersbe reminds us, “When your world tumbles in, it is good to look at things from heaven’s point of view.”(17)
The transition of power can be frightening, especially when in the history of our nation it has sometimes occurred in the midst of presidential assassinations and claims of stolen and fraudulent elections. Isaiah felt this way, but when he saw God on His throne, “at once he no longer feared the times, seasons, or conditions. He only feared the Lord!”(18) He would later write in Isaiah chapter 8, verses 12-14, “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,” concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary.”
“In that pure atmosphere of glory with God in plain sight, Isaiah’s whimper over his own concerns became an explosive cry.”(19) “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). And then, “One of the seraphs moved a coal off the altar and touched the lips of the prophet, purging him from all that was hindering his life . . . God was commissioning Isaiah, and with it came the powerful confidence that God always gives [to His people].”(20)
The prophet who was once afraid to leave the temple found himself eagerly awaiting instructions. God said, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” and Isaiah thundered back, “Here am I! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). That is our confidence, and that is our cry; that in the midst of a wicked people we, like Isaiah, can see the Lord high and exalted, and be sent to our time with life-bearing words.”(21)
Maybe our beloved earthly leader, such as a governor, president, prime minister or king is no longer in office or on the throne. Maybe the future of our country looks uncertain; or perhaps, we have actually entered a period where we have found ourselves living under oppressive leadership or a hostile government. Such dim prospects can leave us paralyzed to our mission as believers. But when we recognize that God is still on the throne, we will find the confidence necessary to carry on with boldness in serving the Lord!
Think back to when the disciples saw their beloved leader crucified on a cross. In John 20:19, we read that after His crucifixion, “the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews.” They were devastated and afraid; but that’s when “Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’.” After seeing Him alive, and after watching Him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:9) to be seated at the right hand of the Father, they gained a newfound confidence. When they realized that Jesus was seated on the throne, they went into the upper room and continued fervently in prayer (Acts 1:14); and with great faith they awaited the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) who would arrive on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) to give them boldness to share their faith with the world.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” With the peace that Jesus imparted, with the confidence of knowing who was on the throne, and with the empowering of the Holy Spirit, they were enabled – or rather, empowered – to do as Jesus commanded them. And just like them, we too have the Holy Spirit who can empower us to boldly share our faith amidst ridicule or persecution; but it begins by recognizing who is on the throne. It’s not some earthly leader we need to be looking to for hope. We need to be looking unto God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Time of Reflection
The one who is on the throne is the one with the true power. In the book of Revelation, we read about Jesus, “His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns . . . and He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:12, 16). Jesus is the one seated on the throne. He is the only one to fear; not some man or earthly ruler. Proverbs says, “By the fear of the LORD one departs from evil” (16:6), and also, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil” (19:23). To the one who fears the Lord, who flees from evil and chooses life; Jesus, in His power, has the authority to forgive their sins and pronounce life – life eternal, that is.
If the fear of the Lord as left you as Isaiah, completely undone with your motives exposed (v. 5), and realizing the need for your iniquity to be taken away and your sins to be purged (vv. 6-7); I want you to know that there is hope. Jesus promises the forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who put their faith and trust in Him. In Romans 10:9-10, we read, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If you desire the salvation from your sins, what you need to do is admit your sins and repent of them, believe in Jesus Christ, and confess Him as Savior and Lord.
NOTES
(1) “Dietrich Bonheoffer,” Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer (Accessed November 5, 2012).
(2) “Bonheoffer, Dietrich,” HyperHistory.net: www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b2bonhoefferd. htm (Accessed November 5, 2012).
(3) Bernie Lawrence, “Uzziah: A Tragic Conclusion to a Promising Life,” July 29, 2018, Christ Covenant: https://christcovenant.org/sermons/uzziah-a-tragic-conclusion-to-a-promising-life/ (Accessed March 1, 2021).
(4) Ibid.
(5) Ibid.
(6) Ibid.
(7) Ibid.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Thankfully, Uzziah’s son Jotham followed in his father’s footsteps, “and he did what was right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 27:2).
(10) Page H. Kelley, “Isaiah,” The Broadman Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), pp. 208-209.
(11) Ibid., p. 209.
(12) Mario Murillo, Reaching Critical Mass (Martinez, California: Freshfire Communications, 2011), p. 25.
(13) Ibid., pp. 25-26.
(14) Ibid., p. 26.
(15) Kelley, p. 209.
(16) Warren Wiersbe, “The Complete Old Testament,” The Wiersbe Bible Commentary (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook), p. 1160.
(17) Ibid., p. 1160.
(18) Murillo, p. 26.
(19) Ibid., p. 26.
(20) Ibid., p. 26.
(21) Ibid., pp. 26-27.
