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Isaiah 6:8
ESV And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
NIV Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'
NASB Then 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!'
CSB Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us?I said: Here I am. Send me.
NLT Then I heard the Lord asking, 'Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?' I said, 'Here I am. Send me.'
KJV Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

What does Isaiah 6:8 mean?

The Lord has led Isaiah through a specific process to prepare him to deliver His message to the people of Judah. First, the Lord showed Himself as the King, continually worshipped by angelic beings declaring His holiness. (Isaiah 6:2–3). Glimpsing the holiness of God brought Isaiah to his knees in a deep understanding of his own sinfulness and that of his people (Isaiah 6:5). Isaiah's confession was followed by the Lord's atonement for his sin when the seraphim placed the coal from the altar on Isaiah's lips (Isaiah 6:6).

Now Isaiah is ready to offer himself in service to the Lord. The prophet comprehends something of God's holiness, his own sinfulness, and the Lord's willingness to atone for his sin. He is willing to represent the Lord to his people, who also need to be cleansed by the Lord and repent of their sins.

At this point, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord. God is asking who He should send. Who is "us" that the Lord is speaking for? The Lord may be referring to the three parts of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, as He was in Genesis 1:26. Or He may be speaking of Himself and the "hosts" of heaven, including the seraphim, who occupy His court (Isaiah 6:2). This may also be what is sometimes called the "royal 'we'" where monarchs and other rulers speak of themselves in plural terms.

Moments earlier, Isaiah might have refused such a mission. He was painfully aware of his unworthiness to speak on God's behalf (Isaiah 6:5). Now, purified by God's grace, Isaiah volunteers for God's mission with confidence. Isaiah is eager both to serve the Lord and to deliver essential truth to his people in Judah.
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