The King is dead, long live the King
“The king is dead, long live the king” is a traditional proclamation made following the ascension of a monarch in various countries. The seemingly contradictory phrase simultaneously announces the death of the previous monarch and assures the public of continuity by saluting the new monarch. It speaks to the transition from the old to the new administration. Such transitions by their very nature are times of tension and concern. Israel split at such a juncture when Solomon had died and Rehoboam had ascended the throne. Those who feared the old king but did not dare rise up my find their courage as the new monarch ascends. The new monarch not as experienced as the old may be perceived to be at their weakest and other nations may take the opportunity to attack in line with their own agendas. Indeed even those in the administration especially close allies of the former administration may fear for their own jobs and perhaps their own lives.
It is in this context that Isaiah starts off Isaiah 6. With the human worries when Uzziah had died that their enemies round about may make a move. Especially Assyria which was active in its empire building movement. Concerns that a king who had started such brilliant career doing what was good ended his life in such a bad way rebelling against God for which he was punished with Leprosy. In the midst of all these concerns he is given a vision on heaven, he is given the reassurance that though earthly kings may fall and change we have a heavenly King who is eternal and ever about the concerns of the kingdom. Yes due to mans choices we may have an earthly crisis of leadership but never a heavenly. Moreso this heavenly administration confirms Isaiah employment as specially sent by the eternal King.
Who is he says he that he should even speak in such a heavenly assembly, if the likes of Uzziah can fall from such dizzying heights what of lesser state men like him and he cries out “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Not only is he unclean himself, but even the very people are unclean and his eyes have seen the eternal King surely he will die.
His confession however is the key to his heaven sent salvation. His humility acknowledged by an action of the heavenly court which in turn ‘cleanses’ him with a coal to the lips which proceeds to confirm his office. That which Isaiah could not do Heaven does taking care of his uncleanness, providing assurance and coopting him into this work.
Many may have lost faith in leadership, at times those who seemed so faithful like Uzziah where perhaps revealed to be among the worst. If those who are close to God can fall like this what more some of us ‘mere mortal’. Isaiah reminds us that our gaze should not be on earthly courts but heavenly. It reminds us that in sending Christ Heaven has dealt with the issue of uncleanness. It reminds us we can humble ourselves and accept this gift without anxiety because others failed to. It also reminds us that the Heavenly plan for salvation rolls on and that we have a part to play in it. Let us therefore let go of anxiety especially when things change. They may change down here but Gods plan have ever been our salvation, that has not changed. Be ye saved.
