The Lord Said: "Now You're Listening."

Isaiah 6:4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for 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!”...

8 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.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: 

“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; 
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
    and their ears heavy,
    and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
    and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
    and turn and be healed.”

As noted yesterday, when the Lord speaks in the prophets, it's usually with words of rebuke. Isaiah had been overcome with the holiness of God and the sinfulness of himself and His people. In the skipped verses above, the Lord's angel promised forgiveness before God Himself spoke to Isaiah. Isaiah was now ready to listen and to speak for God. Sadly, most of Isaiah's people would not be ready to listen, repent, and respond in faith and obedience. Are we ready to listen?