Sermon for Sexagesima

We would assume that Isaiah is sent to proclaim this revelation of God, his glory to the people, so they would hear and turn back to God. It’s actually the opposite. Isaiah is called to tell the people, Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not to perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes – lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return and be healed! God wants Isaiah to preach so that the people will reject him, reject the word of God, and be destroyed by their own rejection of this word.