Isaiah 6:1-8Holy, Holy, Holy

Call to WorshipPraise the Lord.

Let all who draw breath praise the Lord.Happy are those whose help is from God—

the One who made heaven and earth,the One who created the seas and all that is in them.

Happy are those whose hope is in God—the One who keeps faith forever,the One who feeds the hungry

and defends the oppressed.God will reign forever, for all generations.

Praise the Lord!Let all who draw breath praise the Lord.

Isaiah 6:1-8

The book of Isaiah is generally acknowledged to be the greatest of the prophetic books of the Old

Testament. The prophecy of Isaiah is quoted directly or indirectly more times in New Testament than any

other Old Testament book.

Isaiah 6:1-8

It is viewed by many to be a “miniature Bible” with its sixty-six chapters which contain a view of God and the coming Messiah that is unmatched anywhere else in

Scripture.

Isaiah 6:1-8

The author of the book of Isaiah is “…Isaiah the son of Amoz” (Isaiah 1:1). Isaiah is thought to have been born around 762-760 B.C. and to have started his

ministry around 742-740 B.C., the final year of King Uzziah’s reign.

Isaiah 6:1-8

The opening verses of Isaiah tells of the long duration of Isaiah’s ministry through the reigns of Jotham,

Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.

Isaiah 6:1-8

Surprisingly few details are recorded about the personal life of the prophet Isaiah. His father’s name

was “Amoz” (Isaiah 1:1).

Isaiah 6:1-8

Tradition suggests that Isaiah’s father was a brother of King Amaziah of Judah. If true, this would have made Isaiah a cousin of King Uzziah and would have made him a relative of King Uzziah’s successors, Jotham,

Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Isaiah 6:1-8

One of the most memorable facts about Isaiah was that Almighty God laid His hand upon him and Isaiah

was humbled by the majesty and holiness of God. Isaiah knew God for who He is!

Isaiah 6:1-8

One cannot read the book of Isaiah without realizing the importance of the concept of holiness.

Isaiah 6:1-8

There are several Hebrew words in the “holy” word family, all of them taken from the basic Hebrew root word qdsh. The basic meaning of the Hebrew word

contains the idea of “being set apart,” not in just any sense but in relation to Jehovah God.

Isaiah 6:1-8

Holiness is the very essence of the Divine nature; the great God is glorious in holiness. As God’s power is the

opposite of human weakness, so His holiness is the opposite of man’s sinfulness.

Isaiah 6:1-8

Exodus 15:11 (HCSB) Lord, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing

wonders?

Isaiah 6:1-8

“Holiness is the sum total of God’s character or attributes. It is not an attribute, or even the chief

attribute; but it is the attributes. All of the characteristics or descriptions of God are aspects of

His holiness” (Stephen W. Carlson).

Isaiah 6:1-8

Isaiah emphasizes that Jehovah God is holy; and His holiness places demands of trust and obedience upon

His people, who must be holy also (Leviticus 20:7).

Isaiah 6:1-8

1 Peter 1:15-16 (HCSB) …but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy,

because I am holy.

Isaiah 6:1-8

The only reason Christians live holy is because of our relationship to Holy God. While believers understand that in this life we can never be sinless (Romans 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8) as God is, His holiness is still our goal.

Isaiah 6:1-8

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB) For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so

that we should walk in them.

Isaiah 6:1

Some scholars believe that Isaiah was a member of the royal family; therefore, he had access to the royal family that recognized he was a true prophet of God

and some of the kings called upon him in time of trouble.

Isaiah 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his

robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1

The occasion of Isaiah’s vision was when “king Uzziah died.” King Uzziah reigned from about 792 to 740 B.C.

His 52 year reign is one of the longest recorded in the Bible (2 Chronicles 26:3).

Isaiah 6:1

Isaiah met God while worshiping in the temple. He saw that God is so majestic that the hem of His robe

(or “train”) filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1

The Bible tells us in several passages that no man has seen God and lived (Exodus 33:20; 1 Timothy 6:16;

John 1:18). How did Isaiah survive?

Isaiah 6:1

Man cannot see God as He truly is, but God did reveal Himself to His chosen servants, in such a way that

they knew that God did appear to them. Such was the case with Abraham (Genesis 18:3), Jacob (Genesis

32:24-30), and Moses (Exodus 3:4). In Isaiah’s case, God adapted Himself to a form that Isaiah was able to

see and live.

Isaiah 6:1

Isaiah saw the Lord Jesus. John 12:39-41 (HCSB)

This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: He has blinded their eyes and

hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and be

converted, and I would heal them. Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him.

Isaiah 6:1

For Isaiah this was a time of national crisis. With king Uzziah’s death the nation of Judah was in trouble.

King Uzziah’s 52 year reign had been a good reign for the most part but at the close of his rein King.

Isaiah 6:1

Uzziah had allowed his heart to be lifted up and he entered into some sacred areas reserved only for

God’s priest (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). As a result of his sin King Uzziah was stricken with leprosy and died.

Isaiah 6:1

This was also a time of personal crisis for Isaiah. Isaiah was burdened and overwhelmed with the pressures

of the day (Isaiah 1:5-7).

Isaiah 6:1Isaiah 1:5-7 (HCSB)

Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick.

From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured— wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged,

or soothed with oil. Your land is desolate, your cities burned with fire; before your

very eyes foreigners devour your fields— a desolation overthrown by foreigners.

Isaiah 6:2

Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with

two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.

Isaiah 6:2

He had no doubt come to Solomon’s “temple” to pray when God gave him this life changing vision.

God in His sovereignty and wisdom emptied an earthly throne so Isaiah could see His eternal throne.

He still does that today!

Isaiah 6:2

In his vision of the throne room of God, which far exceeded the dimensions of the temple (which the

hem of His robe filled), Isaiah saw angelic beings who continuously served God.

Isaiah 6:2

God’s praise comes from these “seraphims.” Isaiah 6 is the only place seraphims” are mentioned in the

Bible. A “seraphim” is a “fiery angel.” Each “seraphim” had “six wings,” a “face” and “feet” and was able to

“fly.”

Isaiah 6:2

Two of their wings covered their faces, because even though they were holy angels they were unworthy to

look upon God face to face.

Isaiah 6:2

Perhaps they covered their feet because they knew they were unworthy to serve God. Yet they flew

always to signify that they were always and immediately obey and serve God.

Isaiah 6:3

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 6:3

These holy angels called out to one another in the hearing of Isaiah the ultimate moral and spiritual fact

about God: God is holy.

Isaiah 6:3

They also declared the ultimate authority of God: God is the LORD of hosts (a number of beings too large for

us to count or understand).

Isaiah 6:3

The whole earth reveals the glory of God, because God created the whole earth. As we have studied, those

with spiritual discernment see the work of our Creator and learn some truths about God when they look at His

creation.

Isaiah 6:3

The manifestation of Isaiah’s vision defies any human description. Isaiah “saw also the Lord sitting upon a

throne, high and lifted up.” “High and lifted up” speaks of God’s power and position elevated above that of

earthly power and position.

Isaiah 6:3

He is above all that is earthly, human, and creaturely (Colossians 1:16-18).

Isaiah 6:3Colossians 1:16-18 (HCSB)

…because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for

Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the

firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.

Isaiah 6:3

The confession of the “seraphim” came as they “cried one unto another.” “Cried” means “called out, recited, utter with a loud sound.” Their thrice repeated “Holy,

holy, holy” suggests the divine perfection which separated God from creation. It also expresses the

triune nature of God.

Isaiah 6:3

This particular part of Isaiah’s vision so touched the prophet that it became the main expression Isaiah

used when referencing God. Isaiah used the expression “the Holy One of Israel” 27 times in his

prophecy.

Isaiah 6:3

The closest believers can come to this type of confession here on earth is to meditate on God’s self-existence, self-

sufficiency, eternality, omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, immutability, sovereignty,

incomprehensibility, righteousness, justice, faithfulness, truth, love, mercy, graciousness, longsuffering and

patience.

Isaiah 6:3

The prophet Malachi wrote, “Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD

hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD,

and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16).

Isaiah 6:4

The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke.

Isaiah 6:4

Perhaps no other building in Jerusalem rivaled the size, construction, and importance of the temple

(though King Solomon’s palace may have come close). Still, when the angels declared the holy character and majesty of God, their powerful voices shook the very

temple in which Isaiah worshiped.

Isaiah 6:4

In his vision, smoke filled the temple. “Smoke” is sometimes associated with the presence of God

Isaiah 6:4

Exodus 19:18 (HCSB) Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke

because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole

mountain shook violently.

Isaiah 6:4

The rising “smoke” may represent that sacred silence in which our worship should begin and end. Isaiah is

describing the presence of God covering every corner of the temple.

Isaiah 6:5

And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah realized how horrible his sins were and the sins of God’s people in this context of God’s holiness, power, and absolute authority as King of kings.

Isaiah 6:5

Remember that even God’s highest and holiest angels know they are not worthy enough to serve God apart

from God’s love and grace.

Isaiah 6:5

When man comes face to face with God through God’s revelation of Himself he must respond in some manner. Some men respond in fear. Others submit.

Some run away never to be in God’s presence again.

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah shows the proper response to God’s presence. “Woe is me” means Isaiah acknowledges that he has

no right to be in God’s holy presence and live. “Undone” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to

be lost, to perish, or to be annihilated.” It also carries the meaning of “speechless or silent.”

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah senses himself to be “incomplete.” It is the same with all men who are without Christ. No man

can stand in the presence of a holy God without becoming profoundly aware of his sinful condition.

Isaiah 6:5

His speech and that of the “people” among whom Isaiah dwells is “unclean.” “Unclean” is just that,

“unclean.” Confession of sin is not easy; it involves a tremendous sense of God’s holiness and purity and

our unworthiness.

Isaiah 6:5

“For mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” are humbling words coming from a humbled prophet. It is only when man sees God that he really

sees himself.

Isaiah 6:6

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of

tongs

Isaiah 6:6

God sent an angel to cleanse the lips of Isaiah, using a coal from God’s holy altar. The “coal” that was used in

Isaiah’s cleansing was “live.”

Isaiah 6:6

Isaiah speaks of no physical pain but did experience a moral and spiritual cleansing and renewal. God

cleansed Isaiah’s lips, and Isaiah would use his lips in the service of God.

Isaiah 6:6

We want a relationship with God today that requires no pain, no self-examination, no brokenness, no

repentance, and no offense.

Isaiah 6:7

The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed

and your sin is blotted out.”

Isaiah 6:7

With Isaiah’s guilt removed and his sins blotted out so no one would ever see again or remember those behaviors of Isaiah that demonstrated any past

rebellion against God the Lord, Isaiah could now hear the words of God and reply to the words of God with

all feelings of guilt and shame removed.

Isaiah 6:7

His sinful past would no longer make him unworthy to serve God, for God had made him worthy by His

cleansing.

Isaiah 6:7

There is no question in Isaiah’s mind where his “cleansing” came from. It came from outside himself.

God and God alone had cleansed Isaiah. Our “cleansing” also comes from an outside source. It also

comes from the place of sacrifice. For us, our “cleansing” comes from the cross of Calvary and the

blood of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 6:8

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!”

Isaiah 6:8

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord…” is a reminder that only the man whose sins have been forgiven is worthy and able to “hear the voice of the Lord” and

obey Him.

Isaiah 6:8

Before Isaiah even knew the tasks that God wanted him to perform, he told God that He could send him,

that he was willing to do whatever God wanted done.

Isaiah 6:8

In this sense, Isaiah became as the holy angels that worshiped God day and night: he was ready to do

immediately whatever God asked of Him and he was eager to tell others the truth about the true God, the

LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 6:8

Navy Captains often, especially in times of war, are required to sail with “sealed orders.” They do not

know when they leave port their destination nor do they have an explanation of where they are going and

what they are to do. Nevertheless, they sail on with an allegiance to obey whatever is required.

Blessing

May you set the Lord continually before you;because He is at your right hand, you will not be

shaken.Therefore may your heart be glad

and may your glory rejoice;may your flesh also dwell securely.

Psalm 16:8-9 (NASB)