Isaiah 6
Isaiah 6 introduces Isaiah's vision of God’s glory and his call to be a prophet. He sees the Lord in His majesty, surrounded by seraphim, and responds with a sense of his own unworthiness. After his sin is cleansed, he accepts the mission to proclaim God's message, though it will largely fall on deaf ears. The chapter highlights both the holiness of God and the hardening of the people’s hearts in judgment.
Isaiah 6:1 (NKJV)
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.
Isaiah experiences a profound vision in the year King Uzziah died, marking a significant moment in Israel's history. The vision reveals the Lord exalted and seated on a throne, symbolizing His sovereign rule. The majestic train of His robe filling the temple emphasizes God’s overwhelming glory and holiness. This is Isaiah’s introduction to the holiness and majesty of God, preparing him for his prophetic commission.
Isaiah 6:2 (NKJV)
2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
The seraphim, angelic beings, are depicted with six wings, signifying both reverence and readiness to serve. Covering their faces and feet reflects humility before the holiness of God, while flying indicates their swift obedience to His commands. The presence of the seraphim adds to the awe and sacredness of the vision.
Isaiah 6:3 (NKJV)
3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"
The seraphim declare God’s holiness three times, emphasizing His absolute purity and separateness from sin. The repetition underscores the completeness of His holiness. They proclaim that the entire earth is filled with God's glory, revealing that His majesty extends far beyond the temple, encompassing all creation.
Isaiah 6:4 (NKJV)
4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
The powerful voices of the seraphim cause the temple's foundations to tremble, demonstrating the immense power of God's presence. The smoke filling the temple is reminiscent of God’s presence in the tabernacle and temple, symbolizing His glory and mystery. Isaiah witnesses the overwhelming power and majesty of God.
Isaiah 6:5 (NKJV)
5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because 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."
Confronted with God’s holiness, Isaiah becomes acutely aware of his sinfulness. His declaration of being "undone" shows his fear and sense of unworthiness in the presence of the holy God. Isaiah not only confesses his own impurity but also identifies with the sinful nature of his people. Seeing the Lord exposes Isaiah’s need for cleansing.
Isaiah 6:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.
7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."
The seraphim takes a live coal from the altar, symbolizing purification. By touching Isaiah’s lips, the very part of him that represents his prophetic calling, his sins are cleansed. This act of grace prepares Isaiah to speak God’s word. His iniquity is removed, and he is now fit to serve as God’s messenger.
Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV)
8 Also 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."
God speaks, seeking someone willing to carry His message. Isaiah, having been cleansed, eagerly volunteers, saying, "Here am I! Send me." His willingness reflects his new sense of purpose after his purification. Isaiah’s response shows a readiness to serve God despite the challenging task ahead.
Isaiah 6:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'
10 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 commissions Isaiah to proclaim a message to a people who will not respond. Their spiritual blindness and deafness will only increase as they continue to reject God’s word. The message will harden their hearts further, preventing them from repentance and healing. This passage illustrates the judgment that comes upon a people who continually resist God’s truth.
Isaiah 6:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate,
12 The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land."
Isaiah asks how long this judgment will last, and God replies that it will continue until the land is devastated and the people are exiled. The cities will be desolate, and the inhabitants scattered, a sign of God’s judgment on the nation for their persistent rebellion. This emphasizes the seriousness of the people's rejection of God’s message.
Isaiah 6:13 (NKJV)
13 But yet a tenth will be in it, And will return and be for consuming, As a terebinth tree or as an oak, Whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump."
Even though destruction will come, God promises that a remnant will survive. The image of a tree cut down, leaving a stump, signifies that from this remnant, new life will eventually spring forth. The "holy seed" refers to this faithful remnant who will return and restore Israel after the judgment. God’s mercy ensures hope amid judgment.