Isaiah's Profound Encounter: A Glimpse into the Divine Throne Room
The sixth chapter of the book of Isaiah presents one of the most awe-inspiring and foundational visions in all of Holy Writ: the prophet Isaiah's encounter with the Lord God in His throne room. This transcendent experience, occurring "in the year that king Uzziah died," marks a pivotal moment in Isaiah's ministry, transforming him from a man of God into a commissioned prophet, purged and empowered for a daunting task. The death of King Uzziah, who had reigned for 52 years and brought much prosperity to Judah, likely signified a period of national uncertainty and spiritual decline. It was precisely in this moment of earthly instability that God revealed His eternal, unchanging sovereignty and holiness to His chosen servant.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isaiah's vision begins with the Lord Himself, seated upon a throne that is described as "high and lifted up." This imagery immediately conveys God's supreme authority, His exalted position above all creation, and His absolute sovereignty over the affairs of men and nations. The sheer magnitude of His glory is further emphasized by the detail that "his train filled the temple." The train of His robe, signifying His majesty and glory, was so vast that it enveloped the entire sanctuary, leaving no space untouched by His divine presence. This was not merely an earthly temple, but a heavenly reality, a glimpse into the very court of the Almighty.
The Majesty of God's Throne and Presence
Surrounding the Lord's throne were celestial beings of profound power and reverence: the seraphims. These unique angelic creatures are described as having six wings. With two, they covered their faces, indicating a profound humility and reverence in the presence of God's unapproachable light and glory. With two, they covered their feet, perhaps signifying their unworthiness or to conceal their own glory before the Creator. And with the remaining two, they did fly, demonstrating their readiness and swiftness to execute the divine will. Their incessant cry reverberated through the heavenly temple, a declaration that forms the very core of this vision:
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
The thrice-repeated "Holy, holy, holy" is a superlative of holiness, emphasizing God's absolute purity, moral perfection, and distinctness from all creation. It is a declaration of His intrinsic nature, setting Him apart as utterly transcendent and untainted by sin. The title "LORD of hosts" (Jehovah Sabaoth) signifies His command over all celestial armies and powers, asserting His omnipotence. The declaration that "the whole earth is full of his glory" speaks to His omnipresence and the manifestation of His divine attributes throughout creation, even if unseen by the spiritually blind. The very foundations of the temple were shaken by the sheer power of their voices, and the house was filled with smoke, a manifestation of the divine presence, awe-inspiring and terrifying.
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isaiah's Conviction and Cleansing
In the face of such overwhelming holiness, Isaiah's immediate response was not one of awe-struck wonder alone, but profound conviction of his own sinfulness and that of his people. He cried out in despair:
Then said I, 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 mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah recognized his utter unworthiness and defilement in the presence of a perfectly holy God. His focus on "unclean lips" is significant, as a prophet's primary tool is his mouth, through which he speaks God's word. He perceived himself and his people as spiritually unfit to communicate with or represent such a holy God. This conviction is a necessary precursor to true service; before one can be used by God, one must first recognize and confess one's sin.
God, in His infinite grace, immediately provided for Isaiah's cleansing. One of the seraphims flew to him, carrying a live coal taken with tongs from off the altar. This altar is often understood to be the altar of burnt offering, symbolizing sacrifice and atonement.
Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
The touch of the live coal upon Isaiah's lips symbolized a divine purging and purification. His "iniquity was taken away" and his "sin purged." This act of cleansing was not self-generated but divinely administered, demonstrating that true spiritual cleansing comes from God alone, often through a painful but necessary process. It made Isaiah fit for the divine encounter and prepared him for the commission that was to follow.
The Divine Commission and Burden
Once cleansed, Isaiah was ready to hear the divine voice and respond. The Lord's query was not directed specifically at Isaiah, but rather a general call, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" This plural "us" hints at the plurality within the Godhead, an early intimation of the Trinity. Isaiah, now purified and emboldened, responded without hesitation:
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
This eager, selfless response is a model for all believers called to serve God. Isaiah's readiness came directly from his experience of God's holiness and grace. He had seen the Lord, been convicted, and then cleansed, making him a willing vessel.
However, the commission given to Isaiah was remarkably difficult and seemingly paradoxical. He was to preach to a people whose hearts God knew would be hardened, their ears dull, and their eyes blinded. The purpose was not for them to understand and repent, but rather as an act of judgment for their persistent rebellion and spiritual apathy.
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Isaiah then asked, "Lord, how long?" The answer was a grim prophecy of desolation: cities wasted, houses without inhabitants, and the land utterly desolate, until the Lord had removed men far away. This pointed to the impending Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, a severe judgment for Judah's spiritual idolatry and disobedience. Yet, amidst this dire prediction, a glimmer of hope was given:
Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
The "holy seed" refers to a remnant, a small portion of the people who would survive the judgment and through whom God's covenant promises would be preserved. This concept of a righteous remnant is crucial throughout Isaiah's prophecy, pointing towards future restoration and ultimately, the coming of the Messiah.
Enduring Truths from Isaiah's Vision
Isaiah's vision of God's throne room in Isaiah 6 yields several timeless truths applicable to every generation of believers:
- God's Incomparable Holiness: The central message is God's absolute, transcendent holiness. He is utterly pure and set apart from all sin. This attribute underpins all His other characteristics and demands our reverence and awe.
- The Necessity of Conviction and Cleansing: No one can stand in God's presence or serve Him effectively without a profound awareness of their own sinfulness and a subsequent divine cleansing. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6); only God can purge sin.
- God's Initiative in Calling: God seeks out and calls His servants. His call is sovereign, and He prepares those He chooses for the tasks ahead.
- The Willingness to Serve: Isaiah's immediate "Here am I; send me" is the proper response to God's call. It speaks of a heart surrendered and ready to obey, regardless of the difficulty of the task.
- God's Sovereignty in Judgment and Redemption: While God's judgment on persistent sin is severe and certain, His purposes always include a plan for preservation and ultimate redemption through a remnant. Even in desolation, hope remains in the "holy seed."
- The Cost of Disobedience: The message Isaiah was to deliver highlights the tragic consequences of spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, leading to national ruin and separation from God's blessings.
Conclusion: A Vision for Today's Believer
The vision in Isaiah 6 is not merely a historical account of a prophet's calling; it is a timeless revelation of God's character and His dealings with humanity. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the majesty and holiness of the God we worship. It calls us to a personal encounter with His glory, which inevitably leads to a deep conviction of sin. Yet, it also assures us of His gracious provision for cleansing, made complete and eternal through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the ultimate "live coal" from the heavenly altar, who purges our sins by His blood.
Once cleansed, we, like Isaiah, are called to hear God's voice and respond with willing hearts, "Here am I; send me." The message we are called to bear might be difficult, and the world's response may be one of spiritual blindness and hardening. Yet, we are to be faithful, knowing that God's purposes, though sometimes mysterious, are always just and ultimately redemptive. As we reflect on Isaiah's vision, may we be filled with awe for our holy God, driven to repentance for our own defilement, and empowered by His grace to serve Him faithfully, trusting in His sovereign plan for all creation.