1 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.
2 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.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.
4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 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.
6 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:
7 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.
8 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.
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 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.
11 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,
12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and [there be] a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
13 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.
Context and Background
Isaiah 6 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Isaiah, marking a significant moment in the prophet’s life and ministry. This chapter is often referred to as Isaiah’s call and commissioning. It occurs in the year of King Uzziah’s death, a time of political uncertainty and spiritual decline in Judah.
Key Themes
- Divine Encounter: The chapter begins with Isaiah’s vision of God, emphasizing the holiness and majesty of the Lord.
- Human Sinfulness: Isaiah’s reaction to God’s holiness reveals the theme of human unworthiness and sin.
- Divine Purification: The seraphim’s act of cleansing Isaiah symbolizes God’s grace and the process of purification.
- Commissioning of the Prophet: Isaiah’s call to ministry highlights the importance of divine calling and obedience.
- Judgment and Hope: The dual message of judgment against Israel and the promise of a remnant is evident.
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
- Verse 1: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”
This verse sets the historical context and introduces the vision of God. The death of King Uzziah symbolizes a time of transition and uncertainty, while the vision of God on His throne emphasizes His sovereignty and majesty.
- Verses 2-3: “Above it stood the seraphim: 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 seraphim’s description highlights the holiness of God. Their cry of “Holy, holy, holy” underscores the importance of God’s holiness in the biblical narrative.
- Verse 4: “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”
This verse illustrates the power and presence of God, as even the physical structure of the temple responds to His holiness.
- Verse 5: “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’s response to the vision reveals his awareness of sin and unworthiness, emphasizing the theme of human fallibility in the presence of divine holiness.
- Verses 6-7: “Then flew one of the seraphim 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 act of purification signifies God’s grace and the transformative power of His forgiveness. The coal symbolizes the cleansing process necessary for Isaiah’s commissioning.
- Verse 8: “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.”
Isaiah’s willingness to respond to God’s call demonstrates the importance of readiness and obedience in the life of a prophet.
- Verses 9-10: “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.”
These verses present a challenging message of judgment. Isaiah is tasked with delivering a message that will further harden the hearts of the people, highlighting God’s sovereignty in judgment.
- Verses 11-13: “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.”
Isaiah’s question reflects a desire to understand the duration of judgment. God’s response indicates a severe and prolonged period of desolation for Israel.
- Verse 13: “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.”
This verse offers a glimmer of hope, indicating that a remnant will survive. The metaphor of the tree signifies resilience and the promise of restoration.
Theological Implications
Isaiah 6 serves as a profound theological reflection on the nature of God, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of divine calling. It emphasizes the themes of holiness, judgment, and grace, and sets the stage for Isaiah’s prophetic ministry. The chapter illustrates the transformative power of encountering God and the importance of responding to His call with obedience and readiness.
Conclusion
Isaiah 6 is a foundational chapter that not only recounts the call of the prophet but also encapsulates essential themes of the entire book. It serves as a reminder of God’s holiness, the weight of sin, and the hope found in His redemptive purposes.
