Isaiah Beholding God, Part 1

Isaiah was born during a time when the nation of Israel was in apostasy and rebellion against God. The northern kingdom was soon to be scattered and destroyed. The success and wealth of some had led to greed and the oppression of justice. There was no compassion toward widows, the poor, and the fatherless.

In the southern kingdom, Uzziah had been a very successful king, but his pride led him to presume he could enter the temple of God and offer incense. After the death of Uzziah, Isaiah went through a deep and transforming experience. While serving as a priest in the temple, he writes: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). He saw angels who cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory” (v. 3).

It was as if the holy of holies had been thrown open before the humble priest and the glories of heaven were displayed before him. The glorious scene caused the whole temple to tremble. “The posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke” (v. 4).

Isaiah was so moved by the revelation that he exclaimed, “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” (v. 5). His admission revealed a knowledge of both the state of affairs in Israel and an understanding of his own heart.

But to this priest, bowed in humility of heart, came heaven’s response. “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. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged’” (vv. 6, 7).

Isaiah’s name means “the Lord has saved.” All who, like Isaiah, respond to a true revelation of God by recognizing their own sinful condition, will experience a conversion of heart and a cleansing from sin.

Reflect: When have you last sensed the awesome presence of God? Take time today to prayerfully seek the Lord with a humble heart, just like Isaiah.

Key Bible Texts

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 6:5 KJV)