The Whole Story
Isaiah 6 is a pivotal chapter in the book of
Isaiah, marking the prophet's personal encounter with the holiness of God and
his commission to be a messenger to the people of Israel. This chapter reveals
profound truths about God’s majesty, human sinfulness, and the grace of divine
calling. It is a powerful depiction of God’s glory, His sovereignty over all
creation, and the response He desires from His people.
The chapter begins with Isaiah’s vision of
God in His throne room, “high and exalted,” surrounded by seraphim who worship
Him with reverence, crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole
earth is full of his glory” (v.3). The sheer majesty and holiness of God are
overwhelming, causing the foundations of the temple to shake. The holiness of
God is the central theme of this vision — He is utterly separate from sin, pure
and perfect in every way. The seraphim’s repeated declaration emphasizes the infinite
holiness of God, highlighting His transcendence and worthiness of all worship.
Isaiah’s immediate response to this vision is
one of deep conviction and despair: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of
unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (v.5). Confronted with
the holiness of God, Isaiah becomes acutely aware of his own sinfulness and the
sinfulness of his people. This moment of self-awareness leads to his confession
and a recognition of his need for cleansing and grace.
In response, one of the seraphim takes a live
coal from the altar and touches Isaiah’s lips, declaring, “See, this has
touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (v.7).
This act of purification symbolizes God’s grace, offering forgiveness and
restoration to one who is unworthy.
Finally, after Isaiah is cleansed, God issues
His call: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”. Isaiah responds, “Here
am I. Send me!” (v.8). This marks the moment of Isaiah’s commissioning as a
prophet. Though God’s message to the people will be one of judgment, the
chapter closes with the hope that there will be a remnant, a holy seed that
will remain.
Isaiah 6 reveals both the terrifying holiness
of God and His amazing grace. It shows that when we encounter God’s holiness,
we are confronted with our sin, but also with His offer of forgiveness and
redemption. We encounter this reality in Isaiah, and we will encounter it once
again when we are introduced to Jesus. Jesus is here, even in Isaiah 6.
Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah's Vision of the Lord
6 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. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two
he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And
one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the
whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds
shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And
I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for 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!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a
burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my
mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away,
and your sin atoned for.”
Isaiah's Commission from the Lord
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Isaiah 6:1-8
Discussion Questions:
Isaiah 6:1–4
What stands out to you most about Isaiah’s
vision of the Lord?
How does seeing God as “high and lifted up”
challenge the way we typically think about His presence in our daily lives?
Isaiah 6:5
Why does Isaiah cry out “Woe is me” when he
sees the Lord?
What does this tell us about the connection
between God’s holiness and our awareness of sin?
Isaiah 6:6–7
What is the significance of the coal from the
altar touching Isaiah’s lips?
How does this act point forward to the
cleansing we receive through Jesus?
Isaiah 6:8
Why do you think Isaiah responds so quickly
and boldly to God’s call, even without knowing the details?
What might keep us from having that same
willingness?
END
Teacher's Notes:
Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah's Vision of the Lord
6 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. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two
he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And
one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the
whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds
shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And
I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for 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!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a
burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my
mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away,
and your sin atoned for.”
Isaiah's Commission from the Lord
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Isaiah 6:1-8
