It is through prophecy that we can learn a great deal about the nature and character of God. In many ways, Isaiah 6 is an overview of the work that God was going to bring about through Messiah.

Verse 1: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, exalted and lifted up, and the hem of His robe filled the temple.”

King Uzziah: See 2 Chronicles 26. King Uzziah became proud and rebellious. Even though he was not a Levite and was not authorised to burn incense to the Lord on the altar of incense he went ahead and burnt it anyway. Because he was king, he thought he could do whatever he wanted to do. He did not recognize the authority of God and nor did he submit to His instruction. As a result, he was struck with leprosy – bringing physical uncleaness and spiritual impurity into his life. This leprosy side-lined him, to the degree that he was even unable to rule his kingdom, his son ruling in his stead. Leprosy was a badge of shame and dishonour. It was when Uzziah died that a change happened in the kingdom – Isaiah received his call to be a prophet.

I saw: Isaiah saw.

Lord: Master.

Exalted and lifted up: This speaks about the glory and superiority of God. He transcends all things. He is over all things – not only on Earth but also in the heavens.

Temple: This is a word that more specifically relates to the sanctuary (the Holy of holies). Oftentimes prophetically when we deal with the Kingdom of God the emphasis is not on the temple in a general sense but on the Holy of holies. The throne of God is related to that
most holy place. The Holy of holies is an image of the holiest place within creation.

Verse 2: “Above it stood seraphim. Each one of them had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet and with two he flew.”

Above it: Above the throne in this Holy place.

Seraphim: This is a word which means ‘to burn up’. The tradition in Judaism is that these beings that paid glory to God would burn up as they praised.

As a result, more would be created, so that these beings are being constantly created. From the rabbi’s standpoint they see this as a picture of God’s creation being temporal and the the purpose of His creation is to exalt, glorify and praise Him.

Six wings: Six is a number related to grace. Forgiveness only comes about through God’s grace.

Covered his face: They cover their faces so as not to look upon God.

Covered its feet: This shows modesty.

Verse 3: “And each one called to the other, and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole Earth is full of His glory.’”

Holy, holy, holy: The fact that ‘holy’ is repeated three times has caused some to interpret this as a revelation of God as three-in-One (Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three persons, but One God. Each One is God, but there is only One God and not three).

The whole Earth is full of His glory: For the earth to be full of God’s glory would be amazing, but in our natural, unholy, states we cannot yet glorify Him to the full extent. This is something yet future.

Verse 4: “And the pillars of the threshold were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.”

The pillars of the threshold were shaken: It was the voice of the one who called out that caused these pillars of the Heavenly temple (Psalm 11:4, Hebrews 8:5, 11, Revelation 11:19) to shake.

House: Referring to the temple.

Smoke: Used frequently (especially in the book of Revelation) in regard to God’s judgment. God’s glory is manifested through this smoke. In the last days this smoke is going to manifest God’s righteous judgment.