Vision of God
Isaiah 6:1–8
I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Isaiah 6:1

The vision contains four elements. The first element is that of sovereignty, embodied in the picture of “the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.” It is a dramatization of the fact that he and he alone is in control of things and is always in control of them.

The second thing that Isaiah saw was God’s train (or robe), and he noticed that it filled the entire temple. This suggests that there is room for no one else at the highest pinnacle of the universe. It is not just that Jehovah reigns, therefore, but also that no one else reigns beside him or in opposition to him.

The third element in Isaiah’s vision was a sight of those angelic beings that wait on God to do his bidding. He says each had six wings: “with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew” (v. 2). In saying that they covered their face, he is saying that they were reverent, for they did not consider themselves worthy even to gaze upon God. In saying that they covered their feet, he speaks of self-effacement. “Seraphim” probably means “the burning ones,” so they are glorious also, as is God. Yet they did not want any eyes to settle on them, but on God only. Finally, he speaks of the wings that they used to fly. This speaks of service, for they used these to do God’s bidding.

Then here is a picture of what is required to serve God: humility, selfeffacement, and readiness to respond. And here is a reminder of the resources that are available to God in accomplishing his purposes and protecting those whom he has promised to protect. All the glory and power that surrounds the court of our Lord is also available for the defense of those who are his servants.

The fourth thing that Isaiah noticed was the worship given to God by these hosts of heaven. “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” (v. 3). Worship means to acknowledge God’s worth, that is, to take up his attributes and to remember them before him one by one. The attribute of God that most impressed these angelic beings was holiness.

Actually, Isaiah had three visions. The first was a vision of God. The second was a vision of himself, for having seen God in his holiness, he recognized afresh that he was a sinner. Finally, there was a vision of service. This came about when Isaiah confessed his sin, was cleansed of his sin by God, heard God’s voice saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” and then responded, “Here am I! Send me” (v. 8). So should it be for us.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.