(Isaiah 6:1-6) The Reality of God's Holiness

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The vision of Isaiah transports us into the reality of God’s presence. It reveals a majestic God, full of sovereignty, power, and holiness. It leads us to recognize our depravity and our desperate need for his grace.

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Americans are intrigued by reality TV shows.
Probably the first one I ever really took time to watch was Survivor.
It first aired in the year 2000,
and it was intriguing to watch ordinary people be put on a deserted Island where they have to survive on their own.
They have to learn to
Find food
Get water
Start a fire
Make a shelter.
And you get to see it all.
The oopses
The frustration
The physical demands of it all.
The importance of teamwork.
And I think many of us wonder …
>How would I handle being trapped on a deserted Island ...
> Would I live like the Swiss Family Robinson or crumble in defeat?
Survivor gives us a snapshot into the reality.
It is a Hollywood version of reality.
But then consider -
What if we did a true reality show about the life and dwelling place of God?
Not a hollywood dramatized, cut and edited version.
But the no joke reality .... a snapshot into the very life and dwelling place of God.
What would teach us about who God is?
What would it teach us about who we are?
What a reality show that would be!
And that is exactly what Isaiah 6:1-5 does for us.
It gives us a snapshot … a vision into the reality of the life and dwelling place of God.
One of 50 million hobby horses I have .... is to consider what the throne of God must be like .... the very place where God chooses to dwell in a special and unique way.
What is heaven like?
And what would it be like to be with God in heaven, before his very throne?
Not the pop culture version .... But the true reality of God and His dwelling place.
If you would open up your Bibles, as we read Isaiah 6:1-5:
Isaiah 6:1–5 ESV
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. 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. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 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!”
According to the vision of Isaiah -

God’s greatness ought to cause us to tremble in devotion and obedience to the Almighty.

And this text gives us 2 realities of God’s greatness that teach us why we should tremble in devotion and obedience to the Almighty.
********************Let us pray**********
As we consider the 2 realities that God’s greatness teaches us.
As we consider this text -
The first Reality -

(1) God is ultimately the king we need. (Isaiah 6:1-4)

The book of Isaiah is a challenging book to understand.
It is both a prophecy of judgement,
but also a prophecy of mercy found in Christ.
It promises that Israel will face Exile and devastation,
but also spiritual and physical restoration through the promised Messiah - Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite Scripture passage at Christmas time is Isaiah 9:6:
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Specifically,
Isaiah 6:1 introduces us to King Uzziah.
Isaiah 6:1 (ESV)
In the year that King Uzziah died
Who is king Uzziah?
King Uzziah was one of the most prosperous kings in Israel’s history.
John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1–39, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1986), 176–177.
Judah had known no king like Uzziah since the time of Solomon. He had been an efficient administrator and an able military leader. Under his leadership Judah had grown in every way (2 Chr. 26:1–15). He had been a true king. How easy it must have been to focus one’s hopes and trust upon a king like that. What will happen, then, when such a king dies, and coupled with that death there comes the recognition that a resurgent Assyria is pushing nearer and nearer?
Thus -

- Uzziah represented a time of lost prosperity and peace.

This vision comes at a time when many,
were afraid that the death of Uzziah would bring …
devastation
war
famine
exile
And perhaps even the end of Israel.
The death of King Uzziah would have been like a wave of fear throughout Israel.
ILLUSTRATION:
It reminds of 2020 a bit.
The first few months of the Pandemic was full of a lot of fear >>>
Fear from a unstoppable sickness.
Fear we would loose our jobs.
Fear that the world we had always known would come to an end.
As a Pastor … fear that my flock might not make it through it.
The Pandemic was like a wave of fear throughout the land.
The death of King Uzziah was like that … it caused a wave of fear to go throughout the land of Israel.
But here is the problem …
Uzziah should have never been where Israel placed their hope.
Placing their hope in a good and effective king was a misplaced trust.
First, Israel’s history did not have that many good kings.
Why would you place your hope in fallen sinners, who more likely to be corrupted by power than to use their power for Good.
Second, Even if Israel had a good king … they all will eventually die.
And thus Isaiah 6 is meant to challenge Israel to not to trust in frail human kings,
but instead to trust in the ultimate King - God.
The ruler of Heaven and Earth.
Consider - How Isaiah 6:1-4 is meant to reveal to us the majesty and greatness of God’s rule over heaven and earth.
Isaiah 6:1–4 ESV
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. 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. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

- God is the ultimate ruler over Heaven and Earth.

God is presented with
A High and mighty throne.
His robe fills the temple.
He is attended and guarded by Angelic beings.
They proclaim his Holiness, and his command of a Heavenly army.
The Entire world is filled with his glory.
And his might is such … that the great temple shook at his voice.
WOW!
What reality does that teach us?
> That no earthly king controls ultimate destiny.
> Only the High King of Heaven controls my destiny.
It taught Israel,
that their fate did not rest in the fallen king Uzziah.
But it’s destiny ultimately rested with the Almighty!
Application:
In the same way,
we need to be careful who we trust.
I love my country, and I want nothing but peace and prosperity.
But history teaches me that nations rise and fall.
I want my country to be lead by good leaders.
But history teaches me that it is futile trust in human presidents and congressman.
Our hope is not found in the greatness of any generation or particular leader,
but our hope is found - in the Ultimate King.
God is on his throne guiding our nation,
according to his plan.
Isaiah 6 is meant to teach us that God is ultimately the king we need.
Second reality of Isaiah 6,

(2) God is Holy, and we are sinful. (Isaiah 6:3-5)

Not only does Isaiah 6 show us the reality of God’s kingship,
but it reveals his holiness.
Remember, at the beginning this morning - I said …
what would a reality show of God teach us about God, and about ourselves?
Now give you a little background of Isaiah -
Isaiah is perhaps one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.
His ministry spanned 4 kings.
His book successfully predicted the next 200 years of history.
And he prophesied extensively about Jesus - well in advance.
To say it this way - I know Isaiah was a sinner … but if I follow in the footsteps of Isaiah … then I have been one of the most devote follower of God in human history.
Now consider - What Isaiah 6:3-5 teaches us about God and about ourselves.
Isaiah 6:3–5 ESV
And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 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!”
What strikes you first about this text?

- God is holy, Holy means good, pure, and awesome.

> Holy here means God is good, pure.
> Holy is repeated three times for emphasis.
You see -
There is no shade of sin, or evil inside him.
Everything about him is good and pure.
Unlike reality shows that show how disgusting humans can be
.... a close up glimpse of God shows a person who is majestically clean and good and pure.
The majesty of the vision reveals to us that God’s holiness is greater, and bigger, and more awesome than anything we have ever seen.
When we truly consider what Isaiah saw … it is literally an out of this world experience.
And yet - what is Isaiah’s response to God’s holiness.
Isaiah 6:5 ESV
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!”
Isaiah’s instant, gut reaction was to say - WOE IS ME!
It is like saying - please have pity on me.

- We are unclean and guilty.

Why does he say that?
The Word “For” in your text tells us why Isaiah says - Woe is me.
> First, Because he is set for destruction.
The ESV translates this “Lost”.
But the word has the idea of being set for destruction.
The NET Bible translates this -
Isaiah 6:5 (NET)
I am destroyed
Again - the word “For” tells us why.
Isaiah 6:5 ESV
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!”
> So second he says woe -
Because he realizes he is unclean and guilty.
I am a man of unclean lips.
On one hand this is talking about his words …
but on the other hand … where do my words come from.
Our words are always extension of our heart, mind, and soul.
Isaiah is saying far more than he spoke some nasty words.
He is also saying —
- My heart is wicked.
- My being is sinful.
And then he says,
“and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips”
Not only am I unclean myself … but my entire people are sinful.
Another way to say this … I am a sinner who comes from a long line of sinners.
ILLUSTRATION:
Sometimes people talk about their past … and will say … I come from a long line alcoholic.
So consider this - one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, stands before God and says
Isaiah 6:5 ESV
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!”
And you know what my response is to that?
Woe is to me!
Every ounce of pride and arrogance is blown out.
ILLUSTRATION:
It is just like candle gets blown out.
Instantly all of my pride, self-accomplishments, and arrogance are gone.
When I read Isaiah 6:1-5 - I realize just how unworthy I am to stand before the Almighty.
Consider this reality -
His presence always reveals the majesty of his holiness and the greatness of my sinfulness.
So what do we do with that reality?
And I think Isaiah would say — Look to the Messiah
Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 6 teaches us the reality that God is holy, and we are sinful.
But Isaiah 53 teaches us that Jesus Christ is the answer to His Holiness and our sinfulness.
I challenge you - If you do not understand how Jesus died for you on the Cross … come talk to me.
EXHORTATION:
Nothing would make my day more … than an opportunity to help someone understand how Jesus died to save us from our sins.
CONCLUSION:
So just like a reality show -
Through Isaiah 6:1-5 - we each just got a glimpse of the real presence of God.
We got to see the uncut, raw view of the life and dwelling place of God.
What did a snapshot of God’s life and dwelling place teach us?
This text teaches us two realities of life -
(1) God is ultimately the king we need. (Isaiah 6:1-4)
(2) God is Holy, and we are sinful. (Isaiah 6:3-5)
And so how do we respond to this?
We ought to tremble in devotion and obedience to the Almighty.
That is exactly how Isaiah responded.
He trembled with a healthy fear of God.
And then devoted his life to serving the Almighty.
I ask you this morning … Would you let the reality of God’s Kingship and Holiness lead you to devote yourself to God.
***********************Let us pray. *************************
Reflection and Response:
(a) What do you trust in when you are afraid? How does this passage help you put your trust in God?
(b) If you were to stand before God, what sin would be revealed?
(c) What does God’s holiness demand? How does Christ help us to respond to the awesomeness of God’s Holiness?
(d) Does my devotion to God match the reality of his kingship and holiness? What actions do you need to take to respond to the reality of God?
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