Isaiah's Vision of God

Isaiah's Vision of God

Isa. 6:1

The God of Isaiah's vision was transcendent, He was high and lifted up. He was exalted above the heavens. Before His throne the seraphim bowed in reverence with wings covering their faces. They realized their creaturehood and covered their feet in humility. They acknowledged their submission, for they were poised ready to fly in obedience to the will of their Creator. The Lord of Hosts inhabits eternity. The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. The whole earth is full of His glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge" (Ps. 19:1-2).

The God Isaiah saw was immanent. He was active in the affairs of men and nations. It was in the year King Uzziah died that Isaiah saw the Lord. The prophet had great respect for the king who had ruled so long and so well. But he saw that same king stricken with leprosy because his heart was lifted up with pride. Uzziah in human frailty had fallen and was dead. God was alive, infallible, active, and ruling in the life of the nation. God is today the supreme Ruler. His kingdom of righteousness shall prevail.

The God of Isaiah's vision was holy. The seraphim sang in antiphonal choirs, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts." Isaiah was a new man. The vision transformed Isaiah. He saw God and he saw himself. His "Woe is me!" is followed by "Here am I." It is ever thus.