Encountering the Holiness of God - 21 August 2024
Xanthe Hancox
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ Isaiah 6:1-3, NIV
Today’s verse describes the prophet Isaiah’s powerful vision of God’s holiness during a time of uncertainty in Israel. King Uzziah has died, and it was a period of national instability and anxiety. Isaiah sees the Lord in his glory, seated on a throne, surrounded by angelic beings who are proclaiming God’s holiness.
Isaiah’s vision of God is one of the most vivid and awe-inspiring in all of Scripture. The image of the Lord, high and exalted, with the train of his robe filling the temple, paints a picture of God’s majesty and glory that is overwhelming. The seraphim, who cover their faces and feet in the presence of God, emphasise just how holy and awesome he is. Their continuous cry of “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” underscores the absolute purity and transcendence of God.
This passage invites us to reflect on the holiness of God, a concept that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. God’s holiness is not just about moral perfection; it’s about his otherness, his being set apart from all creation. In our lives, we may become accustomed to thinking of God in familiar terms, but passages like this remind us that God’s presence is overwhelmingly holy, deserving of our deepest reverence.
In recognising God’s holiness, we also recognise our own need for humility before him. Isaiah, upon seeing this vision, is immediately aware of his own unworthiness, declaring, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). Yet, it is in this very recognition of his unworthiness that God extends grace, purifying Isaiah and calling him to serve.
How do we respond to the holiness of God in our own lives? Do we approach him with the reverence and awe he deserves? This passage challenges us to view our relationship with God through the lens of his holiness, understanding that every encounter with him is an encounter with the divine. It’s a call to worship, to humility, and to a deeper understanding of who God truly is.
Prayer: Holy God, I stand in awe of your greatness and majesty. Like Isaiah, I recognise that I am unworthy to stand in your presence, yet you invite me to come before you. Help me to never lose sight of your holiness and to approach you with the reverence and awe that you deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.