Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 6:1-13)

 

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 6:1-13)

Who is God, and what does He look like? God is invisible, so no one knows what He looks like. But there are ample clues what He is like in the Scriptures. God is loving, merciful, slow to anger, compassionate, patient, forgiving. Also, our God is also holy and righteous, which means no evil can stand before Him.

At times, the Almighty God reveals Himself as majestic, awesome, and glorious ways. One such moment occurred when God revealed Himself to Moses at Mount of Horeb, manifesting His divine presence through the burning bush. In today’s passage, God reveals Himself to Isaiah in the temple. What did this revelation look like and how did Isaiah respond?

The Glory of the LORD Fills the Temple

1 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. 2 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. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1-4)

The year that King Uzziah died was around 740 B.C. About 10 years back, he contracted leprosy because he arrogantly entered the temple to burn incense, and his son Jotham became king. During that time, Isaiah witnessed an astonishing and majestic vision of the Lord’s presence in the temple. The Lord was seated on a high and exalted throne, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Above Him were Seraphim, the majestic angels, each with six wings. They covered their faces with two wings, their feet with two, and flew with two. The word seraph in Hebrew is also used for "fiery serpent" (Numbers 21:6). They called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices, the temple shook, and smoke filled the temple. Isaiah was overwhelmed with fear in the presence of the holy and majestic God.

Moses and the Israelites also experienced the LORD’s awesome presence. When God descended on Mount Sinai with a loud trumpet blast, thick clouds, and dense smoke, the whole mountain trembled violently (Exodus 19:18). The people were terrified and trembled (Exodus 19:16).

The LORD Almighty Reigns in Glory and Power

This is what is look like when the LORD God manifests Himself. Awesome and terrifying! This shows the LORD Almighty is in reins on all things in heaven and on earth. Moreover, God displayed His power, authority, and glory throughout the universe, especially the solar system and human body. The earth rotates at roughly 1,000 mph, traveling around 24,901 miles a day. It also orbits the sun at 67,000 mph, traveling approximately 1.6 million miles daily. The human body contains around 37.2 trillion cells, producing about 3.8 million new cells every second. Therefore, those who see these manifestations and still do not believe God are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

God Reveals His Power in the World

God has also demonstrated His power throughout history. He parted the Red Sea, sent a great flood in Noah’s time for forty days and forty nights, and rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. The psalmist described God’s mighty works in this way:

23 Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. 24 They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. 25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. 26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. (Psalm 107:23-26)

Jesus Revealed God's Power and Glory

Jesus, the Son of God, also manifested the Creator’s power, authority, majesty, and glory. The winds and waves obeyed His command and became calm (Mark 4:39). He healed the sick, drove out the demons, and restored sight to the blind and even raised the dead. Moreover, Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven with divine authority and answered every question with wisdom. Jesus spoke the truth in love, always with patience grace.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

However, God does not always reveal Himself in such a manner, as Moses and Isaiah experienced. It is because sinful humans cannot stand in the presence of a holy God without fear of death (Isaiah 6:5). Yet, the time will come when God will fully reveal Himself, and every nation, language, and race will see Him face to face. Until then, God restrains the devil until the appointed time (2 Thessalonians 2:6).

Your Guilt is Taken Away and Your Sin Atoned for

5 At that moment, I cried out, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." 6 Then, one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it, he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." (Isaiah 6:5-7)

Isaiah was overwhelmed with dreadful fear of death because he realized his sinfulness in the presence of the holy God. As a person with "unclean lips," he knew that sinful humanity cannot stand before a holy God. It was similar to how Moses and the Israelites trembled with fear at Mount Sinai when God descended upon it. It also happened to Jacob at Bethel, Elijah, and Peter, James, John, and Paul.

Then, a seraph came with a burning coal from the altar and touched Isaiah's lips. That fire purified him—his guilt was removed, and his sins were forgiven. The altar was the place where sacrifices were burned, representing the substitutionary death of the offering. Ultimately, this foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for the redemption of sin. In this sense, Isaiah was cleansed through the coming sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

You Will Be Ever Hearing But Never Understanding; You Will Be Ever Seeing But Never Perceiving

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." (Isaiah 6:8-10)

God was looking for someone to send to His people—to proclaim His message. Isaiah responded, "Here am I. Send me!" Even though God already knew how stubborn and unrepentant the people were, He still sent messengers to call them back to Him. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets are filled with God's lament, sorrow, and warnings over His people who had turned to idolatry. Yet, despite their rebellion, God still loved them and longed for their return.

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

"Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!" (Hosea 14:1)

Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. (Jeremiah 15:19)

At first glance, God's words to Isaiah may seem strange, as if He didn’t want people to understand or repent. They will hear but never understand. They will see but never perceive. Make their hearts calloused, ears dull, and close their eyes. Was God saying He didn’t want them to turn back?

This passage is often quoted in the New Testament. Jesus cited it in Matthew 13:13-15 and John 12:40. The apostle Paul also referenced it when he preached in Rome, where some Jews believed in Christ, but others rejected the message (Acts 28:24-27).

This does not mean God doesn’t want people to repent. Rather, it’s a warning. Those who persist in rejecting God will become hardened in their sin. It also highlights an important truth: no one can be saved apart from God’s grace. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:44)

God is always ready to forgive. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." (Isaiah 42:3)

At the end of Revelation, there is a sobering statement: "Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy." (Revelation 22:11) It was spoken at the time of Christ’s return as a warning to the disobedient and rebellion, stating that it will be too late to repent. Therefore, the right response is to repent now and prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, because no one knows when He comes back.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matthew 13:12-13)

God gives abundantly, pouring out His blessings lavishly and generously. But Who receives more and more? It is those who listen, understand, and obey the word. However, those who do not listen, understand, and obey will find even what they have taken away.

Lord, How Long?

11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, 12 until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken. 13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land." (Isaiah 6:11-13)

Isaiah asked, "Lord, how long?" It was a natural question. He was shocked—how long would the people remain blind and deaf to God's word? Would no one listen? Proclaiming a message that no one understood was heartbreaking. If people did not understand God's word, there was no salvation. So, Isaiah pleaded, "Lord, how long?"

God responded that judgment would come. The land would be devastated, cities would be abandoned, and people would be taken into exile. Even if a small remnant remained, it too would face devastation. Yet, like a tree stump left after a tree is cut down, a "holy seed" would remain. The holy seed represents those who listen, understand, and obey.

God always preserves a remnant. During Elijah’s time, He kept 7,000 people who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Though many rejected Isaiah’s message, some would listen and be saved.

Jesus also seemed to fail at first. When He was arrested, His disciples fled. He was crucified as a criminal and buried in a tomb. Only a few women remained at the cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him as the king of kings and the Lord of lords. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, and 3,000 Jews repented and believed in Jesus (Acts 2:41). Though many still reject the gospel, God continues to call a remnant to Himself.

Who are the remnants? They are those who, like Peter and Paul, recognize their own poverty, brokenness, and devastation. They understand that they have nothing to rely on but God alone. In complete surrender to the King, Almighty God, they are truly blessed—for to them, the kingdom of heaven is given. This is the secret and mystery of the cross of Jesus Christ, our Lord. No death, no gain. No cross, no crown!

March 30, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

His Anger Is Not Turned Away, His Hand Is Still Upraised (Isaiah 5:18-30)

His Anger Is Not Turned Away, His Hand Is Still Upraised (Isaiah 5:18-30)

On the surface, this world may seem peaceful and quiet, but if one looks deeper, it is filled with strife and conflict. At the root of this conflict are human selfishness, greed, and pride. It is no exaggeration to say that the human heart rarely finds true rest, wandering constantly. No matter what one does, there is no true satisfaction. Why is this so? Because human beings are created in the image of God and cannot be satisfied with the perishable things of this world. Only the spiritual blessings of God can truly fill them. God has created people to be this way.

God delights in providing what truly satisfies people. However, the problem lies in the fact that we desire spiritual grace while simultaneously seeking physical comfort and satisfaction. We as Christians wish to do good for the sake of heavenly blessings and desire to hate and shun evil. Yet, we are unable to do good and find ourselves doing the very evil we claim to hate (Romans 7:15). This is because of the weakness of the flesh.

Therefore, God, knowing human frailty, disciplines and refines them. Even in this world, one undergoes rigorous training, like an Olympic athlete, to reach the top, gaining some benefit. However, God's holy discipline is beneficial in every way (1 Timothy 4:8). Indeed, God's discipline is thorough and holy. He chastises relentlessly to remove evil. Today's passage is no exception. Discipline and refinement are painful and sorrowful. The message of God's judgment delivered by Isaiah is one of fear and trembling.

Woe to Those Who Draw Sin with Cords of Deceit

18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, 19 to those who say, “Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. The plan of the Holy One of Israel—let it approach, let it come into view, so we may know it.” (Isaiah 5:18-19)

This is a warning against false prophets. They use deceit as a cord and pull wickedness as with cart ropes. They incite lies against the Lord God and boast arrogantly, saying that the Holy One of Israel should quickly fulfill His plans for them to see. They fail to grasp the fearful and majestic nature of the day of the Lord. Even after witnessing God’s presence on Mount Sinai, they remained ignorant and arrogant. In the last days, scoffers will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?” and mock the truth (2 Peter 3:4).

God commanded, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). Yet, false prophets misled the people of Jerusalem, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there was no peace, even as destruction loomed (Jeremiah 6:14). The false prophets sought greed (Numbers 22:17). Balaam, enticed by Moabite King Balak’s offer of money, attempted to curse Israel but failed. Eventually, he led Israel into sin through Moabite women, causing them to fall into sexual immorality (Numbers 31:16).

In the last days, false prophets and teachers will use sweet and deceptive words to lead people astray (2 Timothy 4:3). Many today disguise themselves under the name of the prosperity gospel, using God’s name to amass wealth. They remain trapped in ignorance, knowing nothing of God. However, all lies hidden in darkness will be exposed in the light (Hebrews 4:13). No one can deceive the God whose eyes are like blazing fire (Revelation 1:14). “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).

The false prophet Balaam was killed by the sword when the Reubenites attacked the Moabite region (Joshua 13:22). During Jeremiah’s time, the false prophet Hananiah falsely declared that God had broken the yoke of Babylon and that within two years, the temple articles and the exiled leaders would return (Jeremiah 28:1-4). Through Jeremiah, God declared that Hananiah would be removed from the earth because he had preached rebellion against the Lord. That same year, he died (Jeremiah 28:16-17).

Woe to Those Who Deny the Truth

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. (Isaiah 5:20)

Truth is unchanging and eternal. God created light and separated it from darkness (Genesis 1:3-4). God is light; in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is the only true door leading those under sin into eternal life. Yet, there are those who deny that Jesus is the Son of God—these are the antichrists (1 John 2:22).

False teachers rise, calling evil good and good evil, attempting to obscure the truth. They falsely claim that bitterness is sweetness and sweetness is bitterness, boldly perpetuating lies. This is a contempt of God’s patience and grace (Romans 2:4). The sons-in-law-to-be of Lot in Sodom dismissed the angels’ warning of imminent destruction as a joke (Genesis 19:14). During Micah’s time, people persecuted the prophets, saying, “Disaster will not overtake us” (Micah 2:6). In Malachi’s time, people dishonored the Lord by offering blemished sacrifices and then questioned how they had shown contempt for His name (Malachi 1:6-7).

When Jesus cast out demons, the Jews accused Him of doing so by the power of demons (Matthew 12:24). When He forgave the sins of a paralyzed man, they accused Him of blasphemy (Matthew 9:3). When Jesus ate with tax collectors at Matthew’s house, they slandered Him, calling Him a glutton and a drunkard who associated with sinners (Matthew 9:11; Luke 7:34). Jesus told the unbelieving Jews, “You belong to your father, the devil” (John 8:44). The devil is a liar and the father of lies. Those who deny the truth, like the devil, are his children.

Woe to Those Who Are Wise in Their Own Eyes

"Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight." (Isaiah 5:21)

People think they are wise, but they are foolish. They think they have understanding, but they lack wisdom. This is because they have fallen into sin. The essence of sin is not relying on God. Instead, they place themselves in God's position, judging as if they were the ultimate authority. However, wisdom is knowing God. The one who has received the grace of Christ’s redemption and has been justified is truly wise. Those who do not know God are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). But those who fear and revere the Lord have wisdom, for "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10).

Woe to those who exalt themselves. King Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself and sought his own glory, but before his words fell from his lips, he became like a beast, living in the fields and eating grass for seven years (Daniel 4:33). King Herod heard the people's praise and did not give glory to God but sought his own glory. As a result, he was struck down and eaten by worms, and he died (Acts 12:23). God did not accept the prayer of the Pharisee who exalted himself, compared himself to a tax collector, and boasted of his righteousness (Luke 18:14). But He accepted the prayer of the tax collector, who could not even look up to heaven and beat his chest in repentance.

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

Woe to Those Who Drink Wine and Love Strong Drink

"Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent." (Isaiah 5:22-23)

Therefore, as fire devours the stubble and dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore, the Lord’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (Isaiah 5:24-25)

Woe to those who indulge in excessive drinking and strong drink—it is never something to boast about. They pervert justice by accepting bribes, declaring the wicked innocent and depriving the righteous of their rights. Their drinking gatherings became places where bribes were exchanged, and verdicts were determined. Judges and officials formed their own exclusive social clubs where they plotted injustice and corruption. Instead of using their God-given positions to lead and guide people in righteousness, they exploited and robbed them like thieves and bandits (Hosea 6:9). They rejected the Lord God, despised His holy word, and treated Him as though He were insignificant.

Then, the fierce wrath of God was revealed from heaven. Just as fire consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, it devoured them like stubble and dry grass in flames. Their roots rotted, and their flowers scattered like dust. God's judgment was thorough and terrifying. But the Lord alone will be exalted (Isaiah 2:11, 17, 5:16). Through His righteous judgment, His holiness is revealed. All evil will be eradicated, and every injustice will be rectified, like unraveling tangled threads.

As God's fierce wrath fell, mountains trembled, and corpses lay in the streets like refuse. It was a truly dreadful and horrific disaster upon Israel. Yet, that was not the end. Even then, the Lord’s anger did not subside, and His hand remained outstretched. His discipline was not yet complete. Until He had completely removed evil from among them, His wrath would not cease.

God’s Fierce Wrath is His Holy Love

This is not because God delights in anger but because He desires salvation through His holy love. How can God's wrath be an expression of His love? Injustice and evil must be judged. Even human courts punish crimes such as murder. Likewise, sin and wickedness cannot be tolerated. But all people are sinners; no one is righteous. Therefore, all are deserving of judgment as children of wrath.

God should have judged and condemned people, casting them into the fires of hell. However, He laid upon His beloved Son the punishment that people deserved. This was the only way for sinners to be saved—through the shedding of the innocent Son’s blood. God did not spare His only begotten Son but gave Him up to atone for the sins of the world. This demonstrates how seriously and righteously God regards sin.

Sin always has consequences. The saying, "You cannot escape the consequences of sin," is true. Adam’s sin resulted in death, just as God had declared: "You will certainly die" (Genesis 2:17). The cruel and agonizing punishment Jesus suffered on the cross was what we deserved for our sins. Because God is holy and just, He cannot overlook sin. Therefore, the forgiveness of sins is the most urgent necessity for all humanity.

God Desires No One to Perish, but All to be Saved

God’s wrath is like a brake warning that sin has consequences. If wrongdoing went unpunished, society would descend into lawlessness and disaster. Once God's final judgment is executed, there will be no turning back, and sinners will be cast into eternal fire. However, God does not want anyone to perish but desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). This is why He relentlessly reveals His wrath from heaven. It is an expression of His unchanging, holy love toward sinners.

No one enjoys rebuke or discipline. Even when one is at fault, being reprimanded is uncomfortable and heavy. In Scripture, God repeatedly rebuked, admonished, mourned, lamented, and warned the Israelites about destruction. In the book of Isaiah, there is not a single instance where God praises Israel. This is extremely rare in the entire Bible, with Hebrews 11 being one of the few chapters highlighting faithful predecessors.

In Deuteronomy 28, there are three to four times more curses than blessings. Why? Because of God's holy love. He does not want even one person to stumble but desires all to enjoy eternal blessings with Jesus Christ. Therefore, He disciplines and refines all who believe in Him. After experiencing God’s discipline, they will bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness and receive the crown of life (Hebrews 12:11, Revelation 2:10).

There is Only Darkness and Distress; Even the Sun Will be Darkened by Clouds

"26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily! 27 Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal strap is broken. 28 Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung; their horses’ hooves seem like flint, their chariot wheels like a whirlwind. 29 Their roar is like that of the lion, they roar like young lions; they growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue. 30 In that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks at the land, there is only darkness and distress; even the sun will be darkened by clouds." (Isaiah 5:26-30)

This depicts foreign armies invading Israel to devour it, leaving devastation. The land of Israel was covered in darkness and distress, with the light obscured by clouds. These refer to the armies of Assyria and Babylon. God used these nations as instruments of discipline for Israel, not because they were righteous, but as His tools of judgment. Eventually, their own sins increased, and they too faced God's judgment (Isaiah 14:24-27, 47:1-15).

God’s love is a painful love. Parents do not want to grieve or discourage their children, but they discipline them to lead them on the right path. How much more will our holy Heavenly Father discipline and refine His beloved children? Through God's discipline, our faith is refined, producing perseverance and hope in His kingdom (Romans 5:3-4)."

March 23, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.