Westhill Church - Auburn & Federal Way, WA

The WEekly Word

A Blog of Encouragement from our Pastors

weekly word – 6/12/2025

Isaiah 6:1-7

Chapters 1-5 of Isaiah show that by the time of King Uzziah’s death (739 BC) Israel has fallen into sin, pride, and idolatry. God promises to judge the nation like a farmer who tears down a bad vineyard, clearing it from the land. Yet He also promises to re-plant the nation—forgiving, cleansing, and restoring Israel through His Branch, the Messiah.

In a way, this summarizes the whole book. From chapter 6 onward through chapter 66, Isaiah gives a series of oracles that expand on the first 5 chapters.

Chapter 6 stands out not just because it’s the first of these oracles, but because it vividly describes the heavenly temple of God, where he was commissioned as a prophet.

This chapter presents two main scenes. Verses 1–7 show Isaiah’s entrance into the heavenly temple. Verses 8–13 show God’s commission of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry. We’ll focus on the first scene this time.

First, in verses 1-4, Isaiah sees the Lord on a high and exalted throne. The train of his robe fills the smoke-filled temple, and the six-winged seraphim fly over him, praising His holiness.

Every detail—the height of the throne, his robe’s train, the fiery angels, and the thick smoke—point to the unmatched, untainted glory, beauty, and perfection of God. Unlike our own sense of honor, God’s high, untouchable status remains forever.

Next, in 6:5-7, Isaiah responds to the overwhelming presence of God by screaming, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of hosts.” His sinful, unholy, mortal body is falling apart in the presence of this holy God.

This language echoes Scripture’s other descriptions of the human experience of divine punishment. It isn’t merely fear; it’s the natural consequence of sinful humanity standing in the presence of a holy God.

To spare Isaiah from torment, one of the seraphim leaves God’s presence and takes a burning coal from the altar under the throne. He touches Isaiah’s mouth with it. Instantly, it removes and atones for his sin, making him fit to remain in God’s presence.

This first scene shows that, before God can call Isaiah, He must first separate him from the sin of his people—particularly his unclean speech. He must atone for Isaiah’s sinfulness in order to make him a prophet.

One crucial detail is the source of Isaiah’s atonement. The burning coal doesn’t just come from under the throne—but an altar under that throne. The placement of this altar indicates a heavenly sacrifice had to take place for Isaiah. The coal’s power to atone and cleanse isn’t inherent to the object; its atoning capacity depends on the One whose atonement it represents.

Isaiah’s forgiveness depends on the sacrificial Being who exists in heaven, above the altar.

There’s more. In verse 1, when Isaiah describes the one seated on the throne, he calls Him “Lord” (in Hebrew adonai). This is the same title King David uses in Psalm 110:1 “Yahweh says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies as a footstool for Your feet.’”

Who is this “Lord”, seated in heaven, receiving worship with Yahweh and identified with Him? Is it the Father, the Son, or the Spirit?

The Gospel of John has the answer. After referring to the crowd’s rejection of Jesus, John quotes that this rejection fulfilled Isaiah 6. Then John makes a stunning conclusion, “These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke about Him.” Isaiah was looking at Jesus on the throne.

As we reflect on this passage, let’s remember how we compare to Jesus Christ. We, like Isaiah, possess a sinfulness that makes us unworthy and incapable of standing in His holy presence. Yet He paid the ultimate price, suffering God’s wrath, so that our sin would be forgiven and removed forever, ensuring us a place in His presence.

Pastor David

6/05/2025 – God's Attributes: The Solitariness of God – Bryan

5/29/2025 – Walking in Humility – Ed

5/22/2025 – Isaiah 5 – David

5/17/2025 – The Attributes of God – Bryan

5/08/2025 – Reflecting on Our Walk – Ed

5/01/2025 – Isaiah 4 – David

4/24/2025 – Patience and Long-suffering – Bryan

4/17/2025 – Forgiveness is a Big Deal – Ed

4/10/2025 – Isaiah 3 – David

4/03/2025 – Spiritual Investing – Bryan

3/27/2025 – What's this thing called "Grace"? – Ed