In chapter six, Isaiah describes the time that he saw the Lord. This was the time that Isaiah got a right view of God and a right view of Himself. In this study, we will look at God. What is God like? How does Isaiah describe God?
1. God is high and lifted up.
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.” (Isaiah 6:1a)
From this verse, we see that God sits upon a throne. God is King. The last part of Psalm 47:2 describes God as “a great King over all the earth.” God is not only King, but He is also the highest king and the highest authority. This first part of Psalm 47:2 says, “the LORD most high is terrible.” God is the most high. There is no one higher than He. God is also terrible; that is, He causes fear and dread and is to be reverenced.
2. “His train filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1b)
This statements brings to mind a long, flowing robe, the train of which fills the temple. This depicts the glory of God.
There are other times in the Bible that God’s glory is said to fill the temple. One is found in I Kings chapter eight, when the priests went in to minister after Solomon completed the building of the temple, “10) And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11) So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”
Another time that God's glory fills the temple is found in Revelation chapter fifteen when the seven angels pour out the seven vials full of God’s wrath, which comes as plagues upon earth. “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (Revelation 15:8)
God manifests His glory when God’s people approach Him in true worship and also when He is pouring out His wrath and judgment.
3. God is surrounded by attending angels.
“Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.”
God’s greatness is so high and so grand that even His attending angels cover themselves when they are near His throne.
4. God is holy.
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)
The seraphim that attend the Lord God and are around His throne cry “Holy, holy, holy.” God describes Himself, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place.” (Isaiah 57:15a) God is holy; He dwells in the high and holy place; and His name is Holy. There is not a spot of uncleanness in Him. He is completely separate from evil and from anything that defiles.
In Revelation 4:8, we once again see the created beings around God’s throne declaring His holiness, “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” God is holy throughout time and all eternity.
5. “The whole earth is full of his glory.” (Revelation 3:6b)
Although the earth is currently the devil’s domain, and Satan is the prince and power of the air, the earth really belongs to God. He created it, and the earth and all those that dwell in it are under God’s power and control. “The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) The Bible teaches that God’s glory is revealed in every part of the earth. Everyone is without excuse because God’s creation declares the glory of God, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3) Also, consider these verses in Romans chapter one, “That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19,20)
There will come a time when God’s glory is revealed to the ends of the earth, “18) Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19) And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” (Psalm 72:18,19) Isaiah chapter forty, verse five explains, “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
6. God’s voice and glory caused the house (temple) to shake and the temple was filled with the smoke of God’s glory.
“And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” (Isaiah 6:4)
Ezekiel had a similar vision of God’s throne, and He also described the voice and the shaking and the smoke of God’s glory, “4) Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD's glory. 5) And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.” (Ezekiel 10:4,5)
The Bible paints such a vivid portrait of God. He is great, holy, separate from sin and all that defiles. God is Almighty, has a voice that shakes the temple, and His glory fills heaven and earth. There is none like unto God. There is none greater than God. God is to be feared, honored, and reverenced. This is the God whom we praise, when we sing, “What a mighty God we serve!” We are privileged to serve this God, to love Him, to pray to Him through the merits of His Son Jesus Christ, and to enter His very throne room to lay our petitions at His feet.
Isaiah would soon be going out to serve God. Before he did, God made sure that Isaiah had a right view of what God is like. That is what we all need – a right view of God.