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Isaiah 6

13 verses

TL;DR

Isaiah 6 portrays the prophet’s vision of God's holiness, his purification, and his commission to confront a stubborn people facing impending judgment.

Summary

In the year Uzziah died, Isaiah sees the LORD enthroned, surrounded by seraphim that proclaim His holiness, filling the temple with smoke. Acknowledging his unclean nature, Isaiah cries woe, and a seraphim purifies him with a coal from the altar, removing his sin. The LORD then calls Isaiah to deliver a stark warning to the people, describing their deafness, blindness, and hardening hearts, and predicts the desolation of cities and houses. Isaiah questions the duration, and the LORD answers that the judgment will last until the land is utterly emptied, with only a remnant left to recover.

Outline
  1. Vision of God and seraphim proclaiming holiness
  2. Isaiah’s purification and willingness to serve
  3. God’s warning to the people and the impending desolation
Themes
Holiness and divine presenceRepentance and purificationProphetic judgment and divine sovereignty
Keywords
holinessseraphimcoalsinLord of hostsunclean lipsheartearseyesdesolationcityhouse
People
IsaiahUzziah
Places
templehouse
Things
thronetrain (garment)seraphim wingssmokelive coaltongslipssinheartearseyescitieshouseslandseed
Key Verses
  • Isaiah 6:1: The dramatic vision of God’s holiness sets the prophetic context.
  • Isaiah 6:7: The coal symbolizes divine purification of sin.
  • Isaiah 6:9-10: The call to speak the people’s stubbornness establishes the prophetic mission.
  • Isaiah 6:11-12: The description of desolation warns of the consequences of unrepentance.
Questions
  • What does the live coal represent in Isaiah’s purification?
  • How does Isaiah’s declaration of "Here am I" reflect covenantal responsibility?
  • In what way does the description of desolation function as a warning?
  • Why does Isaiah emphasize the people’s lack of understanding despite seeing and hearing?
  • How does this chapter foreshadow the themes in later prophetic literature?
Sentiment

mixed
Both awe at divine holiness and sorrow at the people’s obstinacy.