What did the seraphim mean when they cried out “holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts”?  Find out in this message on the holiness of God.

Teaching Notes:

The God Of The Bible Is Holy

1. The Meaning Of The Holiness of God

1) Perfect Freedom From All Evil: 1Jn.1:5

2) Love of Righteousness and Hatred of Evil: Ps.45:7; Ps.5:4-6; Prov.6:16-19. Abomination is an object of hatred and detestation.

3) “Set Apart”: root meaning of word. Speaks of God’s separateness or otherness from all His creation. These things in Bible said to be holy: God, Jesus, Spirit, Ground Assembly, nation, Place – temple, Sabbath, Garments for the priests, their crown, Priests, The altar, whatever touches the altar, Anointing oil, Sacrifices, offerings, gifts, God’s Name, Convocations, festivals, Year of Jubilee, Tithe, Furnishings of the sanctuary, Water – for law of jealousy, Nazirite while under his vow, Firstborn of ox, sheep, or goat, God’s habitation in heaven, Place of God’s presence, Utensils of tabernacle, Man of God, Holy of holies, Ark, City – Jerusalem, Mt. Zion, Throne, God’s way, Land, Hill, Attire, array, garments of priests or those who sing to the Lord, God’s Arm, God’s Word, God’s People, Covenant, Angels, Prophets and apostles, Every first-born male, Scriptures, The Law and the commandment, The Believer’s body as a living sacrifice, Kiss of believers, Hands of men praying in church, Calling, Brethren, Priesthood, Women who hoped in God and were submissive to their husbands, Faith.

What do all these have in common? All associated with God. Because He is holy (set apart) everything connected to Him also holy (set apart).

2. Isaiah’s Encounter with the Holiness of God Isaiah 6:1-4

Isaiah’s Vision of the Lord: Is.6:1-4. Lord = Adonai, not Jehovah. Adonai = Supreme Sovereign One. Most exalted title OT uses for God.

Isaiah 6:1
According to John 12:40-42, who is Isaiah seeing?
Where is the Lord sitting?
What kinds of people sit on thrones? Kings – He can do whatever He pleases!
What 2 words does Isaiah use to describe Him on this throne? Lofty and Exalted – above all, beyond all competition. Speaks of Majesty.
What garment does Isaiah describe in 6:1? What significance does this have? In ancient world, the clothing of monarchs was the measure of their status. Today, Queen wears wedding gown with long flowing train that attendants carry while walks down aisle. Reveals status of royalty. Majesty!

Isaiah 6:2
What creatures does Isaiah see in 6:2? Seraphim. This only place in Bible they are mentioned. Evidently exalted angelic creatures immediately surrounding throne.
Why do you think the seraphim cover their face? No one can look upon God & live. Though angel’s faces much more beautiful than humans (Acts 6:15), even they can’t bear dazzling luster of divine glory. Also aware of infinite distance between them & God’s holiness – ashamed to show faces before Him. They are sinless creatures yet conscious of being as nothing in sight of pure and holy God. Filled with awe & serve w/ fear.
Why do you think the seraphim cover their feet? Cover face cuz unworthy to behold Him, cover feet cuz unworthy to serve Him! Feet reveal creatureliness – come in contact with ground. Conscious of infinite distance between them and Holiest of all.
Why do they fly? To zealously fulfill God’s will when sent on errands.

Isaiah 6:3
What do the seraphim call out?
Why do they repeat “holy” three times? Example of repetition – Gal.1:8-9; Jn.3:5. This only example of triple repetition in Bible. Happens twice – Rev.4. If possible to elevate one of God’s attributes above rest, this would be the one. In the only 2 instances we are permitted to see into throne room & view God in His glory, hear angelic beings singing “holy, holy, holy.” If all God’s attributes were members of His body, holiness would be the spirit that animated all of them. Today have overemphasis on love of God. Need to come back to focus on holiness.

Isaiah 6:4
What happened when the seraphim called out? What is its significance?

Isaiah’s Response to God’s Holiness

Isaiah 6:5
What is the first thing Isaiah says? What does “woe” mean? Pronouncement of judgment. Mt.23. Isaiah pronounces judgment upon himself. When finds out who God is, sees more clearly who he is. Cursed is me. Judged am I.
What does Isaiah mean when he says he is ruined? KJV = undone. To come apart at seams. Unraveled – like toilet paper. Experiencing what modern psychologists call “personal disintegration.” To integrate = to put pieces together in unified whole. When schools integrate, children come together from 2 races to form 1 student body. Integrity – when you’ve got it all together. If ever was man of integrity was Isaiah. Was a whole man, together. Considered by contemporaries as most righteous man in nation. But in brief moment was shattered, exposed, made naked beneath gaze of absolute holiness. As long as compared himself w/ others could have lofty opinion of character. Instant compared himself with God morally destroyed & spiritually annihilated. M. Henry: “No attribute of God is more dreadful to sinners than His holiness.”
What specific sin was Isaiah immediately convicted of? With what pure lips did Seraphim praise God. Impurity of our speech ought to be the grief of our souls.
How did Isaiah view his own people? Unclean lips. Was leper in midst of leprous world. He is polluted in midst of polluted world.

Isaiah 6:6-7
How does God respond to Isaiah’s repentance?
What is the significance that the coal was taken from the altar?
Do you think this took place literally or symbolically in vision?
What was the scorching pain of the coal touching Isaiah’s mouth intended to teach us?

3. Our Response to the Holiness of God

Reverence for God: Rev.15:4
Hatred of Sin: Deut.7:25-26; Rom.12:9
Conviction of Sin: Is.6:5
Repentance of Sin: Hab.1:13
Worship of God: Rev.4:8-10
Pursuit of Holiness: 1Pet.1:14-16; Heb.12:14
Resignation to God’s Will: Job 1:20-22. if we realize all God does is holy, won’t murmur or complain at His providential dealings with us.