Encountering God’s Holiness: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Isaiah 6

Executive Summary ✨

Isaiah 6, a cornerstone of prophetic literature, unveils the profound encounter between the prophet Isaiah and the thrice-holy God. This chapter dramatically illustrates Isaiah’s call to ministry, emphasizing the stark contrast between divine holiness and human sinfulness. The vision reveals God seated on His throne, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming His sanctity, leading to Isaiah’s profound sense of unworthiness. Cleansed by a burning coal from the altar, Isaiah is commissioned to preach a message of judgment and repentance, a task both daunting and divinely ordained. Understanding Isaiah’s call is vital for grasping the essence of prophetic ministry, the nature of God’s holiness, and the importance of personal purification before serving the Lord. This commentary explores the chapter verse by verse, offering theological insights rooted in Coptic Orthodox tradition and Patristic wisdom, revealing its enduring relevance for contemporary spiritual life.

Isaiah 6 provides a powerful and enduring vision of God’s holiness, Isaiah’s call, and the transformative power of divine grace. This commentary delves deep into the chapter, offering Coptic Orthodox perspectives and practical applications for modern believers.

Commentary Sections 📖

Isaiah 6:1 – Vision of the Lord

Hebrew: בִּשְׁנַת־מוֹת֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ וָאֶרְאֶ֧ה אֶת־אֲדֹנָ֛י יֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסֵּא רָ֖ם וְנִשָּׂ֑א וְשׁוּלָ֖יו מְלֵאִ֥ים אֶת־הַהֵיכָֽל׃

KJV: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

NKJV: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

The chapter opens with a specific historical marker: “In the year that King Uzziah died.” Uzziah’s reign, though generally prosperous, ended in tragedy when he attempted to perform priestly duties and was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-23). The timing is significant. The death of a king often brought instability, anxiety, and uncertainty. Yet, amidst this political upheaval, Isaiah sees something eternal and unwavering: the Lord enthroned, a vision of divine sovereignty untouched by earthly events. “Sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” speaks to God’s supreme authority and transcendence. The “train of His robe filled the temple” symbolizes His glory and omnipresence, permeating the entire sanctuary. In Coptic Orthodox iconography, the image of Christ Pantocrator (All-Ruler) echoes this vision, reminding us that God reigns over all creation, regardless of earthly circumstances.

Spiritual Application: When faced with personal or societal crises, fix your gaze on the unchanging nature of God and His eternal kingship.

Patristic Insight: Saint Athanasius the Apostolic teaches that the vision of the Lord’s glory transcends earthly limitations: “Οὐ γὰρ ὅμοιος ὁ Θεὸς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, ἵνα δόξα αὐτοῦ περιορίζεται” (For God is not like men, that His glory is limited – *Contra Arianos*, PG 26, 329).

Isaiah 6:2 – The Seraphim

Hebrew: שְׂרָפִים֙ עֹמְדִים֙ מִמַּ֔עַל לוֹ֙ שֵׁשׁ־כְּנָפַ֣יִם שֵׁשׁ־כְּנָפַ֣יִם לְאֶחָ֔ד בִּשְׁתַּיִם֙ יְכַסֶּ֣ה פָנָ֔יו וּבִשְׁתַּיִם֙ יְכַסֶּ֣ה רַגְלָ֔יו וּבִשְׁתַּיִם֙ יְעוֹפֵֽף׃

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

The seraphim, celestial beings standing above the throne, possess six wings each. With two wings, they cover their faces, signifying reverence and humility before the divine glory. With two wings, they cover their feet, indicating unworthiness to stand in God’s presence. With the remaining two wings, they fly, ever ready to execute God’s commands. This imagery speaks to the profound respect and awe that even the highest angelic beings have before God. The seraphim’s constant adoration mirrors the perpetual worship offered in the heavenly realms, reflected in the Divine Liturgy of the Coptic Orthodox Church, where we join the angels in praising God. The existence of angelic beings is affirmed throughout scripture (Psalm 103:20, Hebrews 1:14), reinforcing the reality of the unseen spiritual world that interacts with our own.

Spiritual Application: Cultivate humility and reverence in your worship and service to God.

Patristic Insight: Saint Cyril of Alexandria reflects on the seraphim’s adoration: “Ἡ τῶν Σεραφὶμ λατρεία δείκνυσιν τὴν πρέπουσαν ἀεὶ προσκύνησιν τῷ Θεῷ” (The worship of the Seraphim shows the proper constant adoration to God – *Commentary on Isaiah*, PG 70, 229).

Isaiah 6:3 – The Holy, Holy, Holy

Hebrew: וְקָרָא֩ זֶ֨ה אֶל־זֶ֜ה וְאָמַ֗ר קָדֹ֤שׁ ׀ קָדֹשׁ֙ קָדֹ֔שׁ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת מְלֹ֥א כָל־הָאָ֖רֶץ כְּבוֹדֽוֹ׃

KJV: And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

NKJV: And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

The seraphim’s cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” is a threefold declaration of God’s absolute holiness and perfection. This is not merely a repetition for emphasis but a profound theological statement. The threefold repetition points towards the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each equally divine and holy. “Lord of hosts” refers to God’s sovereignty over all creation, particularly the angelic armies. “The whole earth is full of His glory” signifies God’s omnipresence and the manifestation of His divine attributes in all things. This verse is central to Coptic Orthodox liturgical tradition, forming a crucial part of the Trisagion Hymn, sung during worship services, affirming our belief in the Holy Trinity and God’s encompassing glory.

Spiritual Application: Meditate on the holiness of God and strive to reflect His purity in your daily life. Recognize His glory manifested in creation and offer Him praise.

Patristic Insight: Saint Basil the Great explains the significance of the threefold holiness: “Ἡ τριπλῆ ὀμολογία τῆς ἁγιότητος δείκνυσιν τὴν τριυπόστατον θεότητα” (The threefold confession of holiness shows the three-personal Godhead – *On the Holy Spirit*, PG 32, 132).

Isaiah 6:4 – The Foundations Tremble

Hebrew: וַיָּנֻעוּ֙ אַמּ֣וֹת הַסִּפִּ֔ים מִקּוֹל֙ הַקּוֹרֵ֔א וְהַבַּ֖יִת יִמָּלֵ֥א עָשָֽׁן׃

KJV: And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

NKJV: And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.

The power of the seraphim’s voice causes the “posts of the door” (the temple’s foundations) to tremble, and the house is filled with smoke. This depicts the overwhelming and transformative power of God’s presence. The trembling foundations signify the instability of the earthly realm in comparison to God’s eternal foundation. The smoke symbolizes God’s glory, mystery, and the inaccessibility of His full essence to human understanding. The filling of the temple with smoke is also reminiscent of the cloud that filled the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 40:34-35), signifying God’s presence and the sacredness of the encounter. The physical reaction to the divine presence underscores the radical otherness of God, a concept that challenges human comprehension.

Spiritual Application: Seek encounters with God that shake your foundations and fill you with a sense of His awesome power and holiness.

Patristic Insight: Saint Gregory Palamas describes the divine energies as transformative: “Ἡ ἐνέργεια τοῦ Θεοῦ μεταμορφοῖ τοὺς μετέχοντας αὐτῆς” (The energy of God transforms those who partake of it – *Triads*, PG 150, 225).

Isaiah 6:5 – Isaiah’s Confession

Hebrew: וָאֹמַ֗ר אוֹי־לִי֙ כִּֽי־נִדְמֵ֔יתִי כִּ֛י אִישׁ־טְמֵא־שְׂפָתַ֥יִם אָנֹכִ֖י וּבְת֣וֹךְ עַם־טְמֵא־שְׂפָתַ֣יִם אָנֹכִ֣י יוֹשֵׁ֔ב כִּ֛י אֶת־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ יְהוָֽה־צְבָא֖וֹת רָא֥וּ עֵינָֽי׃

KJV: Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

NKJV: So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”

Overwhelmed by the vision of God’s holiness, Isaiah cries out, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” This is a profound confession of sinfulness and unworthiness. Isaiah recognizes that his words and the words of his people are tainted by sin and that he is unfit to stand in the presence of the Holy One. The phrase “unclean lips” refers not only to individual sins but also to the corruption and injustice prevalent in society. His confession underscores the vast chasm between divine perfection and human imperfection, a chasm that can only be bridged by God’s grace. This verse teaches us that true encounter with God leads to a deep sense of humility and repentance.

Spiritual Application: Examine your conscience and confess your sins with sincerity, recognizing your need for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Patristic Insight: Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of recognizing our sinfulness: “Ἡ γνῶσις τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν ἐστὶν ἡ ἀρχὴ τῆς σωτηρίας” (The knowledge of our sins is the beginning of salvation – *Homilies on Romans*, PG 60, 433).

Isaiah 6:6-7 – Cleansing by the Coal

Hebrew: וַיָּעָף֩ אֵלַ֨י אֶחָ֜ד מִן־הַשְּׂרָפִים וּבְיָדוֹ֙ רִצְפָּ֔ה בְּמֶלְקַחַ֖יִם לָקַ֣ח מֵעַל־הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ וַיַּגַּ֣ע עַל־פִּי וַיֹּאמַ֗ר הִנֵּה֙ נָגַע֙ זֶה עַל־שְׂפָתֶ֔יךָ וְסָ֣ר עֲוֹנֶ֔ךָ וְחַטָּאתְךָ֖ תְּכֻפָּֽר׃

KJV: Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

NKJV: Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”

One of the seraphim flies to Isaiah, holding a live coal taken from the altar with tongs. This is a symbolic act of purification. The altar represents sacrifice and atonement, and the burning coal signifies divine fire that consumes impurities. Touching Isaiah’s mouth with the coal represents the cleansing of his speech and the consecration of his words for prophetic ministry. The seraphim declares, “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” This cleansing is not merely a symbolic gesture but a real and transformative act of divine grace. The image of the burning coal prefigures the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, who purifies and empowers believers for service. In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the sacrament of confession mirrors this purification, where through repentance and the priest’s absolution, sins are forgiven and the soul is cleansed.

Spiritual Application: Seek purification through confession, repentance, and the grace of the sacraments. Allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse and empower your words and actions.

Patristic Insight: Saint Ephrem the Syrian describes the purifying power of divine grace: “Ἡ χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ καθαίρει καὶ φωτίζει τὴν ψυχήν” (The grace of God cleanses and illuminates the soul – *Hymns on Paradise*, 3, 6).

Isaiah 6:8 – Isaiah’s Commission

Hebrew: וָאֶשְׁמַע֙ אֶת־ק֣וֹל אֲדֹנָ֔י אֹמֵר֙ אֶת־מִ֣י אֶשְׁלַ֔ח וּמִ֥י יֵלֶךְ־לָ֖נוּ וָאֹמַ֖ר הִנְנִ֥י שְׁלָחֵֽנִי׃

KJV: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

NKJV: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

After being cleansed, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The use of the plural pronoun “us” is another subtle hint towards the Trinitarian nature of God. Isaiah, now purified and empowered, responds immediately, “Here am I; send me.” This is a powerful expression of willingness and obedience. Isaiah’s response is not coerced but freely given, demonstrating the transformative power of divine grace. His willingness to serve, even without knowing the full extent of the task, is a model for all believers. This verse highlights the call to ministry that every Christian receives, to be witnesses of Christ and to proclaim His Gospel to the world. The Coptic Orthodox Church emphasizes the importance of responding to God’s call with humility, obedience, and a willingness to serve wherever He leads.

Spiritual Application: Be open to God’s call in your life and respond with willingness and obedience, trusting in His guidance and provision.

Patristic Insight: Saint Clement of Alexandria emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s call: “Ἡ ὑπακοὴ εἰς τὸν Θεὸν ἐστὶν ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς σωτηρίας” (Obedience to God is the way of salvation – *Stromata*, II, 11, 50).

Isaiah 6:9-10 – A Message of Judgment

Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ לֵ֨ךְ וְאָמַרְתָּ֜ לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֗ה שִׁמְע֤וּ שָׁמוֹעַ֙ וְאַל־תָּבִ֔ינוּ וּרְא֣וּ רָא֔וּ וְאַל־תֵּדָֽעוּ׃ הַשְׁמֵן֙ לֵב־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְאָזְנָיו֙ הַכְבֵּ֔ד וְעֵינָ֖יו הָשַׁ֑ע פֶּן־יִרְאֶ֤ה בְעֵינָיו֙ וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו יִשְׁמָ֔ע וּלְבָב֖וֹ יָבִ֑ין וָשָׁב֙ וְרָפָ֣א לֽוֹ׃

KJV: And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

NKJV: And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”

God’s commission to Isaiah takes a perplexing turn. He is instructed to preach a message that will harden the hearts of the people: “Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.” This is not a command for Isaiah to actively harden their hearts, but rather a prediction of the response they will have to his message. The purpose of this seemingly paradoxical command is to highlight the people’s stubbornness and resistance to God’s truth. By rejecting the prophet’s message, they bring judgment upon themselves. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of those who have eyes but do not see and ears but do not hear (Matthew 13:14-15). The verse emphasizes the importance of having an open heart and a willingness to receive God’s word in order to experience healing and restoration.

Spiritual Application: Examine your own heart and be willing to receive God’s truth, even when it is challenging. Guard against spiritual complacency and cultivate a desire for understanding and growth.

Patristic Insight: Saint Augustine explains the hardening of hearts as a consequence of rejecting grace: “Induratio cordis est poena relinquentis gratiam Dei” (The hardening of the heart is the punishment for abandoning the grace of God – *De Gratia et Libero Arbitrio*, 24).

Isaiah 6:11-13 – The Remnant

Hebrew: וָאֹמַ֕ר עַד־מָתַ֖י אֲדֹנָ֑י וַיֹּאמֶר֙ עַ֣ד אֲשֶׁר־אִם־שָׁא֣וּ עָרִים֙ מֵאֵין־יוֹשֵׁ֔ב וּבָתִּים֙ מֵאֵין־אָדָ֔ם וְהָאֲדָמָ֖ה תִּשָּׁאֶ֥ה שְׁמָמָֽה׃ וְרִחַ֥ק יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־הָאָדָ֑ם וְרַבָּ֥ה הָעֲזוּבָ֖ה בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָאָֽרֶץ׃ וְעוֹד֙ בָּ֣הּ עֲשִׂירִיָּ֔ה וְשָׁבָ֖ה וְהָיְתָ֣ה לְבָעֵ֑ר כָּאֵלָ֣ה וְכָאַלּוֹן֙ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁלֶּ֥כֶת מַצֶּ֖בֶת לָ֑הּ זֶ֥רַע קֹ֖דֶשׁ מַצַּבְתָּֽהּ׃

KJV: Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

NKJV: Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. But yet a tenth will be in it, And will return and be for consuming, As a terebinth tree or as an oak, Whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.”

Isaiah asks, “Lord, how long?” indicating his concern for the duration of this judgment. God responds that the judgment will continue “Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant…and the land be utterly desolate.” This speaks of a period of severe destruction and exile. However, even in the midst of judgment, there is a glimmer of hope. God promises that “yet a tenth will be in it,” a remnant that will survive. This remnant is likened to the stump of a tree, which remains even after the tree is cut down, symbolizing the enduring promise of God’s covenant. “The holy seed shall be the substance thereof” indicates that from this remnant, a new generation will arise, carrying the promise of God’s salvation. This verse is a testament to God’s faithfulness and His enduring plan for His people, even in the face of judgment. The Coptic Orthodox Church sees this remnant as a prefiguration of the Church itself, which continues to bear witness to Christ even in times of persecution and adversity.

Spiritual Application: Hold onto hope and remain faithful to God, even in times of hardship and judgment. Remember that God always preserves a remnant and that His promises endure.

Patristic Insight: Saint Irenaeus speaks of the remnant as the hope of future restoration: “Reliquiae spes futurae restitutionis” (The remnant is the hope of future restoration – *Against Heresies*, IV, 28, 2).

Subtopic Sections ✨

The Significance of Isaiah’s Vision:

Isaiah’s vision of God on His throne offers powerful insights into the nature of God and the prophetic calling. It also reminds us that there is no seo services that is as transformative as being in the presence of God.

• God’s Holiness: The vision emphasizes God’s absolute holiness and transcendence.
• Human Sinfulness: Isaiah’s reaction highlights the vast gulf between God’s perfection and human sinfulness.
• Divine Grace: The cleansing by the coal demonstrates God’s willingness to purify and forgive.
• Prophetic Calling: Isaiah’s response exemplifies the call to obedience and service.
• Message of Judgment and Hope: The chapter contains both a message of judgment and a promise of a remnant.

Connecting Isaiah 6 to the New Testament:

The themes in Isaiah 6 resonate throughout the New Testament.

• The Trisagion: The angelic hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” is echoed in Revelation 4:8.
• Jesus’ Ministry: Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 to explain why some reject His message (Matthew 13:14-15).
• Cleansing Power: The burning coal prefigures the purifying work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3).
• The Remnant: Paul speaks of a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5).

FAQ ❓

• Q: Why did God command Isaiah to harden the hearts of the people?

  A: God did not actively command Isaiah to harden their hearts. Rather, it was a prediction of how they would respond to his message due to their already hardened hearts. He was revealing the consequence of their spiritual condition.

• Q: What does the cleansing by the coal symbolize?

  A: The cleansing by the coal symbolizes purification from sin and the consecration of Isaiah for prophetic ministry. It prefigures the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins through repentance.

• Q: What is the significance of the “holy seed” in verse 13?

  A: The “holy seed” represents the remnant that will survive the judgment and carry the promise of God’s salvation. It symbolizes the enduring hope for renewal and restoration, a future generation rooted in faith.

• Q: How does Isaiah 6 apply to modern Christians?

  A: Isaiah 6 challenges us to recognize God’s holiness, confess our sinfulness, seek purification through God’s grace, and respond to His call with obedience and willingness. We are called to be a remnant in a world that often rejects God’s truth.

Conclusion 🕊️

Isaiah 6 provides a timeless and transformative encounter with the living God. From the throne room vision to Isaiah’s humble acceptance of his prophetic calling, the chapter paints a vivid picture of divine holiness, human frailty, and God’s unfailing grace. Understanding **Isaiah’s Call** requires us to confront our own sinfulness, seeking purification through repentance and faith. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we are called to reflect God’s holiness in our lives, to proclaim His truth to the world, and to remain faithful even in the face of adversity. The image of the remnant, the “holy seed,” reminds us that even in times of judgment, God’s promises endure, and He will always preserve a people for Himself. May we, like Isaiah, respond to God’s call with a willing heart, saying, “Here am I; send me.”

Tags

Isaiah, Coptic Orthodox, Theology, Bible Commentary, Holiness, Prophecy, Remnant, Salvation, Repentance, Divine Grace

Meta Description

A verse-by-verse Coptic Orthodox commentary on Isaiah 6, exploring Isaiah’s call, God’s holiness, and the transformative power of divine grace. Uncover profound spiritual insights for modern believers.