The judgment of previous chapters gives way to a revelation of the God of holiness, in chapters 6-12. Here is hope for those who remained faithful, and a promise of future for His people.

v1: King Uzziah died; here was a king who had started well, but his prosperity made him proud; he dishonoured the temple by offering incense himself. But here too we see the transitoriness, as well as the fallibility, of human authority; in contrast is the eternal God, ever occupying His throne. Isaiah saw the glory of Jesus Christ; see John 12.39-41.

v2: Four wings covered each seraph, hiding their eyes from the holy God, "woe is me" (v5); with two wings they flew, involved in serving God, "send me" (v8).

v3-4: The view of the holiness and majesty of God; even the heavens are not pure in His sight.

"Holy" is used to describe God first; it means 'set apart,' and infers a belonging to another, and a separation from certain things. The vision of God's holiness puts other things into perspective. Holiness is the only attribute of God mentioned in this threefold way; this seems to be the essential attribute of God, before His mercy and faithfulness, etc.

When Moses met God, Ex 3.5-6, it was His holiness that was emphasised. There was a different threefold description, "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." In the N.T. God is known in three ways, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Significantly, Jesus Christ is described as the Holy One of God, Mark 1.23-24.

Through His holiness, the whole earth, and more, is filled with His glory. No wonder the very temple was shaken, Acts 4.31.

v5: In response to this vision, Isaiah saw his own sinfulness; as we see the mighty God and King, we begin to see ourselves as we really are. Instead of pronouncing "woe" upon the people (chapter 5), the prophet speaks only "woe is me." As we draw near, the light is brighter, and our sins and frailties more evident.

v6-7: Isaiah's specific confession, "I am a man of unclean lips" was followed by specific cleansing, as the coal was touched on his lips, and his iniquity taken away. This seems especially appropriate for a prophet, whose work was to speak of God.

Since God is holy, He commands His people to be holy; and He works holiness in us through His Holy Spirit; 1 Thess 4.3; 1 Pet 1.15-16. We must be holy, not in some spasmodic way, but in consistent lifestyle.

Our worship of God should also reflect God's holiness; Ps 40.3; Eccl 5.1-2; Is 25.1.

v8: Isaiah was already in the correct place to hear the voice of God; he was in His presence. His cleansing preceded his commission.

v9-10: See 5.24; Ezek 2.7; the commission to go to a rebellious people. No prophet was ever sent to a faithful people, and rejection of the message was the normal expectation. For many the message actually confirmed many in their rebellion, as they refused to repent. It is striking that the Lord refers to "this people," not 'my people.' It is as if they had become strangers to Him.

v11-13: Destruction would follow; the land without inhabitant, without a man, utterly forsaken. Even the remnant, the final tenth, would be consumed. Only the stump in the ground, the very last part, would be the holy seed, see Ezek 5.3. Yet this is the faithfulness of God, honouring the glory of His Name amongst His people, even though numerically they were small.