Isaiah's Vision Bible Story—Meaning and Significance
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Who Was Isaiah in the Bible?
Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet to Judah as Israel’s kingdom period declined. His father was Amoz. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and prophesied from 739-681 B.C. Isaiah’s name means, “The Lord is salvation.” The book named after him gives the most comprehensive prophetic portrait of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
Isaiah described beautiful images of a Holy God. In stark contrast, the prophet also spoke on God’s behalf about terrible judgments that would come to Israel. The nation was steeped in idolatry, disobedience, and oppression. Many of Israel’s priests and prophets rebelled against God’s covenant. Corruption reigned.
Despite Isaiah’s solemn warnings of future destruction and exile, the book of Isaiah also gives hope. He foretells of a faithful remnant, and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. Isaiah trusted God for a forthcoming king through David’s line, who would lead His people to obedience and salvation. Isaiah’s writings announced the coming of a Messiah, hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Through Him all nations of the earth would be blessed.
What Do We Know about Isaiah?
Isaiah was a prophet during the reign of four kings of Judah: Uzziah (also called Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Their reigns were approximately from 739-686 BC. He was a contemporary of Hosea and Micah, authors of other Old Testament prophetic books. The New Testament quotes Isaiah over 65 times, more than any other Old Testament prophet.
Isaiah’s call to prophecy came the year King Uzziah died.
Even though Isaiah knew from the very beginning of his ministry that he would not be understood and that his message would not be accepted, he responded willingly.
Isaiah’s easy access to the king leads us to assume he came from a family of status, perhaps even royalty.
Isaiah was married and had two sons. Both had distinctive names that symbolized something about Israel. Shearjashub ("a remnant shall return", Isaiah 7:3) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz ("hasting to the spoil, hurrying to the prey", Isaiah 8:3).
Although the exact nature of how Isaiah died is unknown, tradition has it that he died from being cut in two with a wooden saw by the wicked King Manasseh. Many scholars believe that Hebrews 11:37, in its list of persecuted prophets, refers to Isaiah.
“They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword.” (Hebrews 11:37 ESV)
What Was Isaiah’s Vision in Isaiah Chapter 6?
We are introduced to Isaiah’s vision in Chapter 6 with historical context, precision, and majesty.
“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1 ESV)
Because it was the same year King Uzziah died, the passing of this earthly king sets the stage to usher in a different type of King. Uzziah had been a great and mighty earthly king. In the beginning days of his reign, he served Judah and God well.
However, he grew arrogant in the end. In his pride, he disobeyed God. Against God’s commands, Uzziah entered the temple and burned incense. God struck him with leprosy, and King Uzziah finished his life isolated and disgraced.
Isaiah’s grand vision paints a stunning scene. He sees the King from the entrance of a door, looking into the Holy of Holies. The Lord, Sovereign Judge over all the earth, sat upon a throne, greater than any other king’s, high and majestic. The train of His robe filled the entire temple.
Heavenly creatures, Seraphim, or “burning ones,” stood above. Each had six wings. They covered their faces with two wings, their feet with two wings, and with two they flew.
“And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” (Isaiah 6:1-3 ESV)
As the chorus of Seraphim called to each other, the door posts shook, and the temple filled with smoke.
Isaiah saw the Most High God, set apart, greater than human kings. This King’s Holiness placed Him highest. The King belonged there, unparalleled, exalted above all. The vision filled Isaiah with the realization of his own fallen state.
“And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for 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!’” (Isaiah 6:5 ESV)
The Lord’s Righteous Glory contrasted with the wickedness of the nation of Israel. Isaiah recognized the depths of his own unrighteousness. An uncrossable chasm lay between him and God. It brought Isaiah to the end of himself.
His anguished cry of grief and despair, “For I am lost,” (ESV), is translated in various ways. The CSB words it, “I am ruined.” The NKJV translates it, “I am undone.” And the NET says, “I am destroyed.”
Face to face with the great holiness of God, Isaiah expected destruction. He knew an impassible gulf stretched between the King and himself. Unapproachable holiness terrified him.
The prophet understood he could never reach high enough or present himself worthy enough before such magnificent glory.
Why Did the Seraphim Touch Isaiah with a Burning Coal?
The deep conviction of Isaiah’s soul was as it should have been. Isaiah needed God to make him pure. Israel also awaited its needful and painful purification.
Here we see again the mercy of God. One of the seraphim took a burning coal from the altar with tongs, then flew with it to Isaiah.
“And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” (Isaiah 6:7 ESV)
There are many different facets of symbolism in Isaiah’s vision. The temple served as the dwelling place of God’s Presence. It housed worship and prayer. The Seraphim took the coal from the altar, a place of sacrifice and atonement.
Fire was used in the Old Testament for sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. The act of purification prefigured Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. God called Jerusalem’s eventual conquest by enemy armies a purification by fire. What was worthless among God’s people would burn. This would make way for a New Jerusalem.
God provided a means of purification for Isaiah, too. When the burning coal touched Isaiah’s lips, it removed his guilt and brought forgiveness of sin.
This act of divine intervention equipped Isaiah to proclaim God’s message through His unique commission. Isaiah’s assignment required a cleansed messenger, one able to represent God’s presence to His people.
In the vision, God asked, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8 ESV) Isaiah answered, “Here am I, Send me.”
This willing response marks the beginning of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.
Tasked with speaking to Israel about God’s future events and coming judgment, Isaiah prophesied Jerusalem’s fall and Israel’s exile. He spoke to Israel’s leaders about their disobedience and idolatry. But the people continued to harden their hearts and blatantly disobeyed.
Even though Isaiah’s warnings weren’t heeded, Isaiah faithfully obeyed his calling. He was ostracized and rejected. Yet, despite persecution and personal consequence, God gave him strength and power to accomplish his mission.
We would be very wrong to see the message of Isaiah as one of only somber warnings and consequential judgments. It is also a message of hope for the remnant of Israel. God’s messenger points ahead to Jesus, the King of Kings, a hope for all nations.
What Can We Learn from Isaiah’s Temple Vision Today?
Isaiah’s temple vision shows us that there is a disparity of position between God and us. He is High. He is Sovereign. He is Holy. We are not.
Yet this despairing darkness brings a vision of hope for us.
Isaiah’s desperate state, separated from God, is also where we find ourselves without Him. Isaiah’s need for cleansing from sin brought him the mercy and grace of forgiveness. We also need God's forgiveness for our sins. This is what Jesus came to do for us. His sacrifice on the cross bridged the gap created by our sin, offering complete forgiveness of sin and access to a Holy God. We are clothed in His righteousness when we put our trust in Him for salvation.
It is in total surrender that we glimpse the High and Holy King. Here we experience true worship.
Purification from sin, a core aspect of the vision, relates to our relationship and walk with God. Through Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, we can live daily in His presence.
The events of Isaiah 6, over 700 years before Christ’s birth, paved the way for the proclamation of a Messiah, who was born of a virgin, lived as a Suffering Servant, and gave His life for us. Not only does the book of Isaiah give hope of redemption for God’s people, but for all who believe in Jesus.
Isaiah’s temple vision teaches us that God is Sovereign. He is higher than any other and greater than earthly kings. He reigns throughout time and eternity. His plans are right and good. They weave throughout the events of history and our lives to accomplish His glory.
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
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