In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts [Sabbaoth], the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:1–3)

Uzziah had not learned that the God of Israel, Yahweh, was holy, and that He was the one who sets the terms for approaching Him. Uzziah was king of Judah during the split-kingdom era. Though he was a descendant of the “God’s-heart” King David, he became arrogant and presumed upon God’s holiness. He had earthly power and now he wanted spiritual power too, so he attempted to do what God had authorized only the priests to do: enter the temple to burn incense. Who on earth could oppose this king, who commanded the hosts (armies) of Israel?

But Uzziah’s presumptuous actions transgressed an authority far greater than his own. (2 Chron 26:16-23). When he raged against the priests for resisting his self-acclaimed prerogative, God plagued him with the dreaded leprosy, and he was saddled with the social stigma until his death. Despite his arrogance and earthly power, his memorial was simply, “He is a leper,” and he lived out his days in isolation (2 Chron 26:21-23).

Notice that our passage begins, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death” (Isaiah 6:1). The unholy Uzziah died, and the vision of a thrice-holy Yahweh of Hosts is revealed. He who was a leper versus He who is absolutely holy; he who was untouchable because of his contagion of sin versus He who is unapproachable because of His perfection. An earthly king in command of Judah’s armies versus the LORD of celestial armies, Yahweh of Hosts. He who would presume to take over the temple versus He who dwelt in the temple. He who was rebuffed by the priestly attendants versus He who was worshipped and adored by the angelic attendants. What a contrast, indeed.

The LORD Sabbaoth is “lofty and exalted” sitting on a throne, His authority unmitigated and unchallenged. “The train of His robe [filled] the temple”—no unholy feet could possibly stand in His presence, for that would be holy ground. Godly men, unlike Uzziah, shrink back from presuming upon God’s holiness. Moses, when confronted with God in the burning bush, was told, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Ex 3:5).

Lord, You are holy; I often live an unholy life. How can I ever approach You?