Isaiah 6:1-4
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
Did you spot what is missing from this description? Isaiah starts by telling us that he sees God, but he is clearly unable to find words that do him justice. Instead he tells us of mighty angelic beings, the seraphim – even they can’t look, and cover their eyes. Their response is so forceful that they cause the earth to quake. Smoke fills the temple. Is this the Holy Spirit? Is this incense? Either way, smoke obscure the view and accentuates the glory, mystery and otherness of God.
You are holy, holy, holy Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of your glory!
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