Mar. 29, 2020

In light of all that is going on in the world around us, I have arrived at the conclusion that we need to be, as a people, reminded of who God is. We at times have difficulty understanding the workings of the God of the universe, because we begin to try and view Him through our finite lens. I'm reminded of the allegory of a young man who asked his father, "How big is God?," to which the father thought for an answer. After a moment he said, "You see that plane way up there in the sky?" The little boy replied, "Yes." "God is like that plane. The nearer you get to Him, the bigger He is going to be."

TEXT: Isaiah 5 & 6

Study:

1.) Holy in the simplest, most basic sense, is set apart.

a. However, we must not get comfortable there. If we only define God's holiness as set apart then we might not realize the significance of God's holiness.

i. I have fishing rods that are set apart for particular usage, but they are by no means holy. If I were to drop one in the water, it is gone forever; Not even a tear is shed over it. It's not in any way Godly either. It's just one rod among many that is especially suited for a task.

ii. We are in this sense called to be holy.

1.) 1 Peter 1:16

2.) Leviticus 11:44-45

b. We must elevate the holiness of God so much higher.

i. Feel free to let your mind take flight on this subject. Just how set apart is God?

c. Jesus Himself, in His earthly body, though perfect and sinless, far more holy than any other being, did not consider Himself equal to God. (Phil. 2:5-7)

d. Jeremiah gives us some help in 10:6.

i. Their (other nations) idols are like scarecrows in cucumber fields, they do not speak, walk, do any evil or good. (10:5)

ii. They are stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood! They are beaten silver, created by man, but the LORD is the true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations can not endure his indignation.

2.) The train of his robe filled the temple.

a. A picture of His majesty.

i. The bridal gown has a long train in tradition to radiate the beauty of the bride.

ii. The temple priest would have long robes to display their ranking, the edge of these garments were typically 3-4 inches. The longer the robe, the more prestigious was the person wearing it.

3.) He is Holy, Holy, Holy!

a. Eyes covered

i. The seraphs are overtaken by His radiant glory, knowing that no created thing may look upon the fullness of the Glory of God.

b. Feet covered

i. Our feet show our relationship to where we are.

a. Moses was told to remove his sandals for he was standing on holy ground. (Exodus 3:5)

ii. The feet represent the ties to the world. Our feet are the relation to the earth and the sinfulness of our fallen bodies.

1. John 13: 8-10

c. Flying

i. One seraph crying out to another.

1. This is the heavenly chorus, an unending volley of Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of Hosts, from one side and an answer of, "The whole earth is full of His glory!" from the other.

2. All day long the praises of God throughout the heavenly city.

3. Isaiah did not enter on a rare occasion, perhaps some type of festival. This was just a glimpse into the reality of the Kingdom of God.

GOD IS THRICE HOLY!

1. Holy set apart.

a. Be holy for I am holy.

2. Holy, Holy beyond our reach.

a. Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.

i. Possessing a dirty mouth.

ii. Perhaps saying peace when there is no peace.

3. Holy, Holy, Holy; Holy to the infinitive. The utmost.

a. I am God, and there is none like me. (Isaiah 46:9)

Conclusion: How does this comfort us? By understanding that God is far greater, far stronger, far wiser, far more loving that we can understand. Holiness is not just a word to represent God. It is an adjective to every attribute God possesses.

God's love is holy.- John 15:13.

God's wisdom is holy. Deuteronomy 29:29

God's power is holy. Isaiah 46:10

God is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.