The One upon whom Isaiah gazed

I mention this because it is sometimes difficult for people to see the continuity in which the Triune God communicates with man throughout the Scriptures. The plans and purposes of God originate within the mind of the Father. The speech and image of the Father are expressed in the Son, who is the Word. The power with which the Word is spoken and the means by which that Word is brought to bear on the human heart is the Spirit. The Scriptures continuously speak in this manner.

The example I bring to the reader's attention is that of the prophet in Isaiah 6:1-6. Isaiah sees a vision of the Lord of hosts sitting upon his throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the heavenly temple. Above him stood the seraphim, resounding with, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts..." Isaiah is stunned by the vision of such glory, at a complete loss as a sinner standing before the holy God. Isaiah proclaims the One who sits upon the throne to be the King, the LORD of hosts.

Here is the issue with continuity - can mere man look upon the invisible Father who dwells in unapproachable light (see Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 6:16)? This would seem incongruent with Scripture. John clarifies in his gospel account by quoting Isaiah from this same scene in ch. 6. John then explains why Isaiah said these things - "Isaiah said these things because he saw his [Jesus'] glory and spoke of him" (Jn 12:41). The exalted Lord that Isaiah looked upon in his vision in the year that King Uzziah died was the Son in his preincarnate glory, the image and radiance of the Father. Before the Son became flesh and dwelt among men, he was sitting upon the throne in heaven.

What does this tell us? It tells us that the Father has seen in fitting to express himself in the image of his Son to man (Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:15). The voice of the Father is enunciated by the Word, who is also the Son (John 1:1-2). The Son therefore grants access to the image and mind of the Father.

SDG