What Does Isaiah 6:1 Mean?

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1(KJV)

Verse of the Day

Uzziah was a great king of Judah who battled the Philistines and tore down their cities. His fame spread throughout the land even to the entrance of Egypt! He grew very strong, erected many fine cities and towers, and even built up a formidable army which comprised 307,500 mighty warriors. Indeed, king Uzziah equipped his army with shields, spears, helmets, habergeons, bows, and slings to cast stones.

But because of His fame and great success, Uzziah became proud and sinned against the Lord. He was struck down with leprosy to the day of his death - and the man who appeared to start out so well, was eventually diseased in his body, disconnected from his people, and cut off from the house of the Lord.

It was during the 52-year long reign of this mighty king of Israel, that Isaiah the prophet was given his vision concerning the terrible destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, but king Uzziah, in whom many people had placed their unfailing trust, was NOT the one to whom Israel should have turned for refuge despite his magnificent record, for his final days ended in defeat and disappointment.

And so it was that in the year that king Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the glorious vision of the Lord - high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple. It was in the year that the great king, in whom the people of Israel had depended upon to defend their city and lives - died. Yes, Uzziah had to be removed from the scene so that the only holy One of Israel, in Whom our hope should always rest, would be seen as the only One to Whom we must always turn to in times of trouble.

What an amazing contrast between the earthly king who failed his people, sinned against the Lord, and died a leper's death, and the almighty, omniscient, omnipotent God - the divine, heavenly King Whose throne is secure in heaven and Who is the Alpha and Omega of our lives.

Too many today place their trust in earthly kings and presidents, armies and elected governments, finances, physicians, and the fabric of material wealth, when the One to Whom we should always turn to for help is our Heavenly Father Who knitted us together in our mother's womb and scheduled every day of our lives, for He has promised to give us His sufficient grace in every eventuality of life, no matter what difficulties and dangers we may face.

Let us turn away from all earthly support which turns to ashes in our hands, and hold fast to our Heavenly Lord Who is today high and lifted up and seated on the right hand of the Father. For the day is coming when He will rule this world with a rod of iron, and the time is fast approaching when He will put all His enemies under His feet - and there will be a new heaven and a new earth - and He will wipe away all tears from our eyes.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, what a great and magnificent God You are. Keep me looking away from the world to Jesus Who alone is my Protector and Provider, Who died in my place, rose again, and Who is now seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. Hallelujah! In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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