In the 2003 movie Bruce Almighty, a man who is frustrated with God finally gets to meet him. After hearing this news Bruce’s mood goes from sarcastic, to frustrated, to frightened at the power and knowledge of God: https://youtu.be/bjAM2J_D4UY.
Isaiah was a prophet who experienced that same awe and fear when he came before God’s throne in a vision. He tells us he “saw the Lord siting upon a throne” and his robe filed the entire temple (Isaiah 6:1). Isaiah then goes on to describe angelic voices that declare God’s holiness and majesty, shaking the foundations of the house (vv. 2–4). Isaiah reacted to this moment by saying, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of people with unclean lips” (v. 5). After Isaiah proclaims his brokenness, sin, and fear, an angel takes a burning coal from the altar and touches Isaiah’s lips, saying, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin is atoned for” (vv. 6–7). Isaiah’s response shows the fear of the Lord. He knows that the one he is in the midst of is holy, mighty, powerful. God isn’t just another king that has some power. God is the Creator of the universe. True worship reflects on our brokenness in comparison to his completeness.
