Isaiah 6:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why focus on the mouth? Because it serves as the introduction to the sacraments. What do we, as believers, affirm? This sacrament represents the forgiveness of sins. And the cherub declares, “Behold, I have taken away thy sins.” Do you see the imagery? Can you perceive how the truth radiates? Let us continuously honor Him who is enthroned in glory. We should also express gratitude for the wayward soul, which was captured by the wolf yet rescued by the shepherd, taken by the devil but redeemed by the Man, so that every mouth that speaks heresy and every blasphemous tongue might glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul speaks about the holy angels as ministering spirits who are sent to assist those who seek to inherit salvation, as stated in Hebrews 1:14. This concept is quite clear; all the heavenly beings are arranged in divine order, with designated roles of honor and service apportioned to them by God, who distributes all things according to His will. Nevertheless, they share a common purpose and delight in serving the Lord's plans, viewing their work as a source of honor and glory rather than as a burden. The mystery of Christ is revealed to the prophet and is brilliantly upheld by the angelic choirs. One Seraph was sent to take a coal from the altar with tongs.

To illustrate that the heavenly fire does not consume but rather refines, he held it in his hand and brought it to his lips. This fire, present at the mercy seat, was one with the fire that Moses observed, enveloping the bush without incinerating the mercy seat. The mites may symbolize the inclination within every individual, as he attains his own goodness, to receive the blessings of the Lord. It is important to recognize that this message was directed not only to Isaiah but to all who are moved by the inspired and authentic Word, which eradicates what is contrary to God's law and purifies from sinful deeds. Let us embrace the arrival of the Word of God, that it may rest upon our lips to cleanse them and remove our transgressions. It is fitting that the burning coal is understood in relation to the essence of the Word, as affirmed by the Psalmist who declares: Thy word is kindled with fire, and Thy servant shall love it (Psalm 118:140).

The angel came to the altar bearing iron tongs, addressing Hosea's disrespect and illustrating that the altar is the sole place for sanctification. In a profound way, the charcoal symbolizes Immanuel, who, when joined with the flesh we possess, will be lifted alongside it as if held by tongs. By applying the burning coal to the lips of the prophet, who stood in for all humanity, it purified him from sin and defilement.

And He touched my mouth, saying, "Behold, I have touched your mouth with this, your guilt is removed, and your sins are purged away." Thus, Scripture reveals the nature of God: the coals were ignited by Him (Psalm 17:9), and concerning the Lord, it is stated that He is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29). In the Gospel, the Saviour declares, "I came to cast fire upon the earth" (Luke 12:49), and to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). For anyone who is tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13) will receive salvation as if they had passed through flames (1 Corinthians 8:15).

Whoever you are that questions the divinity of the Holy Spirit, let me ask you this: can an angel offer forgiveness for sins, or can an archangel? The answer is a resounding no; only the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit possess that authority. Anyone can refrain from committing acts that they have the power to forgive. Some may reference the seraphim's message to Isaiah, declaring, “Behold, this has touched your lips, and your iniquity will be removed from you, and your sin will be cleansed.” However, the original prophet states that it shall remove and cleanse—not merely “cleanse.” This refers to the divine fire from the altar of God, which symbolizes spiritual grace. What could we possibly envision on God's altar, if not the grace of the Spirit?

The Seraphim are the celestial beings of the Holy Spirit, whose profound closeness to the Divine ignites an unmatched love for their Creator. Their name signifies those who burn with fervor. They exist in such unity with God that no other intermediary spirits stand between them and the Almighty; thus, their ardor intensifies as they behold Him more directly. Their affection for God is reminiscent of a fire, as their vision of His divine glory fuels their passion for Him. The ancient and esteemed Father Dionysius the Areopagite explains that the lower choirs of Angels are dispatched, either visibly or invisibly, to engage in ministry, particularly as Angels and Archangels are sent to provide comfort to humanity.

Let us turn back from all the desires of our hearts and recognize our distress in this mortal existence. May we express our sorrowful confessions over the impurity of our speech, so that one of the seraphs, using the instruments of the sacred law, might bring to us the fiery blessings of the holy sacrament bestowed from the celestial altar. Let this seraph touch our lips, leading us towards liberation from wickedness and cleansing from our transgressions, igniting our words with the fervor of sincere repentance, transforming them into expressions of life rather than of illness. We seek that this coal's fervor may penetrate our hearts, allowing us to experience not only with our lips the delightful essence of the sacrament but with our entire being, both senses and intellect, the fullness it offers.

Isaiah expresses his despair over the impurity of his speech, feeling unfit to honor the Lord. In a transformative moment, his unclean lips are purified when one of the seraphim touches them with a live coal taken from the altar of incense, which represents the heavenly temple. This altar serves as a reflection of the one found in Solomon’s earthly temple, situated before the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place. In this context, the live coal symbolizes God's grace, which purifies sin and removes wickedness not only from the mouth but also from the heart, the very source of outward transgressions.