In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two, he covered his face; with two, he covered his feet; and with two, he flew. (Isaiah 6:1-2)
In this passage, the Seraphim are seen in close proximity to God, emphasising their role as the highest order of angels.
The etymology of the term "seraph" (Hebrew: שָׂרָף) can be traced to the word "saraph," which means "to burn" or "to consume with fire." This connection highlights the Seraphim's fiery nature and further indicates their purity and closeness to God.
They are seen surrounding the throne of God and exclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy” in Isaiah 6:3. Their assignment is to praise, proclaim, and protect the perfect holiness of God.
Seraph - Singular
Seraphim – Plural
Seraphim means many – we don’t know how many were there. There is no record as to where seraphim fly, but they have never been seen on Earth.
The Seraphim are characterised by their six wings, which serve various purposes. According to Isaiah 6:2, they use two wings to cover their faces, shielding themselves from the direct gaze of God's divine glory. With another two wings, they cover their feet as an act of humility and submission. Finally, the last pair of wings enable them to fly, symbolising their ability to serve God swiftly and efficiently.
The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship scene surrounding God's throne, in which "four living creatures" are continuously praising God. While these creatures are not explicitly identified as Seraphim, their ceaseless worship and proximity to the throne parallel the role of Seraphim in Isaiah's vision:
"Day and night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'" (Revelation 4:8, NIV)
Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8)
How fascinating it is that the God of unparalleled majesty, boundless sovereignty, and infinite power seeks out volunteers! With ease, He could design robots to carry out His work or command the celestial angels to fulfil His desires. Yet, the Lord yearns for devoted, surrendered disciples who willingly offer themselves in His service. God will never force anyone to serve Him. Always remember, our Creator passionately searches for enthusiastic, voluntary hearts to serve His divine purpose.
Chapters