Seraphim

4/17/24 

We are almost at the top of the angelic ladder where we encounter spiritual beings that service the Holy, Uncreated One.  As such, we see their names in scripture less frequently, I believe because they minister to God and not to mankind.  The angels we see most often in the scriptures are those closest to humanity; that attend to people.

The section of scripture that talks of the seraphim is Isaiah 6:1-7.  These are the highest order of His Host and serve as guardians or attendants before God’s throne.  This is the only Bible verse where they are referenced.  They praise God, calling, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory!” 

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.  And one cried to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.  So, I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone!  Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.  And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”  Isaiah 6:1-7.

What’s interesting to note about seraphim is that they have six wings.  Two of their wings cover their faces, two cover their feet and the other two are for flying.  This gives us an interesting picture, as they have hands and feet like we do.  Since we are made in the image of God, and because a little lower than angels, perhaps the seraphim are also made in the image of God!  Interesting thought, anyway.

“On the last day of creation, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Thus, He finished His work with a “personal touch.” God formed Adam from the dust and gave him life by sharing His own breath (Genesis 2:7). Accordingly, humanity is unique among all God’s creations, having both a material body and an immaterial soul/spirit.” What does it mean that humanity is made in the image of God.org

You have made him a little lower than the angels… Hebrews 2:7.

It is the seraphim's job to proclaim the holiness and glory of God as seen in Isaiah 6:3. Notice also, when they speak, the house is shaken, and filled with smoke, which indicates a source of power given to them from the Lord of Hosts.  And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. Vs 4.

In addition, the Lord has given them the ability to heal and purge in anointing and preparing the prophet for service.  Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.  And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”  Isaiah 6:6-7.  We see how their name represents an attribute of God, burning and purging as the seraphim did to Isaiah. 

“The name seraph means “burning one” or “shining one” (reminding us again that God makes his angels “flames of fire”—Psalm 104:4, Hebrews 1:7).  The seraphim dwell so close to the presence of God that they burn with holy brilliance.”  Jeremiah, David. Angels: Who They Are and How They Help--What the Bible Reveals.

Just as Isaiah said he is undone by what he has seen, we too, would be so undone that we would be no earthly good.  I could imagine all I would want to do is to be with the Lord and not finish His work on earth.  If we were given too much information or shown many heavenly things, we would not be long for this world!  We would desire to be with the Lord in His glory!  Again, another reason why we are not given the full scoop on the highest of the angelic order.  Sing with me:

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.  Philippians 3:8.