“The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 33:14)
God is infinitely holy. There is no impurity in Him and no indifference toward sin. His holiness is not simply one quality among many but is central to the perfection of His very being. He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil,” and everything contrary to His righteous nature is despised in His sight.
Because God is holy, He is also perfectly just in His government of the world. As the supreme Governor and Judge, His judgment against sin is neither arbitrary nor excessive but rather the righteous expression of His perfect character. The Judge of all the earth always does right.
Isaiah therefore presents the holiness of God under the fearful image of devouring fire and everlasting burnings. The question, “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?” reminds sinners of the terrible reality that sinful man cannot stand before the consuming holiness of God in his own righteousness. The problem is not that God is too severe, but that sin is truly sinful and God is truly holy.[1]
His justice also demands that sin receive its proper punishment. God “will by no means clear the guilty.” His law is not an empty declaration, nor are His warnings meaningless words. His truth and faithfulness stand behind His righteous judgment. What He has declared concerning sin must certainly be fulfilled.
The same God whose holiness demands judgment is the God who, in infinite grace and love, sent His only begotten Son to save His people from their sins. God did not save sinners by setting aside His holiness or abandoning His justice. He provided salvation through His Son, the perfect Lamb of God, who bore God’s wrath for sin for us.
The cross demonstrates both the dreadful seriousness of sin and the glorious perfection of God. His justice is not compromised, His holiness is not diminished, and His mercy is magnificently revealed. God, who is a consuming fire, is also the God who sent His Son to be the propitiation for the sins of His people.
God is worthy of our worship because He is perfectly holy, righteous, true, and gracious. The redeemed will forever praise Him because in Christ He provided a salvation entirely consistent with every perfection of His glorious nature.
Contemplations:
- Adoring God For His Infinite Holiness. I adore You, Lord, because You are perfectly and infinitely holy. There is no darkness in You and no impurity can stand before Your presence. Cause me to behold Your purity with reverence and wonder and teach me to worship You as the Holy One who is worthy of all honor and praise.
- Adoring God For His Perfect Justice. I praise You because every judgment You render is righteous and true. You never judge unjustly or condemn without perfect cause. Your justice is perfect because You Yourself are the perfect standard of righteousness. So I ask You to silence every sinful thought that would question Your judgments and cause my heart to confess with joy that the Judge of all the earth always does right.
- Adoring God For Salvation Consistent With His Glory. I adore You that salvation does not require You to deny any perfection of Your nature. Your holiness remains spotless, Your justice fully satisfied, and Your truth forever established. In Jesus Christ, You provided a salvation worthy of Yourself. Teach me to see the cross through both the seriousness of my sin and the perfection of Your saving wisdom.
- Adoring God For Sending His Son. I worship You, Father, for the immeasurable love displayed in sending Your only begotten Son. I could never endure the judgment my sins deserved, but You provided the Savior who delivers from the wrath to come. Let my heart forever praise You for the grace that provided such a glorious salvation.
Prayer (Adoration):
Most holy and righteous God, I adore You for the absolute perfection of Your nature. You are holy beyond all conception, righteous in every judgment, faithful in every word, and glorious in all Your ways.
I worship You as the Judge of all the earth. Your judgments are righteous and Your condemnation of sin is just. None can stand before Your holiness on the ground of personal righteousness. Cause me to tremble before Your majesty and never to think lightly of that which Your holiness condemns.
I adore You all the more for the glory of Your grace. You did not abandon Your justice in order to save sinners. You sent Your only begotten Son, that Your people might be saved from their sins and delivered from the wrath to come.
I praise You for Jesus Christ, in whom Your holiness, justice, truth, mercy, and love are gloriously displayed.
You are the holy God, the righteous Judge, and the gracious Savior of Your people. To You alone belong glory, honor, worship, and praise forever.
Through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Heb. 12:29; Rev. 20:10; Isa. 30:30; Matt. 18:8
[1] John Owen, The Glory of the Trinity: Taken from the Works of John Owen, electronic ed., vol. 2 (Simpsonville, SC: Christian Classics Foundation, 1999), 56-57.
