Why seraphim cover their feet

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Ask Question. Asked 4 years ago. Active 1 year, 1 month ago. Viewed 14k times. In Isaiah , the Seraphim in the presence of God have six wings. NET The reason for the pair to fly is obvious. What is the significance of the wings covering the feet?

Improve this question. Frank Luke Frank Luke Two possibilities I can think of: 1 feet are dirty, and therefore unclean cf. Moses, Joshua told to remove their shoes , or 2 'feet' is here a euphemism as sometimes elsewhere in the bible, and hence 'it' needs covering. A bird's wings stem from the middle of its back side. For obvious technical reasons, they cannot be folded so as to cover both the upper face and lower feet sides of its body simultaneously.

Lastly-The Wings for Service. Whosoever, beholding God, has found need to hide his face from that Light even whilst he comes into the Light, and to veil his feet from the all-seeing Eye, will also feel impulses to go forth in His service. For the perfection of worship is neither the consciousness of my own insufficiency, nor the humble recognition of His glory, nor the great voice of praise that thrilled from those immortal lips, but it is the doing of His will in daily life.

Some people say the service of man is the service of God. But there is no possibility of error or danger in maintaining this: that the climax and crown of all worship, whether for us footsore servants upon earth, or for these winged attendants on the throne of the King in the heavens, is activity in obedience. And that is what is set before us here. Now, dear brethren, we, as Christians, have a far higher motive for service than the seraphs had.

The seraphim were winged for service even while they stood above the throne and pealed forth their thunderous praise which shook the Temple. May we not discern in that a hint of the blessed blending of two modes of worship which will be perfectly united in heaven, and which we should aim at harmonising even on earth?

Each one had six wings — For the purpose immediately mentioned. With twain he covered his face — Out of profound reverence, as being sensible of the infinite distance between God and him, so that he durst not presume to look directly upon him, and judged himself neither able nor worthy to behold the brightness of his glory. We may infer from this description of the seraphim, that they appeared in a human form: but whether that is the form they always bear, or whether it was only assumed on this occasion, cannot be determined.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary In this figurative vision, the temple is thrown open to view, even to the most holy place. The prophet, standing outside the temple, sees the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat, raised over the ark of the covenant, between the cherubim and seraphim, and the Divine glory filled the whole temple.

See God upon his throne. This vision is explained, Joh , that Isaiah now saw Christ's glory, and spake of Him, which is a full proof that our Saviour is God. In Christ Jesus, God is seated on a throne of grace; and through him the way into the holiest is laid open. See God's temple, his church on earth, filled with his glory. His train, the skirts of his robes, filled the temple, the whole world, for it is all God's temple. And yet he dwells in every contrite heart. See the blessed attendants by whom his government is served.

Above the throne stood the holy angels, called seraphim, which means burners; they burn in love to God, and zeal for his glory against sin. The seraphim showing their faces veiled, declares that they are ready to yield obedience to all God's commands, though they do not understand the secret reasons of his counsels, government, or promises.

All vain-glory, ambition, ignorance, and pride, would be done away by one view of Christ in his glory. This awful vision of the Divine Majesty overwhelmed the prophet with a sense of his own vileness. We are undone if there is not a Mediator between us and this holy God. A glimpse of heavenly glory is enough to convince us that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Nor is there a man that would dare to speak to the Lord, if he saw the justice, holiness, and majesty of God, without discerning his glorious mercy and grace in Jesus Christ.

The live coal may denote the assurance given to the prophet, of pardon, and acceptance in his work, through the atonement of Christ. Nothing is powerful to cleanse and comfort the soul, but what is taken from Christ's satisfaction and intercession. The taking away sin is necessary to our speaking with confidence and comfort, either to God in prayer, or from God in preaching; and those shall have their sin taken away who complain of it as a burden, and see themselves in danger of being undone by it.

It is great comfort to those whom God sends, that they go for God, and may therefore speak in his name, assured that he will bear them out. Barnes' Notes on the Bible Above it - Either above the throne, or above him. The Chaldee, 'The holy ministers stood on high in his presence. Rabbi Solomon says, that 'serpents are called seraphim because they burn people with the poison of their teeth,' perhaps because the idea of "heat and poison" were connected.

The word is applied to the fiery flying serpents which bit the children of Israel, and in imitation of which a brass serpent was erected on a pole by Moses. We trust Him to sustain us in His presence, remembering who He is and who we are.

That is part of what it means to worship God in spirit and truth. Teaching Series. Conference Messages. Tabletalk Magazine. Gift Certificates. Ligonier Ministries.

Supporting Ligonier. Renewing Your Mind. Dolores Smyth Crosswalk. Seraphim Angels in the Bible: 4 Things to Know 1. The Seraphim in the Bible. How Did Lucifer Fall? Today on Christianity. About Christianity.