In the year that King Uzziah died
The context of Isaiah 6:1 is a perfect reminder to entrust your faith solely in God.
Isaiah 6 begins with a profound statement that ought not be overlooked. “In the year that King Uzziah died,” provides the context for the entire chapter.
Who is King Uzziah?
Uzziah became king at 16 years old and ruled for 52 years. He is described in 2 Chronicles 26 and 2 Kings 15 as a capable king, a skilled military leader, and a king who did what was right in the sight of God, a trait he must have learned from his father, Amaziah, and passed down to his son, Jotham. Although virtuous, Uzziah's pride was his downfall. He forgot his place in God’s kingdom resulting in God afflicting him with leprosy and being secluded from the public until his passing.
For Isaiah, King Uzziah's death caused him personal discouragement and possible mental turmoil. Isaiah was burdened for the Jewish people and yearned for their return to the covenant between Israel and the Lord—where “You will be My people, and I will be your God.” Isaiah saw hope for such revival in King Uzziah who, it could be argued, was reminiscent of King David. Yet Uzziah spiritual failure caused him to fall short of Isaiah’s expectations.
Faith in people is misguided
Observe enough people, and a law of human nature will become apparent; no one is infallible. The Bible makes this law extremely clear.
Romans 3:10-12:
“There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.”
Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
1 John 1:8-10:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
Unwavering hope in any individual, irrespective of their esteemed reputation, character, or integrity, is misguided. Even the most revered individuals have shortcomings. No person is exempt from flaws; infallibility remains an exclusive attribute of God alone.
The lesson is best summarized in Psalm 118:8,
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humanity. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in nobles.”
Placing excessive faith in anyone inevitably leads to disappointment. Imperfection is inherent in every person, reinforcing that genuine faith should be anchored solely in God. People fail and make mistakes. God does not, because God is holy and perfect.
It's reasonable to hope for someone to attempt to become their best self and adopt a life guided by moral principles and Biblical holiness. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that no one can consistently meet such high standards every single day for their entire life. Expecting perfection from others inevitably leads to disappointment when they falter or make mistakes. This reality even holds true for you and me as well, although that topic may have its own post at a later time.