Seraphim: The Burning Ones

The word "Seraphim" is derived from the Hebrew word "saraph" which means "to burn". These divine beings are said to be the closest to God and have been described in numerous biblical texts. Prophet Isaiah tells us that the Seraphim are six-winged angels who dwell above God's throne and are responsible for offering worship and adoration to Him.

In his vision, Isaiah sees them calling out to each other, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3). This repetition of the word "holy" three times shows the intensity of their reverence for God's holiness and purity. It is in this encounter that Isaiah also recognizes his own sinfulness and implores God's mercy.

God's holiness is also alluded to in Revelation 4:8, where John describes the Seraphim as the ones who never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!".

The Bible also provides various accounts of the Seraphim's activity and characteristics. In Jeremiah 7:4, we see their intense confidence in their own worship, "Do not trust in these deceptive words: 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.'" This implies that their worship is genuine and comes from a place of deep reverence and awe.

Furthermore, Ezekiel 21:27 mentions how the Seraphim cry to one another, "Sharpen the arrow! Open the quiver! Let the Lord see the weapon!" This can be interpreted as them being ready to execute God's judgment and carry out His will.

Even in moments of intense emotion, the Seraphim remain in perfect submission to God. In 2 Samuel 18:33, we read how David grieved over the death of his son Absalom and cried out to God. The Seraphim who were present acknowledged David's pain but reminded him of his need to submit to God's will.

The Seraphim's devotion to God is not limited to the Old Testament. In Acts 2:26, Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11, "Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption." This verse prophecies about Christ's resurrection and ascension, and it is believed that the Seraphim were the angels around the throne crying, "Holy, holy, holy" when Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 13:33-35).

The concept of God's unchanging nature is also attributed to the Seraphim. In Malachi 3:6, God says, "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." This reaffirms the Seraphim's devotion to His eternal nature, and their unwavering commitment to worship Him.

Similarly, Hebrews 13:8 affirms that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, while James 1:17 states that there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with Him. These verses parallel the Seraphim's devotion to the unchanging nature of God.

But even with their close proximity to God, the Seraphim are not immune to His glory. In Exodus 33:20, God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live. This suggests that even the Seraphim's proximity to God demands their reverence and respect.

In conclusion, the Seraphim are a beautiful representation of what it means to be in awe of God's holiness and unchanging nature. They are not just angelic beings, but rather examples of devotion and submission to God's will. Their lives and actions glorify God, and they remind us to continually worship Him with reverence and respect.