The phrase The Holy One of Israel appears in the prophecy of Isaiah about 24 times. The Holy One is "the King" (Isaiah 6:5). The righteous and just one is the God without equal (26:7; 40:25). He is the redeemer of his people (41:14).
Anyone approaching the Holy One must worship him with reverence and awe. The Holy One associates himself with Mount Zion. It is holy because it is his symbolic home (see 18:7; 24:23; 27:13; 56:7; 60:1–22).
The Holy One of Israel is different from all creation because he is morally perfect creator. Sinful people cannot live with him (see Isaiah 1:4). God's holiness requires ceremonial purity and moral perfection. God is like a consuming fire that removes anything not connected to his holy will (see 33:14).
Yet the Holy One of Israel reserves a small group of people for himself (Isaiah 4:2–3; 6:13). He spiritually cleanses them and promises to be with his own redeemed people (12:6; 35:8–9; 62:12; see also 49:7). He shows his holy power by helping sinful and weak humans. He saves them from the exile caused by their sin, and opening the new creation for them.
Passages for Further Study
Psalms 71:22–23; 78:41; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 6:1–5; 10:17, 20; 17:7; 29:17–24; 30:15; 41:14, 17–20; 43:1–4, 10–21; 48:17–18; 54:4–5; 55:5; 57:15; Jeremiah 50:29; 51:5; Ezekiel 39:7–8; Hosea 11:8–9; Habakkuk 3:3–6; John 6:66–69; Acts 2:27; 13:35; Revelation 16:5–7