In Isaiah, chapter six, verse five, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” In full view of God’s holiness, Isaiah instantly realized his own sinfulness and uncleanness, especially with respect to his speech, as in James three, verses one through six. He also recognized the consequences of seeing God face to face, as in Exodus thirty-three, verse twenty, and was frightened. God then cleansed his mouth and heart, as in Leviticus sixteen, verse twelve, and Jeremiah one, verse nine, and made him fit to remain in His presence as a servant and prophet of the Holy One of Israel. All who approach God must have their sins forgiven and their hearts cleansed by the Holy Spirit, as in Hebrews ten, verses nineteen through twenty-two, for only God can furnish the purity that He demands.
“Woe is me!” Is the theme title. Woe is a cry from those who experience some form of suffering. All people are born in sin and are unclean and brought up in sinful places. No one likes to suffer. Many folks live the way they know how and do not understand that some of the things they say and do are sinful.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” is the start of Hosea four, verse six. As some people get older, they eventually learn the knowledge of the truth about this life. However, some elect not to follow and live the way they desire. Woe can be a form of regret. Still, there are some people, who believe and receive from God salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.