Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Isaiah 63 presents a powerful and contrasting tapestry of God's character, weaving together themes of divine judgment, faithful love, and the poignant plea for mercy born from remembrance. This chapter oscillates between vivid imagery of God's wrath against his enemies and the tender recollection of his past faithfulness to his people. Understanding this duality is key to grasping the full message of Isaiah 63.
Divine Vengeance on Edom and the Nations (Isaiah 63:1-6)
The chapter opens with a striking vision of a warrior returning from battle, his garments stained crimson. This is no ordinary warrior; it is God himself, coming from Edom, specifically Bozrah, one of its capital cities, dripping with the blood of his enemies (Isaiah 63:1). Edom serves as a symbolic representation of all nations that reject God. It's significant to note that the Edomites were descendants of Esau, making them brothers to the Israelites. Yet, they demonstrated particular cruelty towards Israel during their Exodus journey (Numbers 20:14-21).
This imagery foreshadows the terrifying vengeance God will unleash at Christ's second coming. The nations are metaphorically trampled in God's winepress, crushed underfoot until their blood spatters his garments (Isaiah 63:2-6). This powerful metaphor depicts the utter destruction of those who oppose God. This echoes Revelation 14:19, which speaks of the "winepress of God's wrath."
This section serves as a stark warning. Now is the day of repentance, the time for second chances. The door of grace is open, but a day is coming when that door will be shut, and there will be no escape from God's judgment.
Remembering God's Past Faithfulness (Isaiah 63:7-10)
The focus shifts dramatically in verse 7, transitioning from the terrifying vision of judgment to a heartfelt declaration of God's steadfast love and praiseworthy acts toward the house of Israel. Isaiah leads the nation in remembering and praising God for his faithful love (Isaiah 63:7).
The prophet recalls how "the angel of his presence" saved them (Isaiah 63:9), particularly during the Exodus under Moses. This memory raises a crucial question for the exiles in Babylon: if God was so faithful in the past, why are they now suffering in exile? Isaiah answers on God's behalf: because they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10). This is a sobering reminder that even God's chosen people can forfeit his blessings through disobedience. This sentiment is echoed by Paul in Ephesians 4:30, highlighting the importance of not grieving the Holy Spirit. As a result of their rebellion, God fought against them (Isaiah 63:10).
A Plea for Mercy Based on Past Deliverance (Isaiah 63:11-19)
Despite their rebellion, Isaiah remembers God's past mercy in delivering them from Egypt and bringing them to the promised land. He recalls how God put his Holy Spirit among them, divided the waters of the Red Sea, and gave them rest (Isaiah 63:11-14). Drawing a parallel to the days of Moses, Isaiah prays on behalf of the people, pleading for God to look down from heaven and see their suffering (Isaiah 63:15). This is a direct appeal for God to act, mirroring his response to Moses in the burning bush when He declared, "I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, and I have come down to rescue them" (Exodus 3:7-8).
The people acknowledge their sinfulness, admitting that even their ancestors, Abraham and Israel (Jacob), would not recognize them in their current state (Isaiah 63:16). This is a powerful admission of how far they have strayed from God's path. They recognize they have become like Pharaoh, who hardened his heart and rejected God's demands (Exodus 8:32, 9:12). Despite repeated warnings from the prophets, they persisted in their idolatry, leading God to harden their hearts and judge them through conquering nations (Isaiah 63:17).
This chapter concludes with a poignant cry for God to rend the heavens and come down (Isaiah 63:19). The people recognize their desperate need for divine intervention. Despite their unworthiness, they cling to the hope that God's character of mercy and faithfulness will prevail.
Isaiah 63 offers a complex and nuanced portrait of God. It reminds us that while God's judgment is certain for those who reject him, his love and mercy are available to those who turn to him in repentance. The chapter serves as both a warning and an encouragement, urging us to examine our own hearts and seek God's forgiveness and restoration.
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Isaiah 63 presents a powerful and contrasting tapestry of God's character, weaving together themes of divine judgment, faithful love, and the poignant plea for mercy born from remembrance. This chapter oscillates between vivid imagery of God's wrath against his enemies and the tender recollection of his past faithfulness to his people. Understanding this duality is key to grasping the full message of Isaiah 63.
Divine Vengeance on Edom and the Nations (Isaiah 63:1-6)
The chapter opens with a striking vision of a warrior returning from battle, his garments stained crimson. This is no ordinary warrior; it is God himself, coming from Edom, specifically Bozrah, one of its capital cities, dripping with the blood of his enemies (Isaiah 63:1). Edom serves as a symbolic representation of all nations that reject God. It's significant to note that the Edomites were descendants of Esau, making them brothers to the Israelites. Yet, they demonstrated particular cruelty towards Israel during their Exodus journey (Numbers 20:14-21).
This imagery foreshadows the terrifying vengeance God will unleash at Christ's second coming. The nations are metaphorically trampled in God's winepress, crushed underfoot until their blood spatters his garments (Isaiah 63:2-6). This powerful metaphor depicts the utter destruction of those who oppose God. This echoes Revelation 14:19, which speaks of the "winepress of God's wrath."
This section serves as a stark warning. Now is the day of repentance, the time for second chances. The door of grace is open, but a day is coming when that door will be shut, and there will be no escape from God's judgment.
Remembering God's Past Faithfulness (Isaiah 63:7-10)
The focus shifts dramatically in verse 7, transitioning from the terrifying vision of judgment to a heartfelt declaration of God's steadfast love and praiseworthy acts toward the house of Israel. Isaiah leads the nation in remembering and praising God for his faithful love (Isaiah 63:7).
The prophet recalls how "the angel of his presence" saved them (Isaiah 63:9), particularly during the Exodus under Moses. This memory raises a crucial question for the exiles in Babylon: if God was so faithful in the past, why are they now suffering in exile? Isaiah answers on God's behalf: because they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10). This is a sobering reminder that even God's chosen people can forfeit his blessings through disobedience. This sentiment is echoed by Paul in Ephesians 4:30, highlighting the importance of not grieving the Holy Spirit. As a result of their rebellion, God fought against them (Isaiah 63:10).
A Plea for Mercy Based on Past Deliverance (Isaiah 63:11-19)
Despite their rebellion, Isaiah remembers God's past mercy in delivering them from Egypt and bringing them to the promised land. He recalls how God put his Holy Spirit among them, divided the waters of the Red Sea, and gave them rest (Isaiah 63:11-14). Drawing a parallel to the days of Moses, Isaiah prays on behalf of the people, pleading for God to look down from heaven and see their suffering (Isaiah 63:15). This is a direct appeal for God to act, mirroring his response to Moses in the burning bush when He declared, "I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, and I have come down to rescue them" (Exodus 3:7-8).
The people acknowledge their sinfulness, admitting that even their ancestors, Abraham and Israel (Jacob), would not recognize them in their current state (Isaiah 63:16). This is a powerful admission of how far they have strayed from God's path. They recognize they have become like Pharaoh, who hardened his heart and rejected God's demands (Exodus 8:32, 9:12). Despite repeated warnings from the prophets, they persisted in their idolatry, leading God to harden their hearts and judge them through conquering nations (Isaiah 63:17).
This chapter concludes with a poignant cry for God to rend the heavens and come down (Isaiah 63:19). The people recognize their desperate need for divine intervention. Despite their unworthiness, they cling to the hope that God's character of mercy and faithfulness will prevail.
Isaiah 63 offers a complex and nuanced portrait of God. It reminds us that while God's judgment is certain for those who reject him, his love and mercy are available to those who turn to him in repentance. The chapter serves as both a warning and an encouragement, urging us to examine our own hearts and seek God's forgiveness and restoration.