Isaiah 63

Isaiah 63 describes the coming judgment on the nations, particularly Edom, and the vindication of God's people. It presents a vision of the Messiah as a warrior coming from Edom, stained with the blood of His enemies, symbolizing divine retribution. The chapter also reflects on God's mercy toward Israel, recounting His past deliverance and lamenting their rebellion. The chapter concludes with a plea for God to once again intervene and restore His people.

Isaiah 63:1 (NKJV)
1 Who is this who comes from Edom,
With dyed garments from Bozrah,
This One who is glorious in His apparel,
Traveling in the greatness of His strength?—
"I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

The imagery here presents a figure coming from Edom, specifically from Bozrah, with garments stained as if from battle. This is a picture of the Lord as a warrior who has brought judgment upon the enemies of His people. His strength and righteousness emphasize His role as the ultimate deliverer.

Isaiah 63:2-3 (NKJV)
2 Why is Your apparel red,
And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
3 "I have trodden the winepress alone,
And from the peoples no one was with Me.
For I have trodden them in My anger,
And trampled them in My fury;
Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments,
And I have stained all My robes."

The Lord responds by explaining that His garments are stained with the blood of His enemies. This description of treading the winepress alone symbolizes His execution of judgment upon the nations. No one else shares in this work, indicating that salvation and judgment are uniquely within God’s authority.

Isaiah 63:4-6 (NKJV)
4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart,
And the year of My redeemed has come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help,
And I wondered that there was no one to uphold;
Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me;
And My own fury, it sustained Me.
6 I have trodden down the peoples in My anger,
Made them drunk in My fury,
And brought down their strength to the earth."

God declares that the time for vengeance has arrived, alongside the time for redemption. Seeing no one capable of helping, He executes judgment by His own power. This emphasizes God’s sovereignty in judgment and salvation, as He alone can deliver His people and subdue their enemies.

Isaiah 63:7-10 (NKJV)
7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord
And the praises of the Lord,
According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies,
According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
8 For He said, "Surely they are My people,
Children who will not lie."
So He became their Savior.
9 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 bore them and carried them
All the days of old.
10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit;
So He turned Himself against them as an enemy,
And He fought against them.

The tone shifts as the prophet recalls God’s past mercies and His faithfulness to Israel. God’s love and care for His people are highlighted, especially in how He was personally involved in their deliverance. Yet, despite this, Israel rebelled and grieved His Spirit, resulting in God turning against them, showing the consequences of disobedience.

Isaiah 63:11-14 (NKJV)
11 Then he remembered the days of old,
Moses and his people, saying:
"Where is He who brought them up out of the sea
With the shepherd of His flock?
Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them,
12 Who led them by the right hand of Moses,
With His glorious arm,
Dividing the water before them
To make for Himself an everlasting name,
13 Who led them through the deep,
As a horse in the wilderness,
That they might not stumble?"
14 As a beast goes down into the valley,
And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest,
So You lead Your people,
To make Yourself a glorious name.

The prophet reflects on God’s mighty works in the past, specifically recalling the Exodus and how God led Israel through Moses. These memories serve as a reminder of God’s power and guidance. The question “Where is He?” expresses a longing for God to intervene once again as He did in the past.

Isaiah 63:15-19 (NKJV)
15 Look down from heaven,
And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious.
Where are Your zeal and Your strength,
The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me?
Are they restrained?
16 Doubtless You are our Father,
Though Abraham was ignorant of us,
And Israel does not acknowledge us.
You, O Lord, are our Father;
Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.
17 O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways,
And hardened our heart from Your fear?
Return for Your servants' sake,
The tribes of Your inheritance.
18 Your holy people have possessed it but a little while;
Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those of old, over whom You never ruled,
Those who were never called by Your name.

The chapter ends with a prayer for God to intervene. The prophet pleads for God to look down from heaven and show His mercy. Despite their unfaithfulness, Israel recognizes God as their Father and Redeemer. There is a lament over the destruction of the sanctuary and a cry for God to return and restore His people, acknowledging their deep need for His mercy and intervention.