Isaiah Chapter 63

From The Open Bible Project

63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

• (a) This prophecy is against the Idumeans and enemies who persecuted the Church, on whom God will take vengeance, and is here set forth all bloody after he has destroyed them in Bozrah, the chief city of the Idumeans: for these were their greatest enemies,and under the title of circumcision and the kindred of Abraham.
• (b) God answers them that asked this question, "Who is this?" etc. and says "You see now performed in deed the vengeance which my prophets threatened."

63:2 Why are you red in your clothing, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?

• Notice that Jesus's clothes are dipped in blood in Revelation 19:13 -KC
• (c) Another question, to which the Lord answers.

63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing.

• Notice that Jesus treads the wine press in Revelation 14:20, 19:15 -KC

63:4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

• The "day of vengeance" is also in Isaiah 34:8, 35:4, and 61:2. Jesus said in Luke 21:20-22 that the day of vengeance was fulfilled in Jerusalem's destruction. Luke 21:28 says that their redemption would take place at this event which fulfills "the year of my redeemed". -KC
• (d) Showing that when God punishes his enemies, it is for the profit and deliverance of his Church.

63:5 I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my wrath, it upheld me.

• (e) God shows that he has no need of man�s help for the deliverance of his, and though men refuse to do their duty through negligence and ingratitude, yet he himself will deliver his Church, and punish the enemies, (Isaiah 59:16).

63:6 I trod down the peoples in my anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."

• "made them drunk" can be compared to Israel in Revelation 17:2,6;18:3. -KC
• (f) I will so astonish them and make them so giddy that they will not know which way to go.

63:7 I will make mention of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh, [and] the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

• (g) The prophet speaks this to move the people to remember God�s benefits in times past, that they may be confirmed in their troubles.

63:8 For he said, "Surely, they are my people, children who will not deal falsely:" so he was their Savior.

• (h) For I chose them to be mine, that they should be holy, and not deceive my expectation.

63:9 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.

• (i) He bore their afflictions and griefs as though they had been his own.
• (k) Which was a witness of God�s presence, and this may be referred to Christ, to whom belongs the office of salvation.

63:10 But they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] himself fought against them.

63:11 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 shepherds of his flock? where is he who put his holy Spirit in the midst of them?

• (l) That is, the people of Israel being afflicted, called to mind God�s benefits, which he had bestowed on their fathers in times past.
• (m) Meaning, Moses.
• (n) That is, in Moses that he might well govern the people: some refer this giving of the spirit to the people.

63:12 who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses? who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

63:13 who led them through the depths, as a horse in the wilderness, so that they didn't stumble?

• (o) Peaceably and gentle, as a horse is led to his pasture.

63:14 As the livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of Yahweh caused them to rest; so you led your people, to make yourself a glorious name.

63:15 Look down from heaven, and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory: where are your zeal and your mighty acts? the yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me.

• (p) Having declared God�s benefits showed to their forefathers, he turned himself to God by prayer, desiring him to continue the same graces toward them.
• (q) Your great affection, which you bore for us.
• (r) Meaning, from the whole body of the Church.

63:16 For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn't know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us: you, Yahweh, are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is your name.

• (s) Though Abraham would refuse us to be his children, yet you will not refuse to be our father.

63:17 O Yahweh, why do you make us to err from your ways, and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants' sake, the tribes of your inheritance.

• (t) By taking away the Holy Spirit from us, by whom we were governed, and so for our ingratitude delivered us up to our own concupiscence, and punished sin by sin according to your just judgment.
• (u) Meaning, for the covenant�s sake made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob his servants.

63:18 Your holy people possessed [it] but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary.

• (x) That is, in respect to the promise, which is perpetual: even though they had now possessed the land of Canaan for 1400 years: and thus they lament, to move God rather to remember his covenant, than to punish their sins.

63:19 We have become as they over whom you never bear rule, as those who were not called by your name.