Isaiah 63:2-12

2 Why is your clothing red, and your garments like those of one who stomps on grapes?
3 I have pressed out in the vat by myself—from the peoples, no one was with me. I stomped on them in my anger, trampled them in my wrath. Their blood splashed on my garments, and stained all my clothing,
4 because I intended a day of vengeance; the year of my deliverance had arrived.
5 I looked and found no helper; I was astonished to find no supporter. But my arm brought victory for me; my wrath helped me.
6 I trampled down nations in my anger and made them drunk on my wrath; I spilled their blood on the ground.

Prayer of yearning

7 I will recount the LORD's faithful acts; I will sing the LORD's praises, because of all the LORD did for us, for God's great favor toward the house of Israel. God treated them compassionately and with deep affection.
8 God said, "Truly, they are my people, children who won't do what is wrong." God became their savior.
9 During all their distress, God also was distressed, so a messenger who served him saved them. In love and mercy God redeemed them, lifting and carrying them throughout earlier times.
10 But they rebelled, and made God's holy spirit terribly sad, so that he turned into their enemy— he fought against them!
11 Then they remembered earlier times, when he rescued his people. Where was the one who drew them up from the sea, the shepherd of the flock? Where was the one who put within them his holy spirit;
12 the one who guided Moses' strong hand with his glorious arm; who split the water for them to create an enduring reputation for himself,

Isaiah 63:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 63

This chapter contains a prophecy of the vengeance of Christ upon the enemies of his church in the latter day, whereby complete salvation would be obtained for them; and this illustrated by the mercies of God to the people of Israel of old; and is concluded with the church s prayer to him. The account of the vengeance taken by Christ on his enemies is introduced by a colloquy between him and his church; who puts a question, in which he is described by the places from whence he came, by his apparel, and by his manner of walking; to which he returns an answer, Isa 63:1, then a second question is put, about the colour of his garments; for which he gives a reason, Isa 63:2,3 it being the time of his vengeance on his enemies, and of the redemption of his people, Isa 63:4 the manner in which he performed both is observed, Isa 63:5 and the thorough work he would make; and the entire riddance of all his enemies is determined upon, Isa 63:6, which puts the prophet, or the church, in mind of former mercies bestowed upon Israel of old, the peculiar people and children of God, the Lord had a great opinion of, and favour for, whom he dealt very tenderly with, and redeemed, and saved, and preserved, Isa 63:7-9 though they acted an ungrateful part to him, which is aggravated by the various kind steps of Providence, in leading them through the Red sea, guiding them in the wilderness, and bringing them to rest safely in Canaan's land, for his own glory, Isa 63:10-14 and all is closed with the church's prayer to God, imploring his grace and mercy; pleading relation to him; expostulating with him about their present case, and observing the difference between them and their enemies, Isa 63:15-19 and which prayer is continued in the next chapter.

Footnotes 2

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