Isaiah 63:1-11

God’s Day of Vengeance and Redemption

1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.”
2 Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?
3 “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
4 It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
6 I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”

Praise and Prayer

7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior.
9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.[a]In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
11 Then his people recalled[b] the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them,

Isaiah 63:1-11 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.

Cross References 34

  • 1. S 2 Chronicles 28:17; S Isaiah 11:14
  • 2. S Genesis 36:33; Amos 1:12
  • 3. Revelation 19:13
  • 4. S Job 9:4; S Isaiah 45:24
  • 5. ver 5; Isaiah 46:13; S Isaiah 51:5; Jeremiah 42:11; Zephaniah 3:17
  • 6. S Genesis 49:11
  • 7. S Judges 6:11; S Revelation 14:20; Revelation 19:15
  • 8. S Job 40:12; S Psalms 108:13; S Isaiah 5:5
  • 9. S Isaiah 22:5
  • 10. Revelation 19:13
  • 11. S Isaiah 1:24; S Jeremiah 50:15
  • 12. S 2 Kings 14:26; S Isaiah 41:28
  • 13. S Psalms 44:3; S Psalms 98:1; S Isaiah 33:2
  • 14. Isaiah 59:16
  • 15. S Job 40:12; S Psalms 108:13
  • 16. S Isaiah 29:9; Lamentations 4:21
  • 17. S Isaiah 34:3
  • 18. S Isaiah 54:8
  • 19. S Exodus 18:9
  • 20. S Psalms 51:1; Ephesians 2:4
  • 21. S Psalms 100:3; S Isaiah 51:4
  • 22. S Exodus 14:30; S Isaiah 25:9
  • 23. S Exodus 14:19
  • 24. S Exodus 33:14
  • 25. Deuteronomy 7:7-8; S Ezra 9:9; S Isaiah 48:20
  • 26. S Deuteronomy 1:31; S Psalms 28:9
  • 27. S Deuteronomy 32:7; S Job 37:23
  • 28. S Psalms 78:17; Ezekiel 20:8; Acts 7:39-42; Psalms 78:40
  • 29. S Psalms 51:11; Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30
  • 30. Psalms 106:40; S Isaiah 10:4
  • 31. S Joshua 10:14
  • 32. S Exodus 14:22,30
  • 33. S Psalms 77:20
  • 34. S Numbers 11:17

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "Savior " 9"in their distress." / "It was no envoy or angel" / "but his own presence that saved them"
  • [b]. Or "But may he recall"
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