Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 63

Verses 1-6

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 63

THE DAY OF GOD’S VENGEANCE

In the first six verses of this chapter is found the culmination of such judgment as has long been foretold in other parts of the prophets. Even Moses testified of the Lord’s coming from Sinai, ’ Sier and Mt Paran, with ten thousands of His saints to rule in judgment (Deuteronomy 33:1-2). In the book of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:3) is a similar allusion to God’s coming "from Teman" (or the South) "and the Holy One from Mt Paran". A comparison of many passages suggests considerable activity in "the wilderness" - where the Theocratic rule is re-inaugurated before the Lord marches forth with His saints to face the international confederation of armies in a mighty slaughter at Bozrah, in Edom, (Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah 32:15-16; Isaiah 35:6; Jeremiah 31:2; Ezekiel 20:35-36; Hosea 2:14).

Determined to destroy the people of the covenant, the hosts of wickedness encamp against Jerusalem itself - deterred from the final stroke of destruction only by a perplexing report of activity in Edom. Thus, they are turned aside to face Christ, the Mighty Conqueror, at Bozrah, where He tramples them in His fury, and proceeds forward to the Mt of Olives (Zechariah 14:3-9) and to the raising up of the throne of David, in Jerusalem - from whence He will rule with absolute authority for one thousand glorious years.

Mention is made (in the above-mentioned references, and others) of the Kings’ route from Mt Sinai to Jerusalem: Paran, the wilderness, Mt Seir, Edom, Teman, Bozrah, etc., northward.

Vs. 1-6: DELIVERANCE THROUGH DIVINE JUDGMENT

1. Isaiah inquires concerning the identity of the One Whom he sees coming from Edom (specifically from Bozrah) in crimson garments: gloriously arrayed, He marches in stately majesty -manifesting the greatness of His strength.

2. For answer, the Mighty Conqueror identifies Himself as the One who SPEAKS in righteousness - mighty to save.

a. Here it is important to consider "the voice of the Lord" as a voice of universal authority and power, by which Gentile nations will be overthrown and Messiah’s kingdom established, (Psalms 2:5; Psalms 29:1-11).

b. The sword of the Lord, with which He executes righteous judgment, proceeds out of His mouth, (Revelation 19:21).

3. The prophet then asks why He wears crimson garments - -is one who treads the winefat.

4. To this the majestic person declares that He HAS INDEED trodden the winefat ALONE, (vs. 3-4).

a. In wrath and fierce anger He tramples upon the nations -sprinkling, and staining His garments with the blood of their strength.

b. The "day of vengeance" is in His heart (Isaiah 34:8; Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 61:2 b); this is essential to "the year of redemption" that He has come to arrange for His beloved people.

c. Vine has an interesting comment on the geography of Psalms 29, which I think appropriate to submit at this point. He sees the overthrow of the Gentile nations as beginning in Lebanon (vs. 5-6) and sweeping down to the wilderness of Kadesh (vs. 8), the center of which is Bozrah (Numbers 13:26), in swift and complete destruction. Then he adds: "The distance from Sirion in Lebanon to Bozrah in Edom is 200 miles, or 100 furlongs" (with which compare; Revelation 14:17-20; Revelation 19:15; Joel 3:9-16).

5. The ultimate deliverance of His people is effected by the Lord’s direct judgment upon His enemies and theirs.

a. Though He looked, He found none of the nations willing, or able, to set His people free.

b. Thus, though normally working through His providences, He directly intervenes at this point - trampling the enemy in the fury of His wrath, and establishing His own righteous rule upon the earth.

Verses 7-14

Vs. 7-14: A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW

1. In verses 7-9 Isaiah praises the faithfullness of Jehovah in identifying Himself with His covenant people, and for sustaining them from ancient times.

a. He recalls the loving-kindness (Isaiah 54:8-10; Psalms 25:6; Psalms 25:10; Psalms 40:11; Psalms 92:1-2), great goodness (1 Kings 8:56; Nehemiah 9:24-25; Nehemiah 9:35), and constant mercy (Nehemiah 9:19; Nehemiah 9:27-28; Psalms 51:1; Psalms 86:5; Psalms 86:15; La 3:22; Daniel 9:9; Daniel 9:18; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 12:1) of the Lord toward His people - all illustrating the incredible love that He manifested toward them!

b. Having acknowledged Israel as His own people (Exodus 6:6-7; Isaiah 3:15; Isaiah 51:4). He might well expect them to deal faithfully with Him (Isaiah 51:7; Psalms 37:30-31); He was their constant Deliverer (vs. 8; Isaiah 60:16; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 43:11; Isaiah 45:15; Isaiah 45:21).

c. Bearing their afflictions (Judges 20:16; Judges 2:18; comp. Hebrews 12:5-11; La 3:33), the "angel of His presence" (the form in which He appeared to them in Old Testament times) saved them from destruction at the hands of their enemies, (vs. 9a; Exodus 23:20; Exodus 23:23; Exodus 32:34; Exodus 33:2; Exodus 33:14-15).

d. In loving sympathy, He redeemed them, lifted them up, and carried them through all the days of old, (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Deuteronomy 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:10-12; Deuteronomy 32:19-25; Isaiah 43:1-2; Isaiah 46:3-4).

2. When they rebelled (Psalms 78:40-41; Psalms 106:33), and grieved the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; Psalms 51:11), the Lord .became the antagonist of His erring people, and fought against them, (vs. 10; Judges 2:14; Psalms 78:59-64; Psalms 106:40).

3. Then the nation recalls the blessedness of ancient days - when Moses, under the Lord’s direction, faithfully led their fathers from bondage and affliction into rest; they finally come to recognize that their own sin has separated them from the manifested presence and protection of the Lord, (vs. 11-14a).

4. Here Isaiah addresses the Lord directly - recalling His goodness toward His ancient people, and reminding Him of the glorious name He has made for Himself by His faithful guidance and sustenance, (vs. 14b).

Verses 15-19

Vs. 15-19: SUPPLICATION

1. Here is an appeal to God as the Father of Israel, (vs. 15-16); it is the cry (evidently of a faithful remnant) out of deep distress - as the cry of one who feels forsaken, (comp. Psalms 85:5-7).

a. He is urged to look down, from His holy and glorious habitation, and behold the straits of His people, (Deuteronomy 26:15; Psalms 80:14).

b. Where is the manifestation of His zeal and power, His sympathy and compassion, toward the present needs of His heritage? (Isaiah 26:11; Isaiah 37:32; Jeremiah 31:20; Hosea 11:8).

c. They claim God as their Father - though Abraham does not know them, and Israel fails to recognize them, (Isaiah 1:2; Isaiah 64:8; Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 51:2).

d. From of old He has been their Lord, Father and Redeemer, (Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 44:6-8; Isaiah 60:16).

2. The last section is a plea for the Lord to RETURN for the salvation of His helpless people, (vs. 17-19).

a. They recognize that, because of their own rebellion, God has given the nation over to a reprobate mind, (vs. 17a; Isaiah 6:9-10; Romans 1:28; comp. Exodus 7:13; Exodus 8:19; Exodus 8:32; Exodus 9:7; Exodus 9:12).

b. But there is, in Israel, a remnant "according to the election of grace" (Romans 11:5); it is for their sake that the Lord is asked to intervene according to his great mercy, (vs. 17b; Psalms 90:13-17) - a plea that will be fulfilled by Jesus Christ as "the Consolation of Israel", (Luke 2:25; Luke 2:38).

c. The holy people possessed the land of inheritance but a very short time - their enemies treading down the sanctuary of the Most High, (vs. 18; Isaiah 64:10-11; Psalms 74:6-8).

d. Since the adversary has never accepted the Lord’s rule, or been called by His holy name; the holy remnant ask Him to recognize them as His own, and to come to their deliverance! (vs. 19; comp. Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 9:26; Deuteronomy 9:29; Psalms 2:8; Isaiah 65:9; Psalms 94:14, etc.).

e. When the Lord answers they will heartily proclaim: "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord"! (Matthew 23:39).