Isaiah63

The chapter opens with a dramatic vision of the Lord returning from Edom, His garments stained red from treading the winepress of divine wrath against His adversaries. This act of solitary vengeance is contrasted with a remembrance of God's enduring lovingkindness and past salvation towards Israel, despite their rebellion. The chapter concludes with a lament from the people, appealing to God's fatherhood and mercy, questioning His apparent restraint and the desolation of their sanctuary.

The Divine Warrior and Vengeance

1
Who is this, coming from Edom, from Botzrah with clothing stained crimson, so magnificently dressed, so stately in his great strength? "It is I, who speak victoriously, I, well able to save." ​
2
Why is your apparel red, your clothes like someone treading a winepress?
3
"I have trodden the winepress alone; from the peoples, not one was with me. So I trod them in my anger, trampled them in my fury; so their lifeblood spurted out on my clothing, and I have stained all my garments; ​
4
for the day of vengeance that was in my heart and my year of redemption have come. ​
5
I looked, but there was no one to help, and I was appalled that no one upheld me. Therefore my own arm brought me salvation, and my own fury upheld me. ​
6
In my anger I trod down the peoples, made them drunk with my fury, then poured out their lifeblood on the earth."

A Historical Review of God's Mercy

7
I will recall the grace of ADONAI and the praises of ADONAI, because of all that ADONAI has granted us and his great goodness toward the house of Isra'el, which he bestowed on them in keeping with his mercy, in keeping with the greatness of his grace. ​
8
For he said, "They are indeed my people, children who are not disloyal." So he became their Savior.
9
In all their troubles he was troubled; then the Angel of His Presence saved them; in his love and pity he redeemed them. He had lifted them up and carried them throughout the days of old. ​
10
However, they rebelled, they grieved his Holy Spirit; so he became their enemy and himself fought against them. ​
11
But then his people remembered the days of old, the days of Moshe: "Where is he who brought them up from the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit right there among them, ​
12
who caused his glorious arm to go at Moshe's right hand? He divided the water ahead of them, to make himself an eternal name;
13
he led them through the deep like a sure-footed horse through the desert;
14
like cattle going down into a valley the Spirit of ADONAI had them rest. This is how you led your people, to make yourself a glorious name."

A Prayer for Restoration and Mercy

15
Look down from heaven; and see from your holy, glorious dwelling. Where are your zeal and your mighty deeds, your inner concern and compassion? Don't hold back, ​
16
for you are our father. Even if Avraham were not to know us, and Isra'el were not to acknowledge us, you, ADONAI, are our father, Our Redeemer of Old is your name. ​
17
ADONAI, why do you let us wander from your ways and harden our hearts, so that we do not fear you? Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes who are your possession. ​
18
Your holy people held your sanctuary such a short time, before our adversaries trampled it down. ​
19
For so long we have been like those you never ruled, like those who were not called by your name!

Study Notes for Isaiah 63

Verse 1

This dramatic dialogue introduces a powerful figure arriving from Edom (a traditional enemy of Israel) and its capital, Bozrah. The figure is covered in red, signaling a recent, violent conflict.

Verse 3

The imagery of treading the winepress is a common biblical metaphor for executing divine judgment (cf. Revelation 14:19-20). The emphasis here is on God performing this act alone, demonstrating His sovereign power.

Verse 4

God’s action is motivated by a set time for both justice against enemies ('the day of vengeance') and deliverance for His people ('the year of my redeemed'). The two purposes are inextricably linked.

Verse 5

This reinforces the theme of divine autonomy. God looked for human help but found none, demonstrating that salvation and judgment are accomplished solely by His 'own arm' (His power).

Verse 7

The tone shifts abruptly from judgment to remembrance and praise. The prophet recalls God's covenant loyalty (Hebrew: *hesed*, translated 'lovingkindness') and goodness toward Israel throughout their history.

Verse 9

This verse presents a profound theological concept: God suffers alongside His people in their affliction. The 'angel of his presence' refers to a visible manifestation of God’s own saving presence, particularly during the Exodus.

Verse 10

The people’s rebellion ('vexed') against the Lord’s guidance resulted in the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit’s saving presence. This is an early and significant reference to the human capacity to grieve the Holy Spirit.

Verse 11

The people or the prophet recall the foundational acts of salvation during the Exodus, appealing to God’s memory of His past faithfulness embodied in Moses and the shepherd of his flock.

Verse 15

This transition begins a communal lament. The people implore God to look down from heaven and reactivate His 'bowels' (a Hebrew idiom referring to deep, gut-level compassion and pity).

Verse 16

The community asserts God’s immediate fatherhood, claiming a relationship that supersedes even the foundational patriarchs (Abraham and Israel/Jacob), who are viewed as distant or 'ignorant' of the current generation's plight.

Verse 17

The lament uses the rhetorical question common in distress, asking why God has allowed them to wander from His path and become hardened. This reflects the deep theological struggle of understanding divine judgment.

Verse 18

This verse likely refers to the destruction of the Temple (the 'sanctuary') and the short duration of time the covenant community was able to possess the land securely, appealing to God to restore their inheritance.

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