Isaiah 63 - Outline of Isaiah (Book Notes menu page)

C. Restoration secured through Israel's glorious King (The King of Peace), ch. 58-66
  5. Israel's complete restoration; the Lord's complete destruction of her enemies, 62:1- 63:6
  [This section continues from the previous chapter.]
1. Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?
this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?
I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
2 Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel,
and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat {ie., winevat}?
3 I have trodden the winepress alone;
and of the people [there was] none with me:
for I will tread them in mine anger,
and trample them in my fury;
and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments,
and I will stain all my raiment.
4 For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart,
and the year of my redeemed {HB=ga'al} is come.
5 And I looked, and [there was] none to help;
and I wondered that [there was] none to uphold:
therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me;
and my fury, it upheld me.
6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger,
and make them drunk in my fury,
and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
    The tenderness of the preceding chapter is suddenly shattered by the approach of the One who yearns over His people (62:1). Those who observe are startled by the contrast...
  Who is this...?- The questioning voice is that of Israel, for they do not yet know the approaching One.
    The events described in this chapter precede the blessings which Jerusalem will realize when they receive their King (62:10-12).
  ...that cometh from Edom... from Bozrah? - These places are to the southeast of Jerusalem.
    This is consistent with other prophecies of Christ's second coming. He will approach Jerusalem from the east (eg., Zech 14:4).
    But why from these places? At the time of Christ's return, the nations will be gathered at Armageddon; and the Antichrist, having broken his covenant with Israel (Dan 9:27), will be seeking to destroy the Jewish people, who will have fled to the wilderness, presumably in the rugged mountains southeast of the Dead Sea (Isa 16:4; Mat 24:15,16; Rev 12:13-17). Apparently, the Lord will begin to crush His enemies in this region, as the Antichrist and his army encompass His exiled people. From that victory, He will continue to pour out His wrath, until all enemy forces are crushed (Rev 14:19,20). [Also see the Notes at Isa 34:5,6.]
  ...that is glorious in his apparel, travelling {HB=tsa'ah, conquering} in the greatness of his strength?
  I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save {HB=yesha, to deliver}.-
    The Messiah identifies Himself.
    - At His first coming, these two things were also true of Him:
    He came in righteousness, and He came to save. Luk 19:10; Joh 3:17; Heb 4:15
  - But at that time, He appeared in meekness and humiliation,
      to defeat sin and death, through His own death and resurrection (Isa 53:3-6; Heb 2:14-17).
  - He will come the second time, in astonishing majesty and power,
      to deliver His people by destroying their oppressors (Mat 24:30).
      The glory of His Person will be made known. The veil of blindness will be taken away from Israel at His future 'revelation' {this word, the title of the book of Revelation, refers to the uncovering or revealing of One who was previously hidden, Rev 1:1; 2Cor 3:14-17}.
    Wherefore {why} art thou red in thine apparel...? (v.2)-
      Why would He soil such glorious garments?
    I have trodden the winepress... in mine anger... in my fury...
    ...and their blood... will stain all my raiment.-
      The winepress of God's wrath will be trodden at the close of the Day of the LORD, the Tribulation period. Joel 3:9-16; Rev 14:19,20; 19:15,16
    I have trodden the winepress... I will tread them in mine anger...- (v.3)
      Notice the mixed tenses. The passage foretells events that are future (from the perspective of Isaiah, and also from the editor's time). Yet, from the perspective of those asking the question of v.2, the Messiah is actively engaged in trampling the winepress. In response to their question, He tells them He has recently trodden a portion, but He still has more to tread.
      What is the cause for His furious anger?
      - The campaign of the Antichrist: to destroy God's people.
      As noted above, this may be the reason that the region of Bozrah and Edom will be first to feel His fury.
      However, the significance of these names suggests a wider winepress.
  - The color of human blood-guiltiness.
      The names 'Edom' and 'Adam' and the word 'red' are the same HB word (except for added vowel points).
      Both names refer to the natural man, who, though his sins are as scarlet, refuses the salvation offered by the LORD (Isa 1:18). Esau (who is also called Edom) despised his spiritual birthright for momentary fleshly satisfaction. Thus, Edom depicts the fleshly man, who has no use for God and His Word.
      When the day of Grace ends, the wrath of God will fall upon ungodly men who have rejected His provision of Salvation. Eze 18:4; Lev 17:11; Rom 6:23; 1Pet 1:18-21
  - The collaboration of ungodly rebels (as at the tower of Babel, Gen 11:1-9).
      Bozrah means 'sheepfold' or 'fortress.'
      It symbolizes the union of natural men, who foolishly conspire together to exalt themselves, to extricate themselves from the authority of God and His Anointed King (eg., Psalm 2).
      The sheep of this sheepfold adamantly refuse to follow the Good Shepherd (Joh 10:26,27), and actively seek to overthrow Him. They leave Him no choice, but to crush them at His second coming (Rev 16:13-16; 19:19-21).
    their blood shall be sprinkled {or, splattered} upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.-
      Some teach that this is a picture of Christ's work of redemption on the cross, where He shed His blood for our sins. But, here, the blood splattered upon His garments is not His, but "their blood." Those that He tramples in judgment have no part in His salvation, for they have rejected Him and persecuted His people. cp. Joh 8:24
    for the day of vengeance is in my heart...-
      This phrase links this passage unmistakably to His second coming, as Christ Himself made the distinction at His first coming. cp. Isa 61:1,2; Luk 4:18-21 [See the Notes at Isa 61:1-3.]
    and the year of my redeemed {HB=ga'al, those pertaining to the kinsman redeemer} is come...-
      This phrase links this passage to the preceding chapter (62:12), and the yearning of the Messiah for His people, and for His Kingdom.
      In order to establish righteousness in the earth, He must first purge away sin. The blessings of chapter 62 cannot come until He exercises the judgment described in these opening verses of chapter 63.
      Compare the 'day' and 'year' of v.4 with Isa 34:8. Like the text before us (63:1-6), ch.34 also describes the judgments of the Day of the LORD, which are prerequisite to the LORD's blessings upon His people (described in ch.35).
    I have trodden the winepress alone... none with me... (v.3a)-
    I looked and there was none to help...
    I wondered {ie., was appalled} that there was none to uphold {ie., to lean upon, to sustain}... (v.5)-
      During the time of Jacob's Trouble (the great Tribulation), no nation will stand with Israel or support her. Even today, the often repeated promises, that our country (U.S.A.) is a steadfast friend of Israel, have an increasingly hollow sound. But in that day, Israel's self-proclaimed friend and protector will cast her aside to promote himself. Joh 5:43; Dan 9:27; 2The 2:4; Zech 12:2,3
    ...therefore, mine own arm brought salvation... (a reference to Christ, Isa 52:10; 53:1) -
      He, alone, accomplished the work of salvation, without assistance from anyone. Heb 1:3
      He, alone, will finish the work of judgment. Joh 12:31-33; 2The 1:6-10; 2:8(b)
      His work is sustained by His fury against unrighteousness.
    I will tread down the people in mine anger...
    ...I will make them drunk in my fury...- cp. Isa 51:17,21-23; Psa 75:8; Jer 25:26,27
    ...and I will bring down their strength {HB=netsach, blood} to the earth.-
      This is the judgment of the nations at Armageddon, in the Day of the LORD. cp. Isa 34:1-17; Rev 19:11-21
      Though religious people disapprove and recoil at the idea of the Messiah exercising such severe judgment, the fact remains that He is coming to judge the world. The world has rejected Him. They are in rebellion against Him. He will need to deal harshly with His enemies, if He is to bring the world into subjection to Himself (Psa 2:7-9).
      Some say that harsh judgment is characteristic of OT teaching and runs contrary to NT love and grace. But the NT is also clear that judgment is coming. In fact, the Gospel of Christ is the only means of deliverance from the righteous wrath of God (eg., Rom 1:16-18; Joh 3:36: Rev 16:1-16; 2The 1:8-10). Though the biblical prophets were not afraid to warn of coming judgment, the Lord Jesus Himself spoke more frequently than any of them concerning the ultimate judgment of hell (eg., Mark 9:42-48).
      His 'fury' {ie., indignation, v.3} is righteous indignation (v.1). The fury which satisfies His righteousness, facilitates the flow of His loving-kindness (v.7).
C. Restoration secured through Israel's glorious King (The King of Peace), ch. 58-66

1. Israel's false worship contrasted with true worship, 58:1-14
2. Israel's confession of sin, and the Redeemer's remedy, 59:1-21
3. Israel's radiance and peace in the Light of the Redeemer, 60:1-22
4. Israel's joy in the completed Gospel of the Anointed One, 61:1-11
5. Israel's complete restoration; the Lord's complete destruction of her enemies, 62:1- 63:6
6. The Remnant's prayer for Divine intervention, 63:7- 64:12
   1. The LORD's lovingkindness; Isaiah's intercession (63:7-15)
   2. The Remnant's prayer (63:15- 64:12)
      - Look down (63:15)
        - Father (63:16)
          - Sin (63:17)
            - Desolation (63:18-19)
      - Come down (64:1-7)
        - Father (64:8)
          - Sin (64:9)
            - Desolation (64:10-12)
        [bullet point divisions above, are as suggested by GWms]

7. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD,
[and] the praises of the LORD,
according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us,
and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies,
and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
8 For he said, Surely they [are] my people,
children [that] will not lie {ie., deal falsely}:
so he was their Saviour.
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 {HB=ga'al} them;
and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit:
therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.
  I will mention {remember, call to remembrance} the lovingkindnesses of the LORD...-
    The voice, in v.7-14, is that of the prophet, Isaiah, interceding for his people, in obedience to the LORD's command (in Isa 62:6,7).
    His prayer, following immediately after a scene of the LORD's fury (v.1-6), is startling in its sudden appeal to the LORD's lovingkindness. We are reminded that in wrath the LORD remembers mercy, for those who are His. Hab 3:2
    The LORD is the same in both the OT and NT. He is holy and must judge sin. Yet, He is loving and merciful, offering salvation to all who will sincerely turn to Him in truth (Ex 34:5-7; Lam 3:22,23).
    As a relative measure of His grace compared to His wrath, notice that the LORD offers salvation for a "year," whereas He has reserved a "day" for vengeance (v.4; 61:2).
  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie {ie., deal falsely}...-
    This line describes the believing Remnant of Israel, not the nation at large.
    The LORD called Israel to be His people (eg., Ex 6:7; 19:5,6), but they dealt treacherously with Him (Isa 48:8). Yet, when they sincerely turn to Him, He will be their Savior, and they will be His children, who, in His likeness, will never again turn from the truth. cp. 1Sam 15:29; Joh 1:47
  ...so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted...- (v.8,9)
    Some manuscripts read: "in all their affliction he was not afflicted {or, was no adversary}."
    Both are true. The LORD felt their pain and grieved for their sorrows, which Israel brought upon themselves through sin (eg., Judg 10:16). But He, being holy, was not afflicted by the consequences of sin. The LORD has no desire to afflict men, but He uses affliction to chastise His children (Lam 3:33; Heb 12:5-11).
    Consider this illustration: When Israel sinned in the wilderness, and the LORD sent fiery serpents among them, He was not bitten. Neither did He leave them to suffer their deserved fate. He stood by them in the pillar of cloud and fire, watching over them in their suffering, and waiting for them to turn to Him in their distress. Any snake bitten Israelite, who believed God's promise and looked to the remedy which He had provided, was saved from death. (So, it is today. Joh 3:14-20)
  the angel of his presence saved them... bare them... carried them...-
    This "angel" is elsewhere referred to as "the Angel of the LORD." This is the pre-incarnate Christ, the Rock that followed Israel in their wilderness journeys (1Cor 10:4), who preserved them, led them, and brought them safely into the land of promise... not because they deserved it, but because of His love and pity {ie., compassion} for them.
  but they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit...-
    Such was their reward to Him for all His lovingkindness.
  ...therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying],
Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock?
where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him?
12 That led [them] by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm,
dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness,
[that] they should not stumble?
14 As a beast goeth down into the valley,
the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest:
so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
  then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people saying...-
    The 'he' who remembered is 'the angel of His presence' (v.9). It is He who yearned to see His people on the path to righteousness and life, and entering into the things which the LORD has prepared for them (Isa 62:1). Therefore, He made intercession for those who had forgotten their Shepherd, and gone astray.
  Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock?-
    In the days of Moses, the LORD shepherded His people out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and through the wilderness into the promised land. Moses, as an under-shepherd, was enabled by the Spirit of the LORD, to fulfill the Great Shepherd's purpose (Ex 33:12-15).
    Thus, Isaiah prayed for Israel (in v.7-14), recalling the LORD's historic lovingkindness and power toward His people, and requesting Him to move His arm, again, in their behalf, so that He, as their Shepherd, would make known His matchless Name {ie., Reputation} (cp. Isa 51:9,10).
15. Look down from heaven,
and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory:
where [is] thy zeal and thy strength,
the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me?
are they restrained?
16 Doubtless thou [art] our father,
though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not:
thou, O LORD, [art] our father, our redeemer;
thy name [is] from everlasting.
17 O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways,
[and] hardened our heart from thy fear?
Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
18 The people of thy holiness have possessed [it] but a little while:
our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
19 We are [thine]:
thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
  Look down from heaven...- Isaiah appeals to the One who is above all.
    The LORD is not bogged down in Israel's problems. He is separate from sin and sinners.
    Yet, He is aware of their need, and of their oppression. eg., Ex 3:7-9
    He is superior to their oppressors, and powerful to deliver, if He wills to do so.
  Where is thy zeal... thy strength... thy bowels {sympathy}... thy mercies toward me?-
    Isaiah, in intense intercession, identifies himself with his people. The LORD's answer to his prayer for them, would express His 'mercies toward me' (cp. Ex 32:31,32; Rom 9:1-3).
  O LORD, Thou art our father... (v.16)-
    Isaiah's voice, in intercession for his people, is no longer discernable, after the word 'me' (in v.15), for now, the believing Remnant of Israel lifts their prayer (with the pronouns: our, us, we), in Isa 63:15- 64:12.
    They appeal based on the LORD's covenant relationship with the nation: "Thou art our Father." NT believers are accustomed to thinking of God as one's personal Father (eg., Mat 6:9; Joh 20:17). But this was not the OT concept. The LORD was the Father of the nation of Israel, just as Abraham was father of the nation (but not of each individual Israelite, cp. Isa 51:2).
    However, recognizing that the patriarchs, Abraham and Jacob (Israel), would not recognize their descendants, due to centuries of spiritual decline, they put no confidence in their ethnicity (cf. Joh 8:39). Rather, they appeal to the LORD, as their Father and Redeemer, to take ownership of the nation that He formed for Himself. cp. Isa 43:1-f; Luk 1:72-75
  ...our Redeemer {HB=ga'al}, thy name is from everlasting.-
    or: "our Redeemer, from everlasting, is thy name." [Darby] cp. Isa 54:5
  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err... and hardened our heart...? (v.17)-
    Do not misunderstand. They are not blaming Him for their willful departure.
    These lines may be paraphrased:
    "Why hast thou allowed us to err from Thy ways, and allowed our hearts to be hardened?"
    They desire to be done with their willfully wandering hearts, and to be drawn back to Him, to be led and kept in His ways.
  The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while...
  our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary...-
    The Remnant laments the destruction and wasting of 'Thine inheritance' (His land and Temple, v.17), due to the sin of the people (Israel), who the LORD had set apart for the purpose of displaying His holiness and glory. Their plea, for national restoration, is that the LORD's name be glorified in the people and place that He had chosen, despite the fact that they have failed Him.
[This prayer of the Remnant continues to the end of chapter 64.]

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