Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Isaiah 63
Isaiah 63:1Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
This verse introduces God as a powerful figure returning from victory, showing He is fully capable of saving His people.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
This beautiful passage reveals God's empathy, stating that in all the troubles of His people, He was also troubled.Isaiah 63:16For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
The people cry out to God as their Father, acknowledging that their relationship with Him is more fundamental than their earthly ancestry.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Mighty Warrior Returns from Battle
The chapter opens with a dramatic and somewhat startling vision of a lone warrior approaching from Edom, his clothes stained red. This figure is the Lord Himself, returning from a battle where He has dealt with the enemies of His people. He explains that He acted alone because there was no one else to help, demonstrating His unique power to bring about justice and salvation.
A Heartfelt Prayer for God's Mercy
Following the intense imagery of judgment, the tone shifts dramatically to a communal prayer of lament. The speaker looks back at the history of Israel, specifically the Exodus from Egypt, to remind God of His previous mercy. They acknowledge their rebellion but plead for God to look down from heaven and act as their Father once again.
A Journey from Judgment to Prayer
Isaiah 63 moves from a vivid scene of divine judgment to a deep, historical reflection on God's relationship with Israel. In Isaiah 63:1-19, we see the prophet grappling with God's power, His past kindness, and the current desperate state of the nation.
The Winepress of Justice (Isaiah 63:1-6)
1 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?
3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.
4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.
6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”
Commentary:
God acts as a solitary warrior to defeat evil and bring about justice for His people.
The Compassion of the Savior (Isaiah 63:7-9)
7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely." And he became their Savior.
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 them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Commentary:
The prophet remembers God's kindness and His deep empathy for His people's suffering.
Rebellion and the Memory of Moses (Isaiah 63:10-14)
10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit,
12 who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
13 who led them through the depths?
14 Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.
Commentary:
The people recall how God guided them through the Exodus despite their history of rebellion.
A Plea to the Eternal Father (Isaiah 63:15-19)
15 Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.
16 For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
17 O Lord, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.
Commentary:
The people plead for God to act as their Father and return to His ruined sanctuary.
Understanding God's Justice and His Heart
The Solitary Savior
Isaiah 63:3-5 emphasizes that God often works alone to bring about salvation. This reveals that while humans may fail or be unable to help, God's own arm is sufficient to rescue His people and defeat evil.
Divine Empathy
The passage shows that God is deeply affected by human pain, stating that in all their affliction He was afflicted. This theme bridges the gap between a powerful Creator and a personal God who shares in the emotional experiences of His children.
The Fatherhood of God
By calling God Father in verse 16, the text highlights a relationship based on creation and covenant, not solely physical descent. It suggests that our primary identity and hope are found in our relationship with God as our spiritual parent.
Applying Isaiah 63 to Our Walk Today
In Isaiah 63:1-6, we see that God's anger is directed at injustice and evil that harms His people. You can find comfort in knowing that God is a protector who is willing to fight against the things that destroy life and goodness.
According to Isaiah 63:9, God is not indifferent to your struggles. When you go through hard times, you can be sure that He is present with you, feeling your pain and offering His love and pity to carry you through.
You can follow the example in Isaiah 63:15-17 by being completely honest with God about your state. Even if your heart feels hard, you can still call Him Father and ask Him to return and soften your heart by His grace.
God Fights for Us and Feels for Us
Isaiah 63 reveals that God is the ultimate protector who fights for justice and the tender Father who grieves with His children. In this passage, we see a God who is mighty to save but also deeply moved by the suffering of His people. The message is clear: no matter how far we wander or how much we suffer, we can call upon the One who has always been our Redeemer. He is the only one capable of defeating the evil around us and healing the hardness within us.
What This Means for Us Today
Isaiah 63 invites us to look back at God's past faithfulness to find hope for our current struggles. It calls us to be honest with God about our pain and our need for His presence, trusting that He is still our Father. We are invited to rest in the strength of the Warrior and the heart of the Father.
- Where have you seen God's steadfast love in your own history?
- How does knowing God suffers with you change your perspective on your current trials?
- Will you trust the Father to lead you back to a place of rest today?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
This New Testament passage uses similar imagery of a warrior with blood-stained garments to describe the return of Jesus.
Provides the historical background for the memories of the Red Sea crossing mentioned in Isaiah 63.
Jesus reinforces the theme of God as Father, which Isaiah 63 highlights as a source of hope.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the prophet emphasizes that God trod the winepress alone? What does this say about human effort versus divine power?
- How does the idea that God suffers when we suffer change the way you talk to Him during difficult seasons?
- In verse 17, the people ask why God makes them wander or hardens their hearts. How do we balance our responsibility for our choices with our need for God to lead us?