Isaiah 63
63
The Day of Vengeance
1Who is this coming from the city of Bozrah # 63:1 Bozrah means “sheepfold” or “fortress.” in Edom? # 63:1 Although Edom was an ancient kingdom in Transjordan, the general consensus of scholars is that Edom here is a symbolic term for the enemies of God—a collective archetype of that which stands in God’s way. It is possible, since Edom is a variant form of Adam, sharing the same Hebrew root, that we are seeing how God triumphs over “Adam” by the crimson blood of the Last Adam, Jesus Christ. Additionally, the Edomites were bitter enemies of the Jews and typify the warfare of the flesh versus the spirit (see Gal. 5:17). Isaiah saw this mystery man coming on the road from Bozrah to Zion, clothed in crimson garments, having conquered his enemies, not weary or fainting. He came in the greatness of his strength.
He is dressed in garments of bright scarlet, # 63:1 Or “majestic in attire.”
robed in a garment dyed bright red,
marching like a champion in his great power and might.
“It is I! I am the one who announces righteousness,
I am mighty and ready to save!” # 63:1 This points to Jesus Christ, who is mighty to save those who come to him in faith. Alone, he conquered sin, death, Satan, sickness, fear, and the grave. Isaiah’s focus seems to be on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. See John 19:30; Eph. 1:20–23; Col. 2:15; 1 John 2:14–18.
2Why are your robes so red,
like those of one treading grapes?
3“I have been treading in the winepress alone,
and there was no one there from the nations to help me.
I stomped on the nations in my anger
and trampled them down in my wrath.
Their blood soaked my clothing and stained all my robes.
4For a day of vengeance # 63:4 The “day of vengeance” has multiple applications. It can refer to the release of the Jews from Babylon, the release of the church from the Dark Ages, the release of creation from the bondage of corruption brought by sin (see Rom. 8:19–21), or, as some would claim, the future battle of Armageddon. But the context favors an interpretation that this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was crucified and rendered judgment on principalities and powers by the blood of his cross and his triumphant resurrection. was in my heart,
and the time for my redeeming work had come.
5I looked, but there was no one to help me.
I was amazed that there was no one to support me.
So my own power # 63:5 Or “my own arm,” a symbol of God’s power. accomplished salvation,
and my wrath # 63:5 Some Hebrew manuscripts have weṣidqathi: “My victorious [right hand] sustained me.” sustained me.
6So I trampled down nations in my anger
and shattered them in my fury # 63:6 As translated from most Hebrew manuscripts and the Targum (Aramaic); however, some manuscripts read “I made them drunk with my fury.”
and spilled their blood on the ground.”
God’s Endless Mercy
7I will tell again of the faithful, gracious acts # 63:7 Literally “the loving-kindnesses.” of Yahweh
and praise him for everything # 63:7 Or “the praiseworthy deeds.” he has done for us—
the wonderful goodness, # 63:7 See Ps. 145:7. the riches of his mercy,
which he has shown to the house of Israel,
and the abundance of his endless love.
8For he said,
“Truly, they are my loyal children who will not act deceitfully.”
He became their Savior. # 63:8 See Matt. 1:21–23.
9When they suffered, he suffered with them.
The Angel of His Presence saved them. # 63:9 Or “Neither an elder or an angel, but the Lord himself saved them.” See Ex. 23:20–23; 33:14–15; Deut. 4:37. “The Angel of His Presence” is literally “the Angel of His Faces.” God has many faces that he reveals to his people. Most scholars conclude that this phrase, a hapax legomenon, does not refer to one of the angelic host but to the Lord himself. Others see this angel as Gabriel, for he is described as the angel who comes from the presence (face) of God (see Luke 1:19).
Out of his enduring love and compassion
he redeemed them.
He lifted them up, carried them in his arms, # 63:9 See Deut. 1:31; 32:10–12.
and cared for them all the days of old.
10But they rebelled against him
and grieved his Holy Spirit. # 63:10 The Holy Spirit has feelings that can be hurt, leaving him grieved. See Gen. 6:6; Ps. 78:40; Eph. 4:30.
Only then did he turn against them.
He became their enemy and fought against them.
The Day of Remembrance
11Then they remembered God’s deeds in days past,
the days of Moses and his people.
And they asked:
“Where now is Yahweh, who brought them miraculously
through the Red Sea
along with Moses, the shepherd-leader # 63:11 Or “shepherds” (plural), indicating that this refers to Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel. of his flock,
and put his Holy Spirit among them? # 63:11 See Num. 11:17.
12Where now is the one
who linked his magnificent power to Moses, # 63:12 Or “who made his majestic arm march at the right hand of Moses.” This may be a figurative way of saying that God put his power in Moses’ right hand.
who divided the waters before them
to gain everlasting fame for himself?
13Who led them through the depths of the sea?
They were as sure-footed as horses on dry, level ground—
they did not stumble.
14As a herder leads his cattle to find rest in a fertile valley,
the Spirit of Yahweh led them into rest. # 63:14 See Ps. 23:1–3.
In the same way, you led your people
to win for yourself a glorious name!” # 63:14 See Eph. 1:20–23; Phil. 2:5–11.
The Day of Prayer
15Lord, look down from heaven,
from your holy, glorious dwelling place, and see us.
What happened to your passion for us
and your mighty acts of power?
Why are you withholding from us
your feelings # 63:15 Or “yearnings.” God has deep feelings toward us, for the Hebrew is literally “[Don’t hold back] the agitation of your intestines.” of tender compassion? # 63:15 The Hebrew word for “compassion” is a homonym that can also be translated “womb.” They both speak of nurturing love, care, and tenderness.
16For you are our loving Father.
Even if our ancestors, Abraham and Jacob, # 63:16 Or “Israel.”
don’t acknowledge us,
you, O Yahweh, are our loving Father! # 63:16 See Deut. 32:6.
From ancient times your name is our Redeemer.
17Yahweh, why do you allow us # 63:17 The Hebrew word is tatenu (“make us”). Similar to the tolerative form of the Hiphil of ta’ah in Jer. 50:6, it is best seen as “allow us” versus causative, in its usual form, “make us.” to wander from your ways
and harden our hearts to be so stubborn
that we do not obey you? # 63:17 Or “fear you.”
Please come back to us,
for the sake of those who serve you,
for the sake of your people,
the tribes that are your inheritance.
18For a short time
your holy people possessed a holy place. # 63:18 Or “Jerusalem.”
But now our enemies have invaded and trampled down
your sacred sanctuary.
19You treat us as though we had never been your people,
called by your name, or ruled by you.
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Isaiah 63: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationIsaiah 63
63
The LORD's Victory over the Nations
1 #
Is 34.5–17; Jer 49.7–22; Ezek 25.12–14; 35.1–15; Amos 1.11–12; Obad 1.1–14; Mal 1.2–5 “Who is this coming from the city of Bozrah in Edom? Who is this so splendidly dressed in red, marching along#63.1 Some ancient translations marching along; Hebrew bowed down. in power and strength?”
“It is the LORD, powerful to save, coming to announce his victory.”
2“Why is his clothing so red, like that of someone who tramples grapes to make wine?”
3 #
Rev 14.20; 19.13, 15 The LORD answers, “I have trampled the nations like grapes, and no one came to help me. I trampled them in my anger, and their blood has stained all my clothing. 4I decided that the time to save my people had come; it was time to punish their enemies. 5#Is 59.16I was amazed when I looked and saw that there was no one to help me. But my anger made me strong, and I won the victory myself. 6In my anger I trampled whole nations and shattered them. I poured out their lifeblood on the ground.”
The LORD's Goodness to Israel
7I will tell of the LORD's unfailing love;
I praise him for all he has done for us.
He has richly blessed the people of Israel
because of his mercy and constant love.
8The LORD said, “They are my people; they will not deceive me.” And so he saved them 9from all their suffering. It was not an angel, but the LORD himself who saved them. In his love and compassion he rescued them. He had always taken care of them in the past, 10but they rebelled against him and made his Holy Spirit sad. So the LORD became their enemy and fought against them.
11But then they#63.11 Probable text they; Hebrew he. remembered the past, the days of Moses, the servant of the LORD, and they asked, “Where now is the LORD, who saved the leaders of his people from the sea? Where is the LORD, who gave his Spirit to Moses? 12-13#Ex 14.21Where is the LORD, who by his power did great things through Moses, dividing the waters of the sea and leading his people through the deep water, to win everlasting fame for himself?”
Led by the LORD, they were as sure-footed as wild horses, and never stumbled. 14As cattle are led into a fertile valley, so the LORD gave his people rest. He led his people and brought honour to his name.
A Prayer for Mercy and Help
15 LORD, look upon us from heaven, where you live in your holiness and glory. Where is your great concern for us? Where is your power? Where are your love and compassion? Do not ignore us. 16You are our father. Our ancestors Abraham and Jacob do not acknowledge us, but you, LORD, are our father, the one who has always rescued us. 17Why do you let us stray from your ways? Why do you make us so stubborn that we turn away from you? Come back, for the sake of those who serve you, for the sake of the people who have always been yours.
18We, your holy people, were driven out by our enemies for a little while: they trampled down your sanctuary.#63.18 Verse 18 in Hebrew is unclear. 19You treat us as though you had never been our ruler, as though we had never been your people.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.