Isaiah 63

January 17, 2017

 

This chapter follows the pattern of Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Threats are spoken to those who have heard the Gospel but do not believe.  This chapter presents an angry God.  Vengeance for unbelief belongs to Him.

 

The Warrior Savior

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.

In Isaiah 34:6, Edom is the slaughter. Edom denotes the ungodly synagog.  This has to do with the devastation of the synagog.  Esau is the father of the Edomites.  Esau wanted to kill his brother Jacob.  He also had no faith in Christ.  This is a frightening thing for Isaiah’s Israel.  They thought they had a Savior.  However, the One they thought was coming to save them is now coming to destroy them. And yet He welcomes those who believe in Him.

 

Who Has No Army

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."  

You don’t want to receive salvation in Christ, then you will  receive the One from Edom with stained garments.

 

Remembering the Grace of God

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.

During sad times we remember sad things and during happy times we remember happy things.  Christians should recall the promises of God during sad times and recall the threats of God during happy times.  This is what Isaiah does when he sees that most of his brothers are about to perish.  Similarly, Paul says that the destruction of his brothers is deserved but that does not mean the Word of God failed.  Romans 9:6.  But in his sorrow, Paul recalls the former gracious acts of God. There is a work of the angels for our benefit, and this must always be preached. If we did not have their help, things would be different.

 

The Problem

10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

 

Remembering the Works of God

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? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble.  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.

 

A Prayer

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.

 

Hymn #209 TLH - An Easter Hymn

Who Is This That Comes From Edom

Who is this that comes from Edom, all His raiment stained with blood,

To the captive speaking freedom, bringing and bestowing good,

Glorious in the garb He wears, glorious in the spoil He bears?

 

‘Tis the Savior, now victorious, trav’ling onward in His might;

‘Tis the Savior; oh, how glorious to His people is the sight!

Satan conquered and the grave, Jesus now is strong to save.

 

Why that blood His raiment staining?  ‘Tis the blood of many slain;

Of His foes there’s none remaining, none the contest to maintain.

Fall’n they are, no more to rise; all their glory prostrate lies.

 

Mighty Victor, reign forever, wear the crown so dearly won;

Never shall Thy people, never, cease to sing what Thou hast done.

Thou hast fought Thy people’s foes; Thou hast healed Thy people’s woes.  Amen.