Isaiah 63

Isaiah 63

The Day of Vengeance

1Who is this coming from the city of Bozrah in Edom?[#63:1 Bozrah means “sheepfold” or “fortress.”; #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,

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!”

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 was in my heart,[#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.]

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 accomplished salvation,

and my wrath sustained me.

6So I trampled down nations in my anger

and shattered them in my fury

and spilled their blood on the ground.”

God’s Endless Mercy

7I will tell again of the faithful, gracious acts of Yahweh[#63:7 Literally “the loving-kindnesses.”]

and praise him for everything he has done for us—

the wonderful goodness, 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.

9When they suffered, he suffered with them.

The Angel of His Presence saved them.

Out of his enduring love and compassion

he redeemed them.

He lifted them up, carried them in his arms ,

and cared for them all the days of old.

10But they rebelled against him

and grieved his Holy Spirit.

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 of his flock,

and put his Holy Spirit among them?

12Where now is the one

who linked his magnificent power to Moses,

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.

In the same way, you led your people

to win for yourself a glorious name!”

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 of tender compassion?

16For you are our loving Father.

Even if our ancestors, Abraham and Jacob,

don’t acknowledge us,

you, O Yahweh , are our loving Father!

From ancient times your name is our Redeemer.

17Yahweh , why do you allow us to wander from your ways[#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.”]

and harden our hearts to be so stubborn

that we do not obey 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 .

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.

The Passion Translation® is a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Published by: BroadStreet Publishing Group