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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
63:1-14 The Coming Victor, His Past Faithfulness. God comforts his people with a vision of his victory over all evil in the future and of his loving goodness in the past.
63:1-6 The Messiah comes in final vengeance.
63:1 Speaking as a watchman on the wall, Isaiah marvels at the Messiah marching toward Zion as a victorious warrior (cf. 52:8; 62:6). Edom, the unbelieving nation southeast of Jerusalem, typifies the world in its contempt for the promises of God (cf. Gen. 25:29-34; 27:41; Isa. 34:1-7; Ezekiel 35; Mal. 1:2-4). Bozrah. The capital city of Edom (cf. Isa. 34:6). speaking in righteousness. His claim to be mighty to save has integrity and truth. No Edom exists that can defeat him (cf. Rev. 17:14).
63:3 I have trodden the winepress. Trampling of grapes is an image of judgment. God's final judgment on human sin is a harvest of justice (cf. Joel 3:13; Rev. 14:18-20; 19:13, 15). alone . . . no one. The Messiah alone wins the victory for his people (cf. Isa. 59:15b-18).
63:4 the day of vengeance was in my heart. See note on 61:1-3. my year of redemption. See note on 41:14.
63:7-14 The present challenge to faith: "Where is he?"
63:7 I will recount. The same verb (Hb. zakar) is in "You who put the Lord in remembrance" (62:6). These are the reflections of one who brings things to remembrance, recalling God's history of mercies toward Israel. the steadfast love of the Lord . . . his steadfast love. God was always true to his old covenant people; cf. Ex. 34:6.
63:8 God gave himself to Israel as her Savior, but she betrayed him (cf. 1:2-4). Isaiah is not saying that God miscalculated, but that his people did not respond as they should have.
63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted. God was sorrowful over the suffering of his people (even though it was their own sin that brought it on). See Ex. 2:23-25 and Judg. 10:16. the angel of his presence. An unparalleled expression, suggesting how God wonderfully drew near to his people (cf. Ex. 23:20-23; 33:14-15; Num. 20:16). he redeemed them. The word "he" is emphatic, for God acted directly and personally.
63:10-11 his Holy Spirit. . . . his Holy Spirit. Again Isaiah emphasizes God's generous self-giving to Israel. grieved. This attributes some personal characteristics to the Holy Spirit and is one of the hints the OT gives of the distinct, personal existence of the Holy Spirit within the being of God. But they rebelled. See Psalm 78; Isa. 1:2; 66:24; Acts 7:51. The Savior of Isa. 63:8 thus became their enemy. See 1:19-20 and 43:27-28. In Eph. 4:30 Paul warns against grieving the Holy Spirit.
