Isaiah 63

63:1-6 The judgment of Edom typifies God’s judgment of all the nations (see also 34:5-15).63:1 The Lord’s robes are stained red with blood (63:3; cp. Rev 19:13). • The name Bozrah (Hebrew botsrah) is a wordplay on the verb batsar (“gather grapes”).

63:2 The term red (Hebrew ’adom) is a wordplay on the name Edom.

63:4 the time . . . to avenge my people: See study note on 34:8. • to ransom: See study note on 43:1.

63:6 made them stagger: The wicked nations would be forced to drink from the intoxicating cup of God’s wrath (49:26; 51:17, 21).

63:7-14 The prophet reflects on Israel’s past, how God showed his unfailing love and how his people alternatively rebelled against him, suffered hardship, returned to the Lord, and experienced his blessing.63:7 unfailing love . . . all he has done . . . his great goodness: The whole history of God’s care for his people demonstrates his compassion, provision, and protection.

63:8 They are my very own people: God’s possession of and commitment to his people was central to the covenant (see 43:1). • they will not betray me: The Lord expected his own people to honor their relationship with him, unlike the nations, whose story is a history of treachery (Gen 3–11). But Israel, too, betrayed their God (Isa 63:10). • their Savior: God rescued and protected his people (see 43:3).

63:9 he also suffered: God identified with his suffering people, and their suffering brought him grief. Later, Jesus suffered on behalf of all humanity. • and he personally rescued them: e.g., see Exod 12:25-33; 14:10-31; 23:20-23.

63:10 But they rebelled: See also 1:2, 4; 59:1-15; Pss 78, 106. • Persistent disobedience and unbelief grieved his Holy Spirit (Ps 106:33; Matt 12:32; Mark 3:29). • he became their enemy: Examples include Israel’s period of wandering in the wilderness (see the book of Numbers), the period of the judges (see the book of Judges), and the period leading up to the Exile (see the book of Jeremiah).

63:14 God gave his people rest after he brought them into the Promised Land (see 63:9; Josh 1:13; 22:4; 23:1).

63:15–64:12 The prophet’s reflections on the past (63:7-14) inspire him to pray that God would now rescue his people as he has done before.

63:16 our Father: God’s fatherhood and his commitment to his children are much more important and secure than national ancestry (see 9:6; 64:8; Deut 32:6; Ps 68:5; Mal 2:10; Matt 6:9-15; Rom 8:15-17).

63:17 The prophet understands that God has the power to keep his people faithful, so he asks, why have you allowed us to turn from your path? • Return and help us: God likewise has the power to call his people back to himself (Ezek 36:25-27) and to defeat all their enemies.

63:18 The people were supposed to be holy, but their lack of holiness had led to destruction. • The holy place was the Temple, which the Babylonians destroyed in 586 BC (64:11; 2 Kgs 25:1-21).

63:19 Israel was constantly turning from God and then being punished by him.