Isaiah 63:1-6 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Isaiah 63:1-6. Let’s go!
Isaiah 63:1-6 (NIV)
1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2 Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?
3 “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
6 I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”
On verses 1-6: After describing a wedding with God as the groom and His people as His bride (Isaiah 62), we move into a violent scene. It’s the war after the wedding. But contrary to the experience of many newlyweds, the war here is not between the bride and the groom. No, the war Isaiah is describing is between the groom and his enemies. In Isaiah 63 Isaiah pictures the LORD coming from Edom (not the geopolitical kingdom of Edom, for here Edom is used as a symbol for godlessness, for those who reject the LORD and who insist on being His enemy). The LORD comes from Edom with His garments stained red, as if He has just been treading a winepress. When questioned as to why His garments are stained, the LORD replies that He has just trampled upon His enemies in His wrath (v3). The “day of vengeance” which Isaiah 61:2 spoke of has come with finality (v4). Then, using almost identical language as Isaiah 59:16, verse 5 describes how God’s own arm worked salvation. Whereas 59:16 could be said to refer to the Servant’s death bringing salvation from sin, here in verse 5 the salvation that verses 5-6 describe are God’s Servant administering judgment on His enemies.
So there are two sides to salvation: the first side is that God’s children are spared (just as Isaiah 53 and the end of Isaiah 59 speak of); the other side is that God’s enemies are slaughtered. Isaiah 63:1-6 shows us the other side of salvation. God finally gets rid of all the evil doers and injustice makers in this world who refuse to humble themselves before God. So once again we see that God is both holy and merciful, just and compassionate, and His wrath is a corollary of His love.
Thank You Father that as Your bride we are safe in You and that one day You will trample on all evil and stamp out all injustice. For You are both a compassionate and just God. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
