Isaiah 63
BSB1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save." 2 Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. 4 For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come. 5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me. 6 I trampled the nations in My anger; in My wrath I made them drunk and poured out their blood on the ground." 7 I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us— the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion. 8 For He said, “They are surely My people, sons who will not be disloyal.” So He became their Savior. 9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. 11 Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, 12 who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, 13 who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? 14 Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name. 15 Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained. 16 Yet 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 Everlasting is Your name. 17 Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. 18 For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary. 19 We have become like those You never ruled, like those not called by Your name.
Study Notes — Isaiah 63
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Isaiah 63
- Themes from Isaiah 63
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Isaiah 63
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Isaiah chapter 63 begins with a vivid description of God's judgment, as He comes from Edom with blood-stained garments, having trodden the winepress of His wrath (Isaiah 63:1-6). The chapter then shifts to a prayer of lament, in which the prophet expresses the people's sorrow over their sin and their longing for God's mercy (Isaiah 63:7-14). The prophet recalls the mighty deeds of God in the past, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna in the wilderness (Isaiah 63:11-14). The chapter concludes with a plea for God to look down from heaven and have mercy on His people, despite their rebellion and sin (Isaiah 63:15-19). Throughout the chapter, we see the tension between God's justice and His mercy, as well as the people's struggle to remain faithful in the face of adversity.
Context for the Chapter
Isaiah chapter 63 is part of the larger section of Isaiah known as the 'Book of Consolation' (Isaiah 40-66). This section emphasizes God's comfort and redemption of His people, particularly in the face of adversity and exile. The chapter's themes of judgment and mercy are consistent with the broader context of the book, which highlights God's sovereignty and His commitment to saving His people. The chapter also looks forward to the coming Messiah, who will bring salvation and redemption to God's people.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Isaiah chapter 63, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's mercy and redemption. Despite our sin and rebellion, God offers us forgiveness and salvation through Christ. We are encouraged to remember God's past deeds and to trust in His goodness and provision, even in the face of adversity. May we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our sin and our need for His mercy, and may we trust in His power and love to save us.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Isaiah chapter 63 is about God's judgment on His enemies and His redemption of His people. The chapter describes God's power and wrath, as well as His mercy and love. We see the contrast between God's judgment and His mercy, and we are reminded of the importance of trusting in His salvation. As the prophet says, 'I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save' (Isaiah 63:1), we are encouraged to trust in God's power and love.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord Jesus Christ is the mighty Savior, who speaks in righteousness and is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The prophet's words are a call to repentance, urging us to turn away from our sin and to trust in God's mercy and redemption.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- God's Judgment on Edom (Isaiah 63:1-6) — The chapter begins with a vivid description of God's judgment on Edom, emphasizing His power and wrath.
- A Prayer of Lament (Isaiah 63:7-14) — The prophet expresses the people's sorrow over their sin and their longing for God's mercy, recalling God's mighty deeds in the past.
- A Plea for God's Mercy (Isaiah 63:15-19) — The chapter concludes with a plea for God to look down from heaven and have mercy on His people, despite their rebellion and sin.
- The Importance of Remembering God's Past Deeds — The prophet's recollection of God's mighty deeds in the past serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, encouraging us to trust in His goodness and provision.
- The Contrast between Judgment and Mercy — Throughout the chapter, we see a striking contrast between God's judgment on His enemies and His mercy towards His people, highlighting the complexity of God's character.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of God's Judgment
- Isaiah chapter 63 emphasizes God's power and wrath, highlighting His commitment to upholding justice and righteousness. This doctrine serves as a reminder of the severity of God's punishment on those who rebel against Him.
- The Doctrine of God's Mercy
- The chapter also emphasizes God's mercy and compassion, particularly in His dealings with His people despite their sin and rebellion. This doctrine encourages us to trust in God's goodness and provision, even in the face of adversity.
- The Doctrine of Salvation
- The chapter points to God's deliverance and redemption of His people, highlighting His power and ability to save those who trust in Him. This doctrine serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's salvation and redemption.
- The Doctrine of the Trinity
- The chapter's emphasis on God's speaking in righteousness and His ability to save points to the doctrine of the Trinity, highlighting the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in God's plan of salvation.
Lessons from Isaiah 63
- The Importance of Trusting in God's Mercy — The chapter encourages us to trust in God's mercy and redemption, despite our sin and rebellion.
- The Power of Remembering God's Past Deeds — The prophet's recollection of God's mighty deeds in the past serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, encouraging us to trust in His goodness and provision.
- The Complexity of God's Character — The chapter highlights the complexity of God's character, emphasizing both His justice and His mercy.
- The Significance of Christ and the Gospel — The chapter's emphasis on God's salvation and redemption points to Christ and the gospel, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's power and love to save us.
- The Importance of Humility and Repentance — The chapter encourages us to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our sin and our need for His mercy, and to trust in His power and love to save us.
Themes from Isaiah 63
- God's Judgment and Mercy — The chapter emphasizes God's power and wrath, as well as His mercy and compassion, highlighting the complexity of His character.
- The Importance of Remembering God's Past Deeds — The prophet's recollection of God's mighty deeds in the past serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, encouraging us to trust in His goodness and provision.
- The Significance of Christ and the Gospel — The chapter's emphasis on God's salvation and redemption points to Christ and the gospel, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's power and love to save us.
- The Complexity of God's Character — The chapter highlights the complexity of God's character, emphasizing both His justice and His mercy.
- The Importance of Humility and Repentance — The chapter encourages us to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our sin and our need for His mercy, and to trust in His power and love to save us.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the image of God coming from Edom with blood-stained garments reveal about God's character?
- How does the prophet's recollection of God's past deeds encourage us to trust in His goodness and provision?
- What is the significance of the contrast between God's judgment and His mercy in the chapter?
- How does the chapter's emphasis on God's salvation and redemption point to Christ and the gospel?
- What practical lessons can we learn from the chapter about trusting in God's mercy and redemption?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. God's Judgment on Edom (Isaiah 63:1-6)
| 63:1 | The chapter begins with a vivid description of God's judgment on Edom, emphasizing His power and wrath. |
| 63:2 | The image of God's blood-stained garments serves as a symbol of His judgment and punishment on those who rebel against Him. |
| 63:3 | The prophet emphasizes God's speaking in righteousness and His ability to save, highlighting His commitment to upholding justice and righteousness. |
| 63:4 | The day of vengeance is a day of redemption, emphasizing God's power and ability to save His people. |
| 63:5 | The prophet laments the fact that God's people have been left to their own devices, without a leader or a shepherd to guide them. |
| 63:6 | The chapter concludes this section with a description of God's judgment on the nations, emphasizing His power and wrath. |
2. A Prayer of Lament (Isaiah 63:7-14)
| 63:7 | The prophet begins a prayer of lament, expressing the people's sorrow over their sin and their longing for God's mercy. |
| 63:8 | The prophet recalls God's past deeds, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna in the wilderness. |
| 63:9 | The prophet emphasizes God's presence with His people, despite their sin and rebellion. |
| 63:10 | The people rebelled against God, despite His presence and provision, and grieved His Holy Spirit. |
| 63:11 | The prophet recalls the mighty deeds of God in the past, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna in the wilderness. |
| 63:12 | The prophet emphasizes God's power and ability to save His people, despite their sin and rebellion. |
| 63:13 | The prophet laments the fact that God's people have been left to their own devices, without a leader or a shepherd to guide them. |
| 63:14 | The chapter concludes this section with a description of God's people, who are like sheep without a shepherd, and are in need of God's mercy and redemption. |
3. A Plea for God's Mercy (Isaiah 63:15-19)
| 63:15 | The prophet begins a plea for God's mercy, asking Him to look down from heaven and have mercy on His people. |
| 63:16 | The prophet emphasizes God's role as Father and Redeemer, highlighting His commitment to His people. |
| 63:17 | The prophet laments the fact that God's people have been hardened and have rebelled against Him, despite His presence and provision. |
| 63:18 | The people have possessed God's holy places for a little while, but have been quickly cast out, emphasizing the fleeting nature of human achievement. |
| 63:19 | The chapter concludes with a description of God's people, who are like those who have never been called by God's name, and are in need of His mercy and redemption. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the image of God coming from Edom with blood-stained garments?
The image of God coming from Edom with blood-stained garments is a symbol of His judgment and punishment on those who rebel against Him (Isaiah 63:1-3).
How does the prophet's recollection of God's past deeds encourage us to trust in His goodness and provision?
The prophet's recollection of God's past deeds serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, encouraging us to trust in His goodness and provision (Isaiah 63:7-14).
What is the significance of the contrast between God's judgment and His mercy in the chapter?
The contrast between God's judgment and His mercy highlights the complexity of God's character, emphasizing both His justice and His love (Isaiah 63:1-19).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 63:1 → Revelation 19:13 | The image of God coming from Edom with blood-stained garments is reminiscent of Christ's triumph over sin and death on the cross. |
| 2 | Isaiah 63:7 → Psalm 77:10-12 | The prophet's recollection of God's past deeds is similar to the psalmist's recollection of God's mighty works in the past. |
| 3 | Isaiah 63:11 → Exodus 14:13-14 | The prophet's reference to the parting of the Red Sea is a reminder of God's power and deliverance in the past. |
| 4 | Isaiah 63:14 → Psalm 74:1-2 | The prophet's lament over God's people, who are like sheep without a shepherd, is similar to the psalmist's lament over God's people, who are oppressed and afflicted. |
| 5 | Isaiah 63:15 → Psalm 80:14 | The prophet's plea for God's mercy is similar to the psalmist's plea for God's restoration and salvation. |
| 6 | Isaiah 63:16 → Psalm 89:26 | The prophet's emphasis on God's role as Father and Redeemer is similar to the psalmist's emphasis on God's covenant faithfulness and love. |
| 7 | Isaiah 63:17 → Romans 11:25 | The prophet's lament over God's people, who have been hardened and have rebelled against Him, is similar to the apostle's lament over Israel's hardness of heart and rebellion against God. |
| 8 | Isaiah 63:19 → Hosea 1:9 | The prophet's description of God's people, who are like those who have never been called by God's name, is similar to the prophet's description of God's people, who are like those who are not God's people. |
| 9 | Isaiah 63:1-6 → Matthew 22:1-14 | The parable of the wedding feast, in which the king's servants are sent to invite guests to the feast, is similar to the prophet's description of God's judgment on Edom and His redemption of His people. |
| 10 | Isaiah 63:7-14 → Acts 7:1-53 | The prophet's recollection of God's past deeds is similar to Stephen's recollection of God's mighty works in the past, which serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness. |
Sermons on Isaiah 63
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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And the Country Was Filled With Water by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker uses the story of three armies lacking water to illustrate the spiritual poverty that exists in the Christian church today. He emphasizes the need for b |
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Then the Fire of the Lord Fell by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon transcript, the preacher emphasizes the need for conviction and the fear of God in our lives. He describes a powerful experience of God's presence during a church se |
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Attributes of God (Series 1): God's Goodness by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that all the attributes of God are different aspects of one God in three persons. He encourages the listeners to think right and align their |
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Getting to Know the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson | This sermon focuses on the importance of getting to know the Holy Spirit as described in John 14:16. It emphasizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit, including comfort, sonship, and |
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The Time of Armagedon by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events leading up to the battle of Armageddon as described in the book of Revelation. The sixth angel pours out his bowl upon the river E |
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(Revival) Part 6 - Crowning Day by Martyn-Lloyd Jones | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a desperate situation faced by the prophet and his people. The prophet urges his people to join him in prayer and watching, as their position |
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The Ten Virgins (Reading) by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | In this sermon, Reverend Robert Murray McChain focuses on the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-13. He addresses the congregation, dividing them into two classes: the wi |
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The Precious Blood and the Mighty Hand by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of seeking inspiration from the Holy Spirit. After two weeks of struggling to find a message, he is guided to study love and |
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(Genesis) Genesis 49:11-15 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of the tribes of Israel in the nation's history. He emphasizes that the average person, like the tribes, is often overlooked an |
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Glimpses of the Future - Part 3 by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into various prophetic glimpses from the book of Revelation and other biblical passages, highlighting the significance of young people in evangelism, the role of |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Isaiah 63
In Isaiah chapter 63, we see a vivid description of God's judgment on His enemies and His redemption of His people. The chapter begins with a description of God's judgment on Edom, emphasizing His power and wrath. The prophet then recalls God's past deeds, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna in the wilderness, which serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness. The chapter concludes with a plea for God's mercy, in which the prophet asks God to look down from heaven and have mercy on His people, despite their rebellion and sin. Throughout the chapter, we see the complexity of God's character, emphasizing both His justice and His love. As Matthew Henry says, 'God's judgments are His strange work, but His mercies are His proper work.' The chapter encourages us to trust in God's mercy and redemption, despite our sin and rebellion, and to remember His past deeds as a reminder of His power and faithfulness. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Contrast between Judgment and Mercy
Throughout the chapter, we see a striking contrast between God's judgment on His enemies and His mercy towards His people. This contrast highlights the complexity of God's character and the tension between His justice and His love.
The Importance of Remembering God's Past Deeds
The prophet's recollection of God's mighty deeds in the past serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness. This emphasis on remembering God's past actions encourages us to trust in His goodness and provision in the present.
The People's Struggle with Sin and Rebellion
The chapter's emphasis on the people's sin and rebellion serves as a reminder of the human condition and our tendency to turn away from God. This struggle highlights the need for God's mercy and redemption in our lives.