Isaiah 63

The prophet describeth the glorious of Christ over the enemies of his church over.1. the praise and commendation of Gods great goodness, 7 and a confession of the peoples sins, for which God was offended, 10 but had compassion again calling to mind his former mercies, 11. A prayer for further grace and protection,15.

1. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with sprinkled garments from Bozra? [some take these to be words of the prophet Isaiah, who seeing in a vision the just judgement of God upon his enemies wondereth greatly, and standeth as it were amazed: but others are of opinion, that the church speaketh here wondering at the great power of Christ against his enemies, in his death and resurrection from the dead. (who is this, who is that cometh from Edom) that is, from the land of the Edomites or from the Edomites. Understand this of the enemies of Gods people in general, but especially of their spiritual enemies; to wit, the devil and the ministers of Anti Christ, as above chap.34.5 (with sprinkled garments) Heb. Leavened of garments. See the Annotat. Psal. 71 on ver. 4 and 73. On ver. 21. The Great interpreters and others, with red died garments signifying his wrath against his enemies, with whose blood his garments were sprinkled: compare Revel. 19.13. (from Bozra?) this was the chief city in the land of the Edomites, whereof also mention is made above chap.34.6 and Jerem. 49.13.22 and here by Bozra may be understood the chief city of all the enemies of the church of God] this is adorned in apparel? [understand here by the ornament the holiness of Christ and his Royal glory in his triumph over his enemies] that marcheth forth [the Hebrew word signifieth as much to march up and down in a strange country, as Jerem.48.12.] in his great strength? [to wit. In the strength of his Godhead] i am he that speak in righteousness, [here Christ the great prophet that should come into the world, as was promises. Deut.18.15. maketh answer (that speaketh righteousness) or, that speak with, or of righteous; that is, that threatneth the enemies of Gods people with the just judgement of God] that am mighty to deliver. [Or, that am sufficient to deliver: for unto him is given all power both in heaven and on earth; he is an almighty God the Father and the holy Ghost.]

2. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel? [Here the Church speaketh again, or the prophet, unto Christ, saying, wherefore art thou, the meaning is, wherefore are the garments which thou hast on red? Compare Revelation 19:13.] and thy garments as of one that treadeth in the wine-press? [Understand withal and whose garments are sprinkled with red wine. This similitude is elsewhere used, signifying vengeance, Lament.1.5. Revel. 14.19, 20.

3. I have trodden the pressed alone, and there was none of the nations with me; [Here Christ speaketh again, answering the former question concerning his power in subduing his enemies and redeeming his elect. (i have trodden the press alone) to wit, the press of God’s wrath, as may be gathered from Revel. 14.19. and 19.15. The meaning is, i have alone, without the help of man, executed the will and command of my heavenly father, concerning the punishing and destroying of the enemies of his church] there was none of the nations with me] Or, there hath been none of the nations by me, to help me to fight against the enemies and to conquer them. Understand here both spiritual and corporal enemies] and i have trodden them in mine anger, and have trampled them in my fury: and their strength is sprinkled upon my garments, [their power; that is, their blood, wherein in the strength of men confisteth. Or, their blood; that is; that is, the blood of their strong champions, others, their victory is sprinkled upon my garments; that is, their blood, a token of my victory over them] i have strained all raiment.

4. For the day of vengeance [To wit, that day which was ordained by God for vengeance, to punish the enemies of the church, and to deliver the elect. See above chap.34.8 and 61.2.] was in my heart: and they are of may redeemed was come. [That is the year, or the time of those that should be ran formed or redeemed by me. It seemeth that the prophet hath respect to the spiritual year of Jubilee.]

5. And i looked and there was none that helped; [Or when i looked about, and that there was no helper. Christ alone is our helper, Saviour and Redeemer, who hath developed us from the power of the devil and of eternal death. See above chapter 59.16 and 61.2] and i was astonished, [to wit, according to my humane nature. See math.26.38.] and there was none that supposed, therefore mine (own) arm brought salvation unto me, [That is, my divine power sustained me in my fore passion, that i fainted not under the heavy burden of Gods wrath, but bare the fame, and delivered my people from it and conquered all their enemies] and my fury [to wit, the fury wherewith i am incensed against the enemies of my church] it upheld me.

6. And i have trodden down the nations in mine anger, [That is, i have conquered the spiritual enemies being moved thereto by my zeal for Gods glory, and for the salvation of his elect] and i have made them drunk in my fury: [to wit, with the cup of my wrath, to their destruction. See this similitude likewise Psal. 60.5 and above chapter 24.20 and 49.26. and 51.17, 21, Jer.51.57. elsewhere] & i have caused their strength. [see above ver.3] to fall down to the earth.

7. I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord, the manifold praise of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath shewed us, and the great goodness towards the house of Isreal, which he hath shewed them, according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindness. [this the people of God speaketh, being now instructed concerning Christ, and his great acts, praising acts, praising him withal for the mercies which they had received of him, wishing and praying that they might be continued unto them. (the manifold praise of the Lord) Or various praise of the Lord: to wit, the praise for the good which the Lord hath done unto me, (according to all the Lord hath shewed us) heb. As according to all, to wit, according to all the good. Of the signification of the word shewing, see Psal.13 on vers.6.]

8. For he said, [To wit, when he made a convenant with our forefathers] surely they are my people, children (that) will not lie: [Or, that will not be false. God speaketh here after the manner of men, that hope the best of their children. And understand withal, but they will serve me sincerely, as true Israelites in whom there is no guile. Others, they will not degenerate, or grow out of kind; to wit, after i shall have begotten them again by mine holly Spirit] so he became their Saviour. [That is, he delivered them from their enemies.]

9. In all their distress he was distressed, [that is, he was distressed or grieved, because of the miseries which they endured in Egypt. Thus Christ is persecuted in his holy members, Acts 9:4. see also Matthew 25:45 and Zach. 2.8. Others, in all their distress was no distress. Understand withal, but a gracious fatherly chastening. Others, in all their distress he was no enemy or adversary, but the angel of his face saved them; as followeth in the text. The meaning is, he distressed them indeed but not as being their enemy] and the angel of his face [that is, the angel that is before his face, that taketh care of their salvation, to wit, Christ. Se Exod. Chap.23 the Annotat on ver. 10] saved them; by his love by his grace he redeemed them. [that is, he redeemed them because he loved them. Deut. 7 ver. 7,8 and he took them up, and he carried them [As if he had said, he laid them on his back and he carried them, as an Eagle carrieth her young ones. Compare this with Deut.32.11 and see likewise above chapter 46.4.] all the days of old. [Heb. All the days of antiquity, or age; as ver. 11 and 20, that is from the time that i called them to be my people. See of the Hebrew word, Jerem. 2 the Annot on ver. 20]

10. but they waxed rebellious, or but they rebelled. In Numb. 14.22. it is said that they tempted the Lord ten times. See the Annotat. There see likewise Psal. 78. Ver. 40.57 and Psal.95.9] and occasioned grief’s unto [Others grieved. See genes. 6 on vers. 6] his Holy Spirit: [Heb. The Spirit of his holiness. This Spirit they grieved, in regard they wilfully the will of God, which the Holy Ghost had revealed unto them by the word. See Ephes. 4.30.] therefore he was turned into an enemy unto them, He himself sought against them. [That is, he behaved himself as if he had been their enemy when he smote them in the wilderness. See Psal. 78.31,33,59,60.

11. Nevertheless he remembered the days of old [Wherein he indeed he smote them for their sins, but yet had compassion again on them, so that he did not utterly destroy them] Moses, (and) his people: (but now) where is he that brought them up out of the sea. [these and the words following the church of God seemeth to speak unto god by the way of complaint. Others take them to be the words of God: as if God had said, whereby should the glory of the Lord appear? To wit, if i would so proceed to punish my people according to their deserving. So the prophet should here bring in God as it were disputing with himself about his own honour. Compare Exod.32.11,12, (where is he that brought them up out of the sea,) To wit out of the Red Sea. Exod.14.21, the meaning is, how can that be, that i should now cast them off or forsake them, whereas i have hereto fore so faithfully brought and delivered them out of all trouble and danger?] with the shepherds of his flock? [Thus he calleth Moses and Aaron that led the people of Israel throw the wilderness, as shepherds do their sheep. See Psal.77.21.(of his flock) that is, of the children of Israel] where is that put his holy Spirit in the midst of them? [to wit, of the people, as vers.14.]

12. that caused the am of his glory to go on the right hand of Moses: [Or, that led them on the right hand of Moses (with) his glorious arm. That is who assisted Moses in his Hard Task, by his glorious power and divine help] that clave the waters [to wit, of the red sea, Exod.14.21 and afterward of Jordan. Jos.3. ver. 15,16.] before their faces, that he might make himself an everlasting name?

13. That led them throw the Abysses, [see Exod.15.9. Psal.6] as an horse in the wilderness. [To wit, buddle] therefore they stumbled not. [others, that they should not stumble.]

14. As a beast (that) goeth down into the valleys, did the spirit of the Lord gave them rest: so didst thou lead thy people, that thou mightiest thy self a glorious name. [here the people of God speak again. (as a beast) whether horse or cow. (did the spirit of the Lord give them) to wit, the people. (rest) or lead them softly (so didst thou) O Lord, (lead thy people) that thou mightiest make thy self a glorious name) the church now directeth her speech unto Hod, & entreated him to proceed in his wonted goodness]

15. Look from heaven and behold from thine holy and glorious habitation: [that is, from heaven, which is also called the habitation of his glory, Deut.26.15.] where are thy zeal, [for thy people and against thine enemies. It is spoken of God after the manner of men. See above chap.9. ver.6.] and thy strengths? [Or, thy powers; that is, thy mighty works, or miracles, as Matth.13.59] the sounding, [Or, the stirring, the sound. Others, the multitude] of thy bowels. [that is of thine heart] and of thy miracles? They are shut up against me, that is, they do not appear towards me as in former time. Others, art they shut up against me?]

16. yet thou art our Father, [Or, verify thou art our Father] for Abraham is ignorant of us, and Israel doth not know us: thou, o Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer, of old is thy Name, [that is, thou hast been our Redeemer of old, or from everlasting]

17. Lord, why doest thou make us error from thy waters? (why) dost thou harden [The Hebrew word is only found here and Job 39:9.] our heart that we should not fear thee? [Heb. [from thy fear. [The faithful speak here of the greatest part of the people. It is said of God, that he maketh men to erre, and that he hardeneth their hearts, not that he insured any error into them, but that he justify giveth men up to their perverse mind and to a spirit of error which maketh their heart fat and hard, Job 12.39,40. Romans 11:8.2. 2 Thes.2.11. but men do harden their own hearts and do erre from the way by committing sins. Psal.95.8, 10.] return [that is, do us good again] for thy servants sake, [that is, for our sake whom thou hast chosen for thy servants. Or, who are thy servants, in respect of the convenant which thou hast made with Braham, Isaac and Jacob promised them, that thou wouldest be the God of their seed] the tribes [to wit, the twelve tribes into which the people of God was divided] of thine inheritance. [that is, which thou hast taken for thine inheritance and doest possess them as thine inheritance: as Deut.32.9.]

18. Thine holy people possessed (it) [To wit, thy Land the land of Canaan which thou hadst given them. Or thy sanctuary, as here immediately followeth: both the one and the other being tokens of Gods favour] (but) a little while: [understand this thus, that they possessed it but a short time in rest and in peace. Whereof their sins were the cause, as appeareth, Deut. 11.ver 8,9,17.] our adversaries [to wit, the Babylonians] have trodden down thy sanctuary, [that is, thine holy temple, consisting (besides the courts) of the Holy places, and the holy of holies. Compare Psal.74.7.]

19. We [to wit, thy people, or they over whom thou bearest rule] are become [to wit, by reason of our sins and transgressions] (as they) over whom thou didst bear of old, and which were not called by thy name. [Or as the Hebrew run, upon thy name was not called. See this phrase, Deut.28.10. above chap.4.1 Dan.9.19.