Isaiah 63
Big idea: A figure comes up the road from Edom in stained clothes and is asked why, and the answer is a winepress he worked alone. Then the chapter turns and becomes a prayer that runs unbroken to the end of the next one.
The prayer beginning at verse 7 continues through 64:12 without a break; the chapter division falls in the middle of it.
63:1–19 — I have trodden the wine press alone
The opening is staged as a challenge from a sentry: who is this coming from Edom, in crimson-stained garments from Bozrah — this one splendid in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? The answer identifies without explaining: it is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save. And the second question is the practical one: why is your clothing red, and your garments like one who treads the winepress? The image is answered on its own terms — I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the peoples there was no one with me. Their lifeblood is spattered on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing. Grape juice and blood are the same colour, and the poem does not soften the overlap. The reason given has two halves that belong together: the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed had come.
1 Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who is this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 Why is your clothing red, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat? 3 “I have trodden the wine press alone. Of the peoples, no one was with me. Yes, I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath. Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come. 5 I looked, and there was no one to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold. Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me. My own wrath upheld me. 6 I trod down the peoples in my anger and made them drunk in my wrath. I poured their lifeblood out on the earth.” 7 I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh and the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has given to us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. 8 For he said, “Surely, they are my people, children who will not deal falsely;” so he became their Savior. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?” 12 Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand? Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13 Who led them through the depths, like a horse in the wilderness, so that they didn’t stumble? 14 As the livestock that go down into the valley, Yahweh’s Spirit caused them to rest. So you led your people to make yourself a glorious name. 15 Look down from heaven, and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory. Where are your zeal and your mighty acts? The yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me. 16 For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, Yahweh, are our Father. Our Redeemer from everlasting is your name. 17 O Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways, and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of your inheritance. 18 Your holy people possessed it but a little while. Our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary. 19 We have become like those over whom you never ruled, like those who were not called by your name.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).