Consideration of the Past
December 5, 2020
Commentary
The prophet asked two questions which were answered (vv. 1-3). (1) Who is this (v. 1)? He will come from Edom, the wicked nation southeast of Israel. Edom was a constant enemy of Israel despite its common ancestry in Isaac (Gen. 25:23). (2) Why are your garments red (v. 2)? They are stained with blood (v. 3) from slaughtering His enemies in Edom. The day of vengeance had arrived, and He had finally punished the evil doers. His bloody victory was not due to a temper out of control but was part of the plan of God. That day will bring doom to the Lord’s enemies, it will mean deliverance for His covenant people who trust in Him (v. 6).
Isaiah reflected on the loyal love of the Lord toward His people Israel (v. 7). God had elected Israel as His son. This was not due to anything in Israel but totally due to God’s loving selection of them for special blessing (v. 8). The Israelites had committing themselves to Him (Exod. 19:8) (v. 9). But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit (v. 10). Having experienced the chastening of the Lord for some time, the Israelites reflected on former times when God had fought for His people rather than against them (v. 11). He had manifested His power through Moses as He divided the Red Sea and the Jordan River (v. 12). He led them as their deliverer and made them sure-footed (v. 13). He gave His people rest in Canaan (v. 14).
Isaiah appealed to God on behalf of the nation, to have pity on Israel (vv. 15-19). He called on Him to look down from heaven, on His people below and reminded Him that He was Israel’s true father (vv. 15-16). God allows people to sin, but He does not make it inevitable that they sin (v. 17). The holy people that the Lord had redeemed possessed the temple only briefly (v. 18). The Israelites had become like any other nation with whom God had no special relationship (v. 19).
Application
No matter now wicked and sinful the people of this world become, God has the future all planned and I don’t need to be concerned about the outcome, as it is all in His hands.
Isaiah 63:1–19 (NET)
1 Who is this who comes from Edom, dressed in bright red, coming from Bozrah? Who is this one wearing royal attire, who marches confidently because of his great strength? “It is I, the one who announces vindication, and who is able to deliver!”
2 Why are your clothes red? Why do you look like someone who has stomped on grapes in a vat?
3 “I have stomped grapes in the winepress all by myself; no one from the nations joined me. I stomped on them in my anger; I trampled them down in my rage. Their juice splashed on my garments, and stained all my clothes.
4 For I looked forward to the day of vengeance, and then payback time arrived.
5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was shocked because there was no one offering support. So my right arm accomplished deliverance; my raging anger drove me on.
6 I trampled nations in my anger; I made them drunk in my rage; I splashed their blood on the ground.”
7 I will tell of the faithful acts of the Lord, of the Lord’s praiseworthy deeds. I will tell about all the Lord did for us, the many good things he did for the family of Israel, because of his compassion and great faithfulness.
8 He said, “Certainly they will be my people, children who are not disloyal.” He became their deliverer.
9 Through all that they suffered, he suffered too. The messenger sent from his very presence delivered them. In his love and mercy he protected them; he lifted them up and carried them throughout ancient times.
10 But they rebelled and offended his holy Spirit, so he turned into an enemy and fought against them.
11 His people remembered the ancient times. Where is the one who brought them up out of the sea, along with the shepherd of his flock? Where is the one who placed his holy Spirit among them,
12 the one who made his majestic power available to Moses, who divided the water before them, gaining for himself a lasting reputation,
13 who led them through the deep water? Like a horse running through the wilderness they did not stumble.
14 As an animal that goes down into a valley to graze, so the Spirit of the Lord granted them rest. In this way you guided your people, gaining for yourself an honored reputation.
15 Look down from heaven and take notice, from your holy, majestic palace! Where are your zeal and power? Do not hold back your tender compassion!
16 For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, Lord, are our father; you have been called our Protector from ancient times.
17 Why, Lord, do you make us stray from your ways, and make our minds stubborn so that we do not obey you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance!
18 For a short time your special nation possessed a land, but then our adversaries knocked down your holy sanctuary.
19 We existed from ancient times, but you did not rule over them; they were not your subjects.
C.S. Lewis – Love Your Neighbor
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