‏ Isaiah 63:1-3

CHAPTER 63

Is 63:1-19. Messiah Coming as the Avenger, in Answer to His People's Prayers.

Messiah, approaching Jerusalem after having avenged His people on His and their enemies, is represented under imagery taken from the destruction of "Edom," the type of the last and most bitter foes of God and His people (see Is 34:5, &c.).

1. Who--the question of the prophet in prophetic vision.

dyed--scarlet with blood (Is 63:2, 3; Re 19:13).

Bozrah--(See on Is 34:6).

travelling--rather, stately; literally, "throwing back the head" [Gesenius].

speak in righteousness--answer of Messiah. I, who have in faithfulness given a promise of deliverance, am now about to fulfil it. Rather, speak of righteousness (Is 45:19; 46:13); salvation being meant as the result of His "righteousness" [Maurer].

save--The same Messiah that destroys the unbeliever saves the believer.

2. The prophet asks why His garments are "dyed" and "red."

winefat--rather, the "wine-press," wherein the grapes were trodden with the feet; the juice would stain the garment of him who trod them (Re 14:19, 20; 19:15). The image was appropriate, as the country round Bozrah abounded in grapes. This final blow inflicted by Messiah and His armies (Re 19:13-15) shall decide His claim to the kingdoms usurped by Satan, and by the "beast," to whom Satan delegates his power. It will be a day of judgment to the hostile Gentiles, as His first coming was a day of judgment to the unbelieving Jews.

3. Reply of Messiah. For the image, see La 1:15. He "treads the wine-press" here not as a sufferer, but as an inflicter of vengeance.

will tread ... shall be ... will stain--rather preterites, "I trod ... trampled ... was sprinkled ... I stained."

blood--literally, "spirited juice" of the grape, pressed out by treading [Gesenius].