Major Prophets · Chapter 63 of 66

Isaiah 63

A mysterious warrior comes from Edom with garments stained red, having trodden the winepress of judgment alone, for the day of vengeance and the year of redemption had come. The chapter then turns to remember God's lovingkindness in the exodus, how in all Israel's affliction He was afflicted and carried them, though they grieved His Holy Spirit. It ends in anguished prayer, pleading with God to look down, for He is their Father and Redeemer.

What happens in Isaiah 63

A watchman sees a figure coming from Edom, from Bozrah, in crimson-stained garments, glorious in strength. He identifies himself as the one who speaks in righteousness, mighty to save. Asked why his clothes are red like one who treads the winepress, he answers that he has trodden the winepress alone; no one was with him. He trampled his enemies because the day of vengeance was in his heart and the year of his redeemed had come. His own arm brought salvation.

The chapter then shifts to praise, recounting the LORD's lovingkindnesses. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them. Yet they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit, so He turned against them. The passage recalls Moses and the exodus. It ends turning to prayer, pleading with God to look down, confessing Him as Father and Redeemer, and lamenting that adversaries have trodden down His sanctuary.

Isaiah 63 in context

This chapter sits near the end of Isaiah, moving from a vision of divine judgment to a communal lament that continues into chapter 64. The opening scene of the blood-stained warrior from Edom depicts God's decisive judgment on the nations, using the vivid image of treading grapes in a winepress.

Edom often symbolized hostile nations opposed to God's people. The second half is one of Scripture's tender recollections of the exodus, notable for saying God was afflicted in His people's affliction.

Main themes of Isaiah 63

Isaiah 63 (KJV)

1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. 7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. 9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? 12That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble? 14As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name. 15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? 16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. 17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. 18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary. 19We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

Verses to carry from Isaiah 63

“I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.”Isaiah 63:3

“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; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”Isaiah 63:9

“Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.”Isaiah 63:16

Reflection

This chapter holds together two truths hard to hold at once: God treads out judgment on evil alone, and God is afflicted in His people's afflictions. When you feel your own sanctuary trampled, follow the prayer here. Cling to Him as Father and Redeemer, pour out honest lament, and trust the God who shares your suffering.

A prayer from Isaiah 63