LXIII.
(1) WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH FROM EDOM?... — There is no apparent
connection between Isaiah 63:1 and what precedes and follows. They
must be dealt with, accordingly, as a separate section, though not, as
some critics have suggested, by a different writer. To understand its
relation to the prop... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE ART THOU RED...? — The wondering question shows that the
colour is not that of the warrior’s usual dress. The Hebrew word for
“red” (_âdom_) connects itself with Edom (comp. Genesis 25:30),
as _batsir_ (“vintage”) probably with Bozrah.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE TRODDEN THE WINEPRESS ALONE... — The “winepress” is here,
as elsewhere (Joel 3:13; Lamentations 1:15; Revelation 14:18), the
received symbol of the carnage of battle. What the hero-conqueror
asserts is that the battle was fought by him single-handed. He had no
human allies, but God was with h... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAY OF VENGEANCE IS. — Better, in both clauses, _was,_ as
pointing to the motive of the action, of which the blood-stained
garments were the result.
THE YEAR OF MY REDEEMED... — Better, _the year of my redemption,_
scil., the work of redeeming my people.... [ Continue Reading ]
I LOOKED... — As in Isaiah 1:2, the absolute isolation of the
avenger and redeemer is emphasised again and again. Nothing but his
own indomitable and righteous zeal against evil had sustained him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL TREAD DOWN... — Better, _I trod;_ and so throughout the
verse.
MAKE THEM DRUNK, implies a change of imagery from that of the battle
to that of the cup of wrath, as in Isaiah 51:17; Psalms 75:8; Jeremiah
25:15. The section which thus closes has often been applied (as,
_e.g.,_ in the Prayer-Boo... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MENTION... — The words begin an entirely new section, of the
nature of a psalm of thanksgiving for redemption (Isaiah 63:16).
Possibly, in the arrangement of the book it was thought that such a
psalm followed rightly on the great dramatic dialogue which
represented the victory of the Redeemer... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SAID... — The words throw us back to the starting-point of
God’s covenant with His people, based, so to speak, on the
assumption that they would not fail utterly in the fulfilment of their
promises. (Comp. Exodus 19:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ALL THEIR AFFLICTION... — Literally, _there was affliction to
Him._ So taken, the words speak of a compassion like that of Judges
10:16. The Hebrew text gives, _In all their affliction there was no
affliction: i.e.,_ it was as nothing compared with the salvation which
came from Jehovah. The Autho... [ Continue Reading ]
VEXED HIS HOLY SPIRIT... — Literally, _his Spirit of holiness._ So
St. Paul speaks of Christians as “grieving the Holy Spirit.” Here,
and in Psalms 51:11, as in the “Angel of the Presence,” we may
note a foreshadowing of the truth of the trinal personality of the
unity of the Godhead, which was afte... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE REMEMBERED... — The readings vary, and the construction is
difficult. Probably, the best rendering is, _His people remembered the
ancient days of Moses._ In any case, it is Israel that remembers, and
by that act repents. (Comp. the tone and thoughts of Psalms 77, 78,
105, 106)
WITH THE SHEP... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH HIS GLORIOUS ARM. — Literally, _with the arm of His glory,_ or
_majesty._ This, the arm of the Unseen Guide, is thought of as
accompanying the leader of Israel, ready to grasp his hand and support
him in time of need.
DIVIDING THE WATER. — The words may include the passage of the
Jordan, but r... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT LED THEM... — Each comparison is singularly appropriate. Israel
passes through the sea as a horse through the wide grassy plain (not
the sandy desert, as “wilderness” suggests). Then, when its
wanderings are over, it passes into Canaan, as a herd of cattle
descends from the hills into the rich... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN... — The form of the prayer reminds us of 2
Chronicles 6:21. Perhaps there is a latent remonstrance, as though
Jehovah, like an Eastern king, had withdrawn to the recesses of His
palace, and had ceased to manifest His care and pity for His people,
as He had done of old.
THE SO... [ Continue Reading ]
DOUBTLESS THOU ART OUR FATHER, THOUGH ABRAHAM... — Better, _For
Abraham is ignorant of us._ The passage is striking as being an
anticipation of the New Testament thought, that the Fatherhood of, God
rests on something else than hereditary descent, and extends not to a
single nation only, but to all... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY HAST THOU MADE US TO ERR... — The prophet identifies himself
with his people, and speaks as in their name. Have their sins led God
to abandon them, and to harden their hearts as He hardened
Pharaoh’s? (Comp. Romans 9:17.) Are they given over as to a
reprobate mind? Against that thought he finds... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE OF THY HOLINESS... — Better, _For a little while have
they possessed thy sanctuary,_ or, with a various reading, _thy holy
mountain._ The plea is addressed to Jehovah, on the ground of His
promise that the inheritance was to be an everlasting one. Compared
with that promise, the period of... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE THINE... — _Thine,_ as the italics show, is not in the
Hebrew, and its insertion distorts the meaning. Better, _We are become
as those over whom Thou hast never ruled, upon whom Thy name hath
never been called_ (Cheyne). What the prophet presents as a plea is
not the contrast between Israel a... [ Continue Reading ]