INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 63 This chapter contains a prophecy of the vengeance of Christ upon the enemies of his church in the latter day, whereby complete salvation would be obtained for them; and this illustrated by the mercies of God to the people of Israel of old; and is concluded with the church... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH FROM EDOM, WITH DYED GARMENTS FROM BOZRAH?.... These are not the words of the angels at the time of Christ's ascension to heaven; or of the people of Israel; but rather of the prophet, or of the church he represents; by whom this question is put, not concerning Michael the ar... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE ART THOU RED IN THY APPAREL,.... Christ having satisfied the church as to her first question, concerning his person, who he was; she puts a second to him, about the colour of his garments, which was red, and the reason of it. His garments at his transfiguration were white as snow, whiter t... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE TRODDEN THE WINEPRESS ALONE,.... This is an answer to the question before put, and confirms what was observed, that his garments were like one that treadeth in the winepress; this was very true, he had trodden it, and trodden it alone, and that was the reason his garments were of such a hue;... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE DAY OF VENGEANCE IS IN MY HEART,.... Resolved on with him, fixed by him, and which is desirable to him; he has it at heart, and longs as it were till the time is come to avenge the blood of his saints on the Romish antichrist, whom he will destroy with the breath of his mouth, and the bright... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I LOOKED, AND THERE WAS NONE TO HELP,.... As, in the first redemption and salvation by Christ here on earth, there were none among the angels, nor any of the sons of men, to help him and assist him therein, none but Jehovah the Father; so, in this latter salvation, the church and people of God w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL TREAD DOWN THE PEOPLE IN MINE ANGER,.... Isaiah 63:3, AND MAKE THEM DRUNK IN MY FURY; or with it s the wrath of God is signified by a cup, which he gives wicked men to drink, and which is an inebriating one to them, Psalms 75:8, and here it signifies the cup of the wine of the fiercenes... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MENTION THE LOVINGKINDNESSES OF THE LORD,.... These are the words of the prophet, as Jarchi and Kimchi observe; who, having heard what the Lord would do for his church and people in later times, by avenging them on their enemies, calls to mind the favours bestowed on Israel of old; and determ... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SAID, SURELY THEY ARE MY PEOPLE,.... Not in common with the rest of mankind, being his creatures, and the care of his providence; but his special people, whom he had chosen to be such, and had made a covenant with; he had avouched them for his people, and they had avouched him to be the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ALL THEIR AFFLICTION HE WAS AFFLICTED,.... That is, God, who said the above words; not properly speaking; for to be afflicted is not consistent with his nature and perfections, being a spirit, and impassible; nor with his infinite and complete happiness; but this is said after the manner of men,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY REBELLED,.... Against the Lord, not withstanding he thought so well of them; did so many good things for them; sympathized with them, and showed them so many favours; wretched ingratitude! they rebelled against the Lord in the times of Moses, at the Red sea, and in the wilderness, by their... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE REMEMBERED THE DAYS OF OLD, MOSES, AND HIS PEOPLE,.... Which may be understood either of the Lord, who remembered his lovingkindnesses towards these people, and his tender mercies which had been ever of old; the covenant he made with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the wonders he d... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT LED THEM BY THE RIGHT HAND OF MOSES WITH HIS GLORIOUS ARM,.... That is, through the Red sea, as the next clause shows: this was done by the right hand of Moses, and the rod in it, to which Kimchi thinks respect is had; who, by divine order, lifted up his rod, and stretched out his hand over the... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT LED THEM THROUGH THE DEEP,.... The depths, the bottom of the sea; not through the shallow, but where the waters had been deepest, the descent greatest; and at the bottom of which might have been expected much filth and dirt to hinder them in their passage, yet through this he led them: AS AN H... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A BEAST GOETH DOWN INTO THE VALLEY,.... Softly and gently, especially when laden; which may have some respect to the descent of the Israelites into the sea, into which they entered without any fear and dread, and without any hurry and precipitation, though Pharaoh's host was behind them; or rathe... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN,.... Here begins the prayer of the church and people of God, which continues to the end of the chapter, goes through the next, and the answer to which begins at Isaiah 65:1. Aben Ezra calls it the prayer of the wise in captivity: it seems to be the petition of some converts amo... [ Continue Reading ]
DOUBTLESS THOU ART OUR FATHER,.... Therefore why shouldst thou restrain thy mercies and bowels of compassion from us? or therefore look down upon us, and behold us; the church pleads her relation to God, and in a strong manner; faith of interest continued with her, though he hid his face from her. T... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, WHY HAST THOU MADE US TO ERR FROM THY WAYS, AND HARDENED OUR HEART FROM THY FEAR?.... These are the words, not of wicked men among the Jews, charging all their errors, hardness of heart, and wickedness they were guilty of, upon the Lord, as if he was the author and occasion of them, and led... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE OF THY HOLINESS HAVE POSSESSED IT BUT A LITTLE WHILE,.... Either the land of Canaan, which the Jews, the Lord's holy people, whom he had separated from others, possessed about fourteen hundred years, which was but a little while in comparison of "for ever", as was promised; or they enjoye... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE THINE,.... Thy children, thy people, thy subjects. Some read it, taking a word from the next clause, "we are thine of old", or "from everlasting" h; as the Lord's special people are, being chosen by him in Christ before the foundation of the world, and taken into an everlasting covenant by hi... [ Continue Reading ]