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 ]