Isa 63:1-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 63:1-6: 63:1-6 The judgment of Edom typifies God’s judgment of all the nations (see also 34:5-15 ). 63:1 The Lord’s robes are stained red with blood (63:3 ; cp. Rev 19:13 ). • The name Bozrah (Hebrew botsrah ) is a wordplay on the verb batsar (“gather grapes”).

Summary for Isa 63:1-6: 63:1-6 ^a The judgment of Edom typifies God’s judgment of all the nations (see also 34:5-15 ^b). 63:1 ^c The Lord’s robes are stained red with blood (63:3 ^d; cp. Rev 19:13 ^e).

• The name Bozrah (Hebrew botsrah) is a wordplay on the verb batsar (“gather grapes”).
63:2 ^f The term red (Hebrew ’adom) is a wordplay on the name Edom.
63:4 ^g the time ... to avenge my people: See study note on 34:8.

• to ransom: See study note on 43:1.
63:6 ^h made them stagger: The wicked nations would be forced to drink from the intoxicating cup of God’s wrath (49:26 ⁱ; 51:17 ^j, 21 ^k).
Summary for Isa 63:7-14: 63:7-14 ^l The prophet reflects on Israel’s past, how God showed his unfailing love and how his people alternatively rebelled against him, suffered hardship, returned to the Lord, and experienced his blessing. 63:7 ^m unfailing love ... all he has done ... his great goodness: The whole history of God’s care for his people demonstrates his compassion, provision, and protection.
63:8 ⁿ They are my very own people: God’s possession of and commitment to his people was central to the covenant (see 43:1 ^o).

• they will not betray me: The Lord expected his own people to honor their relationship with him, unlike the nations, whose story is a history of treachery (Gen 3–11 ^p). But Israel, too, betrayed their God (Isa 63:10 ^q).

• their Savior: God rescued and protected his people (see 43:3 ^r).
63:9 ^s he also suffered: God identified with his suffering people, and their suffering brought him grief. Later, Jesus suffered on behalf of all humanity.

• and he personally rescued them: e.g., see Exod 12:25-33 ^t; 14:10-31 ^u; 23:20-23 ^v.