Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 63

Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like him that treads in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was no one with me; for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come. And I looked, and there was no one to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in my anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

It is a dark and terrible time; no one at God's side, his people discouraged, Edom triumphant. Then comes the one great Hero of the gospel, the Christ of God; and by his own unaided strength he wins for his people a glorious victory. He is as terrible to his foes as he is precious to his friends. He stands before us as the one hope of his ancient church. There is a picture Isaiah was inspired to paint.

Now the prophet goes on to say: –

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?

Who can HE be, this mysterious personage, this friend of God's people, this destroyer of their enemies? Who can HE be?

"Who is this that comes from Edom,
All his raiment stained with blood;
To the slave proclaiming freedom;
Bringing and bestowing good:
Glorious in the garb he wears,
Glorious in the spoils he bears?"

This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

He that has come to save us is majestic in his person, but he is also mighty in his power to save. When we ask, "Who is this?" the answer comes to us: I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Listen to this, you who feel that you are great sinners, you who know that you need a mighty Saviour. Here is one able to do for you all that you need. He comes from the field of battle, from the place of conquest, where he has fought the fight on your behalf, and won for you the victory over sin, and death, and hell. Who is he?

"It is the Saviour, now victorious,
Travelling onward in his might;
It is the Saviour, oh, how glorious
To his people is the sight!
Jesus now is strong to save;
Mighty to redeem the slave."

Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me:

In all Christ's redeeming work he was alone. None could help him to redeem his people. He must alone pay the ransom price.

None could help him in his last great battle, when he stood forth as the sole Champion of all whom his Father had given to him.

"Death and hell will he dethrone,
By his single arm alone."

For I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

It was the day of vengeance on the enemies of God, vengeance on sin and death, and hell; and it was the year of redemption for the great host of believers in Christ, for whom his garments were dyed in his own most precious blood. Notice how the great redeemer speaks of his chosen people: My redeemed.

And 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. And 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.

Dear friends, I will not go into a full explanation of these verses just now; I have often explained them to you; but this is the one lesson that they teach, there is a Saviour mighty to save. Nothing can destroy those who put their trust in him; he will overthrow every enemy of our souls if we take him to be our Saviour. Now the prophet speaks again.