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At the beginning of Isaiah 63, we find a familiar theme in Scripture. There is someone with blood-stained clothes who is robed in splendor and striding forward in the greatness of strength. This can be none other than Jesus Christ. He is the blood-stained Warrior who will claim victory over His enemies. How do we know it is Christ and how do we know it is describing Him being victorious over His enemies?
Edom is mentioned because it was frequently used as a metaphor for Israel’s enemies (Psalm 137:7; Lamentations 4:21-22; Ezekiel 25:12; 35:1-5, Obadiah 13-14). Edom was famous for its wine-making and Bozrah was one of the most famous towns in Edom. On top of this, the pronoun “I” which is used in verse 3 also refers to Christ in Revelation 19. Put this all together and you can begin to see what the symbolism is communicating.
“I trampled the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with me. I trampled them in my anger and ground them underfoot in my fury; their blood spattered my garments, and all my clothes were stained.”
Isaiah 63:3 CSB
With graphic imagery, Isaiah paints a picture of Christ pressing out the juice of the winepress.
“His victory is pictured as a farmer pressing out the juice on the winepress. Christ’s first miracle on earth was turning water into wine; His last victory before establishing His kingdom on earth will be treading out the winepress of His wrath.”
Warren Wiersbe
In the following verses, we read exactly why Jesus had to do this. He is defending Israel. He is redeeming His people.
“I will make known the LORD’s faithful love and the LORD’s praiseworthy acts, because of all the LORD has done for us—even the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, which he did for them based on his compassion and the abundance of his faithful love. [8] He said, “They are indeed my people, children who will not be disloyal,” and he became their Savior.”
Isaiah 63:7-8 CSB
If you remember, when Jesus came the first time He wept as He looked over the city of Jerusalem. He mourned Israel’s rejection of their Messiah.
“As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, [42] saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. [43] For the days will come on you when your enemies will build a barricade around you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. [44] They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.””
Luke 19:41-44 CSB
Here in Isaiah 63, Jesus cries out in prayer for Israel. It has been a long time coming. This time, Jesus is returning as judge and conqueror. He will allow nothing to stand in the way of redemption for Israel. The rest of the verses recount the history of Israel and the fact that Jesus was there as a witness to it all. He understands their affliction and their shortcomings.
The prayer here is an acknowledgment of sin and a plea for help. It’s a call for Jesus. Just like Israel, we need an advocate who can wipe away our sinful ways forever. This is the heart of the prayer at the end of this chapter and it should reflect our own heart today. We are so blessed to be on the other side of Jesus’ sacrifice. We no longer have to call out to God for a mediator because He has already come!