Isaías 63

Isaías 63:1-6

MacArthur commenting on Isaiah 63 writes that "Messiah, coming as the Avenger approaching Jerusalem to reign after having avenged His people on His and their enemies (Ed: Note that Messiah is approaching Jerusalem coming from the south, coming from Bozrah and the land of Edom), is presented in imagery taken from the destruction of Edom, the representative in this picture of the last and most bitter foes of God and His people." Note that some commentaries such as Delitzsch see Isaiah's oracle as directed specifically against the literal nation of Edom, but that does not fit well with the context. As noted Isa 63:1-6 begins with the name Edom but then expands the "target audience" to the "peoples," (Isa 63:3, 6) which clearly takes the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy far beyond the nation of Edom. With garments of glowing colors ("in crimsoned garments") - As discussed below Isaiah sees Messiah coming from Bozrah with blood stained, albeit majestic garments. This fact is one which strongly suggests that when Messiah returns to triumph over His enemies, He first returns to Bozrah, where He begins "the great slaughter in the land of Edom" (Isa 34:5, See also the Map for proposed order of events in the final "Campaign of Armageddon.") Glowing (02556) (hamets) has a somewhat complicated etymology in the Hebrew lexicons. According to some entries it refers to that which is leavened or has yeast added. Other entries (Louw-Nida) state that it signifies to be stained crimson or brightly colored. The Septuagint translation of the Hebrew phrase uses the Greek word erythema (cf our English word describing "redness" of the skin) which describes a redness or that which is dyed red and which is used only in Isaiah 63:1. The NET Bible note renders the Hebrew as "bright red garments." The context (Isa 63:2) would support the interpretation of "red garments," for Isaiah proceeds to ask why are His garments red? In sum, it seems fair to say that the phrase "glowing garments" is better understood as "crimson (scarlet, red) stained garments." There is a play on words for Edom means red, and the One coming from Edom has His garments stained red! Fruchtenbaum writes that "garments of glowing colors" suggests that Messiah is arraying with His Shekinah Glory, and indeed Yeshua Himself declares that He will come "on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory." (Mt 24:30, Mk 13:26, Lk 21:27). In a passage most interpret as a reference to Messiah's Second Coming and which sounds like a description of His Shekinah Glory, the prophet Habakkuk writes " His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power." (Habakkuk 3:3-4-note) From Bozrah - Messiah is proceeding from Bozrah, and almost certainly is traveling northward to Jerusalem. Regarding Bozrah see location on map = modern-day Buseirah about 25 miles southeast of the Dead Sea. Bozrah means "sheep fold" or "fortress," (a few sources say the name Bozrah means "grape gatherer"!). It is interesting to note that the emblem of a winepress was stamped on the coins of Bozrah during the time of Roman rule. In addition the area of Seir (Edom) was well known for it's grape vineyards. This association probably explains Obadiah's use of a grape related figure of speech in his prophesy of Edom's destruction asking "If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings?" (Implying that Edom's destruction would be total!) (Obadiah 1:5+). Finally, it is notable that the famous city of Petra (See Images of Petra which some think equates with Sela/Cela) was characterized by rose (reddish) colored stone walls. Comment: As an interesting aside, many conservative commentators think that Petra (Sela/Cela) will be the place the believing Jewish remnant goes to seek shelter for the horrible three and a half year period Jesus called the Great Tribulation, (which corresponds to the "time of Jacob's Trouble [Distress]" - Jer 30:1-7, esp Jer 30:7+ - See Discussion of the relationship between Jacob's Trouble and the Great Tribulation) during which the Satanically empowered Antichrist will seek to destroy ALL Jews! (See Rev 12:6+ [1260 days = 3.5 years], specifically the Sheep in Bozrah) Marching (Buksbazen = "Swaying"; HCSB = "rising up proudly in His great might?" NET = "marches confidently") - Louw-Nida has an interesting definition of this verb tsa'ah, stating that it can mean to "stride, i.e., walk in a purposeful manner toward a goal, with a focus that the stride causes a slight stooping of the upper body, either due to a weight, or intensity or speed of the stride." Buksbazen - "Tsoch" is translated in the KJV as "traveling" or "marching." The Hebrew term means "to sway" and is descriptive of a mighty man as he marches. MESSIAH'S FIRST ANSWER Isaiah 63:1b It is I (cf Isa 43:25) - As determined from the context, this is clearly the Messiah speaking.