Introduction to Isaiah 63

Structure and Formatting

The third section of Part Eight of the book of Isaiah is similar in character to the first section. While there are still some promises of restoration and renewal, in much of this section the prophet once again threatens the people with divine judgment for their idolatry and wickedness. This third section begins with a description of how God looked for someone to help his people, but saw no one, and so he achieved salvation by his own power (63:5). This description uses the same language found at the end of the first section (59:16). This gives Part Eight the overall shape of a “chiasm.” This arrangement is an elegant way to conclude the entire book: First Section: Judgment Yahweh acts alone to bring salvation Second Section: Promise Yahweh acts alone to bring salvation Third Section: JudgmentChapter 63 presents one whole oracle in verses 1–6 and then the first part of another oracle in verses 7–19. That oracle continues in 64:1–12, and so it will be discussed in its entirety in the introduction to chapter 64.The first oracle in this chapter uses a question-and-answer format that’s common in Hebrew song and poetry. But one of the questions here, “Why is your clothing red and your garments like one treading in a winepress?” has a shocking answer. As this winepresswine press image from the natural world is interpreted in terms of the human world, it turns out that the wine is actually blood. Yahweh’s garments are stained and spattered with the blood of his opponents. The emphasis in this oracle is on how much Yahweh cares for those who trust in him, so that he will act to save them from injustice and oppression even if he must do so alone.There was longstanding hostility between Israel and the country of Edom. The Edomites even captured Israelites who had escaped from the destruction of Jerusalem and turned them back over to the Babylonians to be executed or enslaved. And so Edom is used to represent all of Israel’s enemies in prophecies like this one that envision worldwide judgment. The first oracle in Part Five (34:1–17) similarly uses Edom as a symbol for all of Israel’s enemies.