Isaiah continues to describe some future Day of judgment and restoration.
Isaiah 63:1-3, Red garments
Who is this coming from Edom,
from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson?
Who is this, robed in splendor,
striding forward in the greatness of his strength?
“It is I, proclaiming victory,
mighty to save.”
Why are your garments red,
like those of one treading the winepress?
“I have trodden the winepress alone;
from the nations no one was with me.
I trampled them in my anger
and trod them down in my wrath;
their blood spattered my garments,
and I stained all my clothing.
The winepress, staining one's garments red, is a metaphor for bloody justice. The winepress of blood appears in the New Testament in Revelation 14:18-20 and Revelation 19:11-21.
This passage plays on the name Edom, which means "red" and Bozrah which means "vintage" (Motyer,) Edom was long an enemy of Israel (see Numbers 20:14-21.) Bozrah was a major city of Edom, and so the nation of Edom and the city of Bozrah represent the nations opposed to Israel and YHWH.
Isaiah 63:4-6, YHWH alone
It was for me the day of vengeance;
the year for me to redeem had come.
I looked, but there was no one to help,
I was appalled that no one gave support;
so my own arm achieved salvation for me,
and my own wrath sustained me.
I trampled the nations in my anger;
in my wrath I made them drunk
and poured their blood on the ground.”
God alone has the power to judge the nations. In the last verse it is clear that the red of the winepress is really the blood of the nations. If these six verses are the voice of the Messiah, then here the Messiah is a conquering warrior, not a sacrificial servant.
Isaiah 63:7-9, Loved and redeemed
I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us—
yes, the many good things
he has done for Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
He said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will be true to me”;
and so he became their Savior.
In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.
Isaiah (or the Messiah) breaks up this prophecy with praise, telling of the kindness of YHWH in caring for His people. The Hebrew word ahabah is translated "love" while chemlah is translated "mercy." The Hebrew word ahabah is one of the first words one might learn in Hebrew -- it is written out just after 11:25 in this introductory video.
The word hesed occurs twice in verse 7, translated "kindness(es)" by the NIV.
Isaiah 63:10-14a, Rebellion
Yet they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit.
So he turned and became their enemy
and he himself fought against them.
Then his people recalled the days of old,
the days of Moses and his people—
where is he who brought them through the sea,
with the shepherd of his flock?
Where is he who set
his Holy Spirit among them,
who sent his glorious arm of power
to be at Moses’ right hand,
who divided the waters before them,
to gain for himself everlasting renown,
who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in open country,
they did not stumble;
like cattle that go down to the plain,
they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD.
The people rebelled against God. We recall the miracles of the Exodus, achieved by God's "Holy Spirit."
Verses 10 and 11 give a rare occurrence where "spirit" (rū·aḥ) is matched with "(his) Holy" (qā·ḏə·šōw.) Grogan cites Psalm 51:11 for the only other Old Testament occurrence.
Isaiah 63:14b-15, Come back
This is how you guided your people
to make for yourself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven and see,
from your lofty throne, holy and glorious.
Where are your zeal and your might?
Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.
God is called to return with His miraculous saving power.
Isaiah 63:16, Remember!
But you are our Father,
though Abraham does not know us
or Israel acknowledge us;
you, LORD, are our Father,
our Redeemer from of old is your name.
Even if Abraham has forgotten them, but still, YHWH remembers. Here Isaiah address YHWH as "Father", a more personal intimate plea.
Isaiah 63:17-19, Sanctuary trampled
Why, LORD, do you make us wander from your ways
and harden our hearts so we do not revere you?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes that are your inheritance.
For a little while your people possessed your holy place,
but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.
We are yours from of old;
but you have not ruled over them,
they have not been called by your name.
The people blame YHWH for their rebellion. Why did He harden their hearts? Despite God's promises to Israel, the sanctuary has been trampled by invaders.
Motyer sees verses 7-19, along with the next chapter, as a prayer by an intercessor for Israel. A response to that prayer is given in chapters 65 and 66, in the future appearance of a new Jerusalem.
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