Question 1

Who is the person coming from Edom with dyed garments in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The passage shows a powerful figure coming from Edom and Bozrah, dressed in glorious clothes that are stained red. The answering voice says, “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” This points to the Lord himself, pictured as a warrior and savior. He is the one who keeps his promises, judges his enemies, and saves his people. The language is too great to fit any ordinary human leader. Many readers understand this as a picture of the Messiah returning from victory over all who oppose God and his people.

Question 2

Why are the Lord’s garments red like someone who tread the winepress?

Accepted Answer

The Lord’s garments are described as red, like the clothes of someone who has been treading grapes in a winepress. This is a picture of judgment. Instead of grape juice splashing on his clothes, it is the blood of his enemies. He says, “I have trodden the winepress alone,” meaning he has crushed those who fought against him and his people. The red garments show that judgment is not clean or gentle, but very serious, and that he has fully carried it out himself.

Question 3

What does it mean that the Lord has trodden the winepress alone?

Accepted Answer

When the Lord says, “I have trodden the winepress alone,” he is saying that no one stood with him to help in this work of judgment and salvation. He looked and found no one to uphold, so his own arm brought salvation and his own fury upheld him. This teaches that God does not depend on human strength to defeat evil or to rescue his people. Salvation and judgment are his work from start to finish. People are helpless to fix sin or stop God’s enemies by themselves, so he steps in alone.

Question 4

What is the ‘day of vengeance’ and the ‘year of my redeemed’ in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The “day of vengeance” is the time God has set in his heart to punish his enemies and all who oppress his people. It is not random or out of control, but a settled decision. The “year of my redeemed” speaks of a season of rescue and release for those who belong to him. These two ideas stand together: when God judges his enemies, he is at the same time freeing and vindicating his people. For them it is a year of favor, even though for their enemies it is a day of wrath.

Question 5

Why does the Lord say there was none to help or uphold him?

Accepted Answer

The Lord says he looked and “there was none to help” and “none to uphold.” This shows how weak and unable people are when it comes to dealing with sin, evil powers, and deep spiritual enemies. No nation, army, or leader can truly bring the salvation God’s people need. So God acts by his own arm, without needing human support. This makes it clear that rescue belongs to him alone. It also exposes human neglect and ingratitude, since many will not stand with his cause, yet he still saves his own.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s anger and justice?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God’s anger is real, but it is not wild or unfair. The day of vengeance is “in my heart,” meaning it is settled in his purpose. He treads down the peoples, sprinkles their blood on his garments, and brings their strength down to the earth. This sounds severe because sin and hatred toward God are serious. Yet his anger is tied to love for his redeemed. He judges those who harm his people and refuse his rule, and at the same time he brings deliverance to those who trust him.

Question 7

Why does this passage use such violent images of treading and blood?

Accepted Answer

The images of treading a winepress, trampling in fury, and blood on garments can be hard to read. They are meant to show how serious God’s judgment is and how complete his victory will be over all who oppose him. In those days, crushing grapes in a winepress was a common sight, so this picture helped people feel the weight and pressure of judgment. It is not telling believers to be cruel, but to understand that God will not ignore evil forever and that justice will finally be done.

Question 8

How can believers today apply the message of this passage?

Accepted Answer

Believers can take several things to heart from this passage. First, they can rest in the truth that God is not blind to injustice or persecution, and he will act in his time. Second, they should remember that salvation is God’s work alone, not something earned by human strength. Third, the passage calls for patience, since the “day” and “year” come when God appoints them. Finally, it should stir a holy respect for God’s holiness and a deeper thankfulness that, in his mercy, he counts his people among the redeemed, not among his enemies.

Isaiah 63:1

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

God’s Vengeance on the Nations

Cross References

Isaiah 63:1

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

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God’s Vengeance on the Nations

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