Judgment but Redemption Isaiah 63-65

Introduction

To wrap up this study of Isaiah I am going to focus primarily on restoration, judgment, confession, and repentance. Isaiah deals alot with the millennial kingdom especially here in the last few chapters, but I will save that for another study. Instead, throughout our walk of Isaiah I have chosen to focus on “judgment BUT redemption”. The reason for this is because Isaiah’s message to his people has been very close to this thought. He warned Israel of coming judgment and despair, but he also reassured them with coming blessings and the Messiah who would bring redemption in His blood and conquer their enemies. So, after reading the judgment proclamations of Isaiah, we will read about the restoration of Israel, the judgment of the enemies of God, confessions of His people, and Repentance of sins. Because of this, today’s sermon will be focused on chapters 63, 64, and the first half of 65.

Judgment on God’s Enemies Isaiah 63:1-6

Edom and Bozrah Isaiah 63:1

In the first verse of chapter 63 we see a figure coming from Edom and from Bozrah in crimson stained clothes. This is a play on words because Edom translates to red, and Bozrah was a capital of Edom. Bozrah was also similar to the Hebrew word for “grape gatherer”. The intention here is to highlight the garments stained red.

Christ’s Wrath Isaiah 63:2-6

Again, we see the figure with red-stained clothes, and what is more, clothes stained as one who treads in a winepress. This is a picture of the judgment of Christ when He returns. This judgment is likened to the crushing in a winepress. The way they would crush grapes (and still do) is to gather all the grapes together into a giant tub, and walk over them over and over, crushing them entirely. This is how the judgment of the world is referred to under the wrath of Christ.

Confession of God’s People Isaiah 63:7-64:12

Israel remembers God’s salvation and their failures Isaiah 63:9-10

In the suffering of Israel, God also suffered. Most notably, He suffered as the Messiah on the cross. “The angel of his presence” is the angel of the Lord, which is the Lord Himself. He redeemed His people out of love and compassion, and they still rebelled against Him. Even though He became their enemy, in the following verses He remembers His love for them.

God still recognizes Israel Isaiah 63:16

Israel draws comfort from the fact that even though Abraham and Jacob (Israel) would not be able to recognize them as God’s original chosen people, God surely does. He is their Redeemer.

Everybody expects a mighty spectacle Isaiah 64:1-2

Again we see the expectation from the people of God. The heavens tearing open, mountains quaking, nations trembling. All of these things are what believers expect God to do when they call upon Him.

God welcomes the joyful servant Isaiah 64:5-7

God welcomes the one who joyfully does what is right, but Israel has sinned. Their sin carries them away, just as the sin of a believer will carry him away further than he can see.

Repentance of Sins Isaiah 65:1-16

God is found by the Gentiles Isaiah 65:1-2

God is found by the Gentiles, and not by His own people, who asked for Him. His own people ignore Him, but Gentiles and foreigners would bow before Him.

The majority of Israel continues to anger God Isaiah 65:3-7

For the most part, Israel continues in idol worship, consulting with the dead, and eating forbidden swine’s flesh.

The godly remnant Isaiah 65:8-9

Even though most of Israel continues in sin, there is a godly remnant that remains.