"Having described the exaltation of Zion and her enlargement through the influx of the Gentiles, the prophet turns to describe the destruction of Zion's enemies."701
"The oracle is most dramatic. The only OT passage that in any way resembles it is the account of Joshua's encounter with the angelic captain of the Lord's host (Josh. 5:13-6:5). There too, as here, there are two questions and two answers; and there is a similar anxious inquiry: Are you for us or for our enemies?'"702
63:1 Isaiah described a watchman observing a Warrior coming from the southeast, the direction of Edom (red) and its capital Bozrah (vintage; cf. 52:8). Edom was Israel's perennial enemy, but here it represents, by synecdoche, all Israel's enemies. This Warrior was coming to Israel having defeated Israel's enemies. He was a mighty man, strong and majestic, wearing vivid garments. The Warrior identified Himself as someone who speaks (cf. John 1:1-2, 14). This is the outstanding characteristic of God from Genesis 1:3 to Revelation 21:5. His words were right and His strength was for salvation.
63:2 The watchman asked the Warrior why His garments were red, stained red as when one treads grapes in a wine press (cf. 5:2).
63:3 The Warrior replied that He had indeed been treading grapes, but not literal ones. He had been angry with these grapes, and their juice had stained His garments. Furthermore, He had trodden them by Himself; no one had assisted Him in His task (cf. 44:24).
63:4 The Warrior continued to explain that this treading judgment was so redemption might come. The day of vengeance had arrived, and He had finally punished evildoers (cf. 61:2). His bloody victory was not due to a temper out of control but was part of the plan of God.
"The work of redemption was accomplished in chapter 53, but from 56:1 onwards the people were called to wait for the promised salvation. The ensuing chapters reveal the need to be rescued from a stressful and hostile environment and from the plague of sin and failure (57:1ff.; 58:1-59:13). Thus, when the Anointed One acts as mighty to save(1) and when the day of my redeemed' has come, the burden of the activity is the exaction of final vengeance on every foe."703
63:5 The Warrior found no one to help Him execute His task, so He did it all Himself. His own arm brought the salvation that resulted from His executing wrath against His enemies (cf. 59:16).
"Verse 5 reminds us of Revelation 5 and the search for someone to open the Book of Destiny, with its revelation of the ultimate judgments. This in fact testifies to the universality of sin."704
63:6 The Warrior explained that He had trodden down the people whom He purposed to judge and had slain them. He explained that the figure of treading grapes represented putting human beings to death.
This is a picture of Messiah coming to the earth at His second advent and defeating Israel's enemies (cf. 52:7-12; Zech. 14:3; Rev. 14:17-20; 16:16; 19:13, 15-21). The enemies are unbelievers living in the Great Tribulation who refuse to accept the Warrior's previous self-sacrifice for their sins, hostile enemies of the Israelites (cf. Rev. 12:15-17).
