A. J. MATTILL, Jr.
Let’s focus our attention on Isaiah 63:1-6: 1. The prophet asks, “Who’s this coming from the city of Bozrah? [Bozrah is the capital of Edom, a small nation southeast of Judea.] Who is this splendidly dressed in red, marching along in power and strength?” “It’s I, the Lord! I have won the battle, and I can save you!” 2. “Why is your clothing so red, like that of a man who tramples grapes to make war? “3. The Lord answers, “I have trampled the nations like grapes, and no one came to help me. I trampled them in my anger, and their blood has stained all my clothing. 4. I decided that the time to rescue my people had come. It was time to punish their enemies. 5. I was amazed when I looked and saw that there was no one to help me. But my anger made me strong, and I won the victory all by myself. 6. I was so furious that I trampled whole nations and shattered them. I poured out their lifeblood everywhere on earth.” —Based on Today’s English Version and Contemporary English Version.
Isaiah 63:1-6 is one of the most brutal portrayals of God in the Bible. The prophet paints an appalling picture of the Lord marching in blood-stained garments. Think of it! The Lord’s robes were soaked in the blood of his enemies. The divine warrior was besmeared with blood and dirt. The Lord was fighting mad, a man of war (see Exodus 15:3). In his wrath, he stamped on the peoples, broke them to pieces in his fury, and spilled their precious blood on the ground, where it ran like water.
Let’s ask ourselves a few questions. How can a good God behave so viciously and so vengefully? How can a good God be angry with the Edomites forever (Malachi 1:4)?
Note too that the Lord is a partial God who plays favorites, fighting for Israel, his chosen people, but shattering and trampling the Edomites and spilling their blood. As the Lord said, “Jacob [Israel] I have loved, but Esau [Edom] have I hated” (Romans 9:13; Malachi 1:3).
Stop and think! The God of Isaiah 63:1-6 is ferocious, frightful, and furious. He is an angry, bloodshedding, brutal God, indeed, a mean and murderous God. His motto is, “Kill, kill, kill!” Is that the kind of God you want to love, obey, and worship? Is that the kind of God you want your family and friends to love, obey, and worship? I doubt it.
Warning! Don’t think you’ll get rid of the bloodthirsty God of Isaiah 63:1-6 by tossing out the Old Testament and adhering to the New Testament. No way, for in the New Testament, Revelation 19:11-16 develops Isaiah 63:1-6 and pictures the Conquering Christ as a ferocious warrior wearing a robe dipped in blood. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword to strike the nations. God and Christ are masters of destruction.