Isaiah 63:9-13 – Saved by Another
Verse 9 looks at all the affliction of Israel up to this time. In God’s love and pity He determines to deliver them. The great deliverance from Egypt was surpassed by an even greater one for the true Israel of God who had a Saviour Who came in love to deliver them. The “angel of his presence” in this verse refers back to the “angel of God” that was in the pillar of cloud and fire in Exodus 14:19. This is Jesus, the Messenger of God’s Presence, the One Who brings salvation. His affliction in our affliction looks not just to the sacrifice of the lamb at Passover but refers to Christ’s death on the cross. His love and pity pushed Him to lay aside His glory and His presence with His Father, to live, to die for sinners, and to redeem them from slavery to sin. He bears long with them in their sin, and He carries them all the way to the Land of Promise.
Verse 10 speaks of the Israel after the flesh, those part of Israel but who had no redeemed heart, and who responded to God with rebellion and wickedness, grieving the Holy Spirit. (Some people think the Holy Spirit is a force not a Person, but this verse shows He is a Person, because a force cannot be grieved.) God turns against this Israel after the flesh with many judgments. Many of Israel in the flesh perished miserably and in astonishing ways. The Israel of God endured hardship and difficulty too. Yet in all this, God held them, kept them, and used the discipline to make them godlier.
In verses 11-13 the faithful remnant are looking back and seeing that God wonderfully did deliver His people. They are looking at Exodus 14 and 15, the deliverance of the people from Pharaoh’s armies and their joy and rejoicing there on the far side of the sea. It’s very useful for God’s people to remember God’s former mercies, knowing that God does not change. His mercies in the past really do secure His mercies in the present and His mercies in the future. He is the same God with the same holy, gracious, and good character. He shepherds His people, He sends His Holy Spirit. This good God Who does wonders of goodness, this covenant God is the One Who loves His people. He is willing to save His people. He is able to save them to the uttermost because this good God, this covenant God, is the mighty One who is powerful to save!
Question
- What things do these verses tell us about Christ?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that Christ is willingand able to save.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.