'Mighty to save.'--ISAIAH lxiii. 1.
We have here a singularly vivid and dramatic prophecy, thrown into the
form of a dialogue between the prophet and a stranger whom he sees from
afar striding along from the mountains of Edom, with elastic step, and
dyed garments. The prophet does not recognise him, and asks who he is.
The Unknown answers, 'I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.'
Another question follows, seeking explanation of the splashed crimson
garments of the stranger, and its answer tells of a tremendous act of
retributive destruction which he has recently launched at the nations
hostile to 'My redeemed.'
Now we note that this prophecy follows, both in the order of the book
and in the evolution of events, on those in chapter lxi., which
referred to our Lord's work on earth, and in chapter lxii, which has
for part of its theme His intercession in heaven. And we are entitled
to take the view that the place as well as the substance of this
prophecy referred to the solemn act of final Judgment in which the
returning Lord will manifest Himself. Very significant is it that the
prophet does not recognise in this Conqueror, with blood-bespattered
robes, the meek sufferer of chapter liii., or Him who in chapter lxi.
came to bind up the broken-hearted. And very instructive is it that the
title in our text comes from the stranger's own lips, as relevant to
the tremendous act of judgment from which He is seen returning. The
title might seem rather to look back to the former manifestation of Him
as bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows. It does indeed, thank
God, look back to that never-to-be-forgotten miracle of mercy and
power, but it also brings within the sweep of His saving might the
judgment still to come.