The March of the Victorious Warrior

In Isaiah chapter 62, we read on of the liberation of the Jews from captivity in Babylon and their restoration to their homeland.  Naturally, the question arises: Will the restored remnant of Jews need to fear further devastation from other enemy nations?   Isaiah's vision does much to allay their fear.  The prophecy begins:  "Who is this one coming from Edom, the one with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, this one who is honorable in his clothing, marching in the abundance of his power?" -Isaiah 63:1a.

Isaiah sees a warrior, energetic and triumphant, marching toward Jerusalem.  His magnificent clothing  indicates  that he is of the very highest rank.  He comes from the direction of Edom's most prominent city, Bozrah, suggesting that he has won a great victory over that enemy land. Who can this warrior be?  Some scholars identify him with Jesus Christ.  Others believe him to be the Jewish military leader Judas Maccabaeus.  However, the warrior himself indicates his own identity when he answers the following questions by saying: "I the One speaking in righteousness, the One abounding in power to save." -Isaiah 63:1b.

There is little question that this warrior is Jehovah God himself. Elsewhere, he is described as having an "abundance of dynamic energy" and as  "speaking what is righteous." (Isaiah 40:26; 45:19, 23)  The warrior's magnificent garments remind us of the psalmist's words: "O Jehovah my God, you have proved very great.  With dignity and splendor you have clothed yourself."  (Psalm 104:1) While Jehovah is the God of love, the Bible shows that he takes on the mantle of a warrior when necessary.-Isaiah 34:2; 1 John 4:16.

Why, though, is Jehovah returning from a battle in Edom?  The Edomites, perpetuators of an animosity that began with their forefather, Esau, are age-old enemies of God's covenant people.  (Genesis 25:24-34; Number 20:14-21)  The depth of Edom's hatred fro Judah became particularly evident during the desolation of Jerusalem when the Edomites cheered on the Babylonian soldiers.  (Psalm 137:7)  Jehovah takes such animosity as an offense against him personally.  No wonder that he determined to unleash his sword of vengeance against Edom! -Isaiah 34:5-15; Jeremiah 409:7-22.

Isaiah's vision is therefore of much encouragement to the Jews returning  to Jerusalem.  It assures them of safe dwelling in their new home. Indeed, by the days of the prophet Malachi, God made Edom's "mountains a desolate waste and his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness."  (Malachi 1:3) Does this mean, then, that Isaiah's prophecy was completely fulfilled by Malachi's day?   No, for in spite of its desolate condition, Edom was determined to rebuild its devastated places, and Malachi continue to call Edom "the territory of wickedness" and "the people whom Jehovah has denounced to time indefinite."  (Malachi 1:4, 5)  Prophetically, however, Edom encompasses more than the descendants of Esau.  It serves as a symbol of all the nations that prove themselves to be enemies of Jehovah's worshipers.  The nations of Christendom have been particularly prominent in this regard.  What will happen to this modern-day Edom?

Next time: The Winepress

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001