"WHO IS THIS?" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 6/3/25

“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isaiah 63:1)

Who is this mighty conqueror that Isaiah sees in prophetic vision? God had just before, in the end of the previous chapter announced His coming: “Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.” Now as He comes, Isaiah appears to be struck with awe, shouting “Who is this?”

Israel was often in great trouble, frequently oppressed by neighboring nations. It would not have been so had they been faithful to Jehovah, but as chastisement for their idolatry ever they were given over into the hands of adversaries. The Edomites, the seed of Esau, were even ready to form alliances with whatever enemy came against Israel. Thus, Edom was a typical enemy of the Israelites, and is in that manner mentioned here with Bozrah, its capital city.

The Lord God of Israel often interposed to rescue His people. He would empower an enemy nation against them for their correction; then He would come to their rescue. As the prophet Hosea assured Ephraim, “…he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.” (Hos. 6:1) Any one of the Lord’s appearances for the overthrow of Israel’s enemies may be represented in the language now before us. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments of Bozrah?”

However, what Isaiah here sees in prophetic vision is something much greater. It is with profound amazement that he views our Mighty Savior returning victorious from the fight in which He destroys the captor of His people and leads captivity captive. The previous announcement was “Behold, thy salvation cometh, and His reward is with Him.” Who could it be but the same glorious conqueror that John saw in the nineteenth chapter of The Revelation?

The passage is poetical: the battle is a spiritual one, and the conflict is with the powers of darkness. Our Lord’s passion was the battle of all battles. His whole life’s campaign turned upon it. His face was set like a flint to engage it, and He was straitened until it be accomplished. Had He not, there and then, vanquished all our adversaries, there had been no Gospel to preach. But, blessed be His Name, He went even into Edom and Bozrah, even into death. He then returned in the resurrection with the keys of death and of hell, and gives to His people victory over death, hell, and the grave.

As the prophet beholds this Mighty Conqueror returning from the battle with garments dyed red with the blood of the enemy mingled with His own, he cries “Who is this?” We know that the holy prophets of old saw and wrote of things concerning Christ that they did not fully understand, but with great desire searched to know more. (I Pet. 1:10, 11)

Who is this? This question might be asked for a number of reasons. Perhaps someone is asking out of ignorance. Despite recorded history, and all that is written in Scripture, many are ignorant of who Jesus is, why He came; why He died on the cross, and why salvation can be found only in Him. Many religious people are among the ignorant. The Jews, with all their advantages, were ignorant of their own Messiah. (I Cor. 2:8)

In this question, we might also detect a note of anxiety: “Who is this?” Who is the warrior drenched in blood that espouses my cause? Is He up to the task? Is He able to deliver me from my strong enemy? Is He willing to save me? If some anxious soul is so asking, rest assured He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by Him. (Heb. 7:25)

It is with profound amazement and adoration that we perceive the prophet is asking, as we all should be. If any reading this is sincerely asking after Him, and I hope some are, let the Savior answer for Himself. “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” He is the living Word of God, and His Words are just and righteous. He is mighty to save you, and clearly, He is willing.