Isaiah 63

"I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior".

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 "And so he became their Savior...".

Why? Because God believes his people will be true to Him.

While Chapter 62 talks about the "Day of God's favor", the interim between Christ's first and second coming, Chapter 63 portrays "The year of God's vengeance"...Christ returning to put things right. This is the Messiah coming to Jerusalem, through Edom, with blood-soaked garments. He says "I  trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments,
and I stained all my clothing. It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come".

Edom, or Idumea,  was a Semite-inhabited region located south of Judea and the Dead Sea. The name means "red" in Hebrew, and was given to Esau by his father Isaac. Edom had been a thorn in the side of Israel for centuries. Ezekiel said "Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance upon them, therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom, and cut off from it man and beast; and I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword. And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel; and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath; and they shall know my vengeance, says the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 25:12-14)
Edom lives no more....

Why? Because God will protect those in whom He delights...whatever the cost. So think about this for a moment. If the Church shares in the eschatologic promises for Israel because we are the spiritual descendant of Israel, will the world's disobedient nations share in the punishment of Edom because they are the spiritual sons of Edom?

I'd say yes...

Let me ask this question: Since we are not citizens of this world...the Church is an independent nation called by God with citizenship in Heaven...when Christ returns to gather us home does it not seem likely that this is His final act of protection toward those in whom He delights? If so, shouldn't we be busy trying to help the citizens of this world transfer their own citizenship to Heaven before vengeance falls? Of course.

Live boldly out there today...