公義審判與慈愛拯救之間 (賽六十三)中英bilingual

他們在一切苦難中，他也同受苦難；並且他面前的使者拯救他們；他以慈愛和憐憫救贖他們；在古時的日子常保抱他們，懷搋他們。（賽 63：9） 

以賽亞書63章承接62章「救恩的宣告」，進一步啟示神親自施行「公義審判」與「慈愛拯救」的作為。 

先知以｢完成式｣口吻，看見一位從以東首都波斯拉而來的全能者。祂衣袍被染紅，滿有能力與威榮；眾人卻以｢未來式｣的方式想像神以「公義」審判列國，並親自完成拯救的圖像。 

經文在公義審判上特別強調：「我獨自踹酒醡，眾民中無一人與我同在」(參賽 63：3a） ，這顯明神在審判與拯救上的絕對權能；祂的作為不倚靠人，也不受限制，救恩完全出於祂的主動與能力，人只能謙卑領受。  

先知親眼目睹公義與慈愛同歸於神的屬性，但世人卻認為審判與拯救之間尚有一段距離。正因有這樣的距離感，世人即便犯罪擔心公義審判，卻又僥倖希望得到慈愛拯救。所以，世人常常生活在模糊的價值觀之中。 

在此特別強調，經文中的｢以東｣不僅是歷史民族，更象徵一種屬肉體、輕看屬靈價值的生命態度。以掃(以東)曾為一時的需要出賣長子名分，代表選民若忽略神的應許，選擇短暫滿足，就可能活在「以東的樣式」之中；此外，依據俄巴底亞書的論述，以東在雅各遭難時幸災樂禍，更顯出以東敵對神子民的本質。因此，神對以東的審判，表明祂對一切敵對祂、公然行惡的勢力施行公義；踹酒醡的圖像顯示審判的徹底與不可抵擋，也提醒世人，神的慈愛並不排除祂的公義。 

使他榮耀的膀臂在摩西的右手邊行動，在他們前面將水分開，帶領他們經過深處，如馬行走曠野，使他們不至絆跌…耶和華的靈使他們得安息，彷彿牲畜下到山谷；照樣，你也引導你的百姓，要建立自己榮耀的名。(參賽 63：12-14) 

然而，經文後半轉向回顧神的恩典，先知述說神過去對百姓的慈愛與帶領，祂如同父親懷搋兒女，在他們的苦難中同在（參賽 63：9）。神與祂子民之間深刻的關係，好比選民依偎在神的懷中享受祂的愛；但百姓卻悖逆，使聖靈擔憂，因此神轉而管教他們，為要使人回轉。這不是神的改變，而是人遠離神所帶來的結果。由此可知，公義審判、慈愛拯救都是出於神對選民的在乎。 

縱觀全文，我們可歸納出，同樣領受屬靈身分，若輕看這份恩典，隨從世界與肉體，就可能活出「以東」的生命。「信仰不僅是身份，更是價值的選擇」，神既是公義的審判者，也是慈愛的拯救者。祂既不容罪惡，卻又樂意施恩。因此，我們當在敬畏中持守信仰，在恩典中活出聖潔。回應祂同時擁有公義審判與慈愛拯救的絕對主權。 

我們不至消滅，是出於耶和華諸般的慈愛；是因他的憐憫不至斷絕。每早晨，這都是新的。（哀 3：22-23a） 

By廖家立

真耶穌教會石牌教會、天母教會線上講道

石牌教會https://www.youtube.com/@TJChurchShipai

天母教會https://www.youtube.com/c/TJC_Tianmu/featured

Between Righteousness, Judgment and Lovingkindness, Salvation (Isaiah 63)

June 24, 2026

“In all their distress He was distressed,

And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.”

(Isaiah 63:9, NASB 2020)

Isaiah 63 continues the “proclamation of salvation” in chapter 62, further revealing God’s personal work of carrying out “righteousness judgment” and “lovingkindness salvation.”

The prophet, speaking in a “perfect tense" tone, sees an Almighty One coming from Bozrah, the capital of Edom. His garments are dyed red, and He is full of power and majesty. Yet people imagine, in a “future tense", the picture of God judging the nations with “righteousness” and personally accomplishing salvation.

Regarding righteousness judgment, the Bible especially emphasizes: “I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no one with Me” (Isaiah 63:3a). This reveals God’s absolute authority in judgment and salvation. His work does not depend on people, nor is it restricted by anything. Salvation comes entirely from His initiative and power; people can only receive it humbly.

The prophet personally witnesses that righteousness and lovingkindness both belong to the attributes of God. However, the world think there is still some distance between judgment and salvation. It is precisely because of this sense of distance that, even while sinning and fearing righteous judgment, people still take chances and hope to receive lovingkindness salvation. Therefore, people often live within blurred values.

Here, it should be especially emphasized that “Edom” in the Bible is not only a historical nation, but also symbolizes a fleshly attitude of life that despises spiritual value. Esau, that is, Edom, once sold his birthright for a temporary need. This represents that if the chosen people neglect God’s promises and choose momentary satisfaction, they may live in the “pattern of Edom.” In addition, according to the message of Obadiah, Edom rejoiced over Jacob’s trouble, further showing the nature of Edom as one opposed to God’s people. Therefore, God’s judgment upon Edom shows that He carries out righteousness against all powers that oppose Him and openly do evil. The image of treading the winepress shows that judgment is thorough and irresistible, and it also reminds people that God’s lovingkindness does not exclude His righteousness.

“Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name,

Who led them through the depths?

Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble; Like the cattle which go down into the valley,The Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.

So You led Your people,To make for Yourself a glorious name.”

(Isaiah 63:12–14, NASB 2020)

However, the later part of the Scripture turns to look back on God’s grace. The prophet speaks of God’s past lovingkindness and guidance toward His people. He was with them in their suffering, carrying them like a father holding his children in his arms (see Isaiah 63:9). The deep relationship between God and His people is like the chosen people leaning close in God’s embrace and enjoying His love. Yet the people rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit; therefore, God turned to discipline them in order to make people return. This was not because God changed, but because of the result brought by people turning away from God. From this, we can know that both righteousness judgment and lovingkindness salvation come from God’s care for His chosen people.

Looking at the whole passage, we can conclude that even when people receive the same spiritual identity, if they despise this grace and follow the world and the flesh, they may live out the life of “Edom.” "Faith" is not only an identity, but also a choice of values. God is both the righteous Judge and the loving Savior. He does not tolerate sin, yet He is also willing to show grace. Therefore, we should hold firmly to our faith in reverence, and live out holiness in grace, responding to His absolute sovereignty, which possesses both righteousness judgment and lovingkindness salvation.

“The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail.They are new every morning.”

(Lamentations 3:22–23, NASB 2020)

By Charlie Liao