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Christmas · First Sunday after Christmas · Year A

Isaiah 63:7-14

In Their Affliction He Was Afflicted

December 28, 2025

The Crossing of the Red Sea, Agnolo Bronzino
The Crossing of the Red Sea, Agnolo Bronzino, 1541–42Palazzo Vecchio, Florence (Wikimedia Commons)
A fresco in Eleanor of Toledo's private chapel in the Palazzo Vecchio, painted in the cold bright colours and twisting nudes of Florentine mannerism.Where is the one who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? … who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, who led them through the depths?Agnolo BronzinoThe Medici court painter, whose portraits are cold, exact and unforgettable, and who wrote poetry as well.Palazzo Vecchio, Florence (Wikimedia Commons)Florence's town hall since the Middle Ages, with a private chapel frescoed by Bronzino for the duchess.Palazzo Vecchio, Florence (Wikimedia Commons)
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 2:13-23Mt 2:13-23
EpistleGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7
Old TestamentIsa. 63:7-14Is 63:7-14
PsalterPs. 111Ps 111

Overview & Insights

“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them.” (Isaiah 63:9)

This is the opening of a long communal lament that runs to the end of chapter 64, and its method is recital: the exodus is rehearsed in detail in order to ask why it is not happening now. The first clause of v. 9 is one of the more consequential textual problems in the book. The consonants of the Masoretic text yield “in all their affliction he was afflicted,” while the traditional reading and the Septuagint give a negative, that he was not an adversary, and English versions divide accordingly. Either way the verse binds God to the people’s trouble, and the angel of his presence recalls the guide promised at Exodus 23:20-23 and 33:14-15. Verse 10 makes the striking charge that they grieved his Holy Spirit, among the few places in the Old Testament to speak of the Spirit as something that can be grieved, a phrase Paul takes up at Ephesians 4:30. Verses 11-14 answer by remembering Moses and the sea.

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Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 63:7-9Commentary on Is 63:7-9 workingpreacher.org

Luther Seminary commentary on God's hesed recalled in Isaiah 63:7-9, the opening verses of the LSB pericope.

Isaiah 63 Commentary: Prayer from CaptivityIs 63 Commentary: Prayer from Captivity enduringword.com

David Guzik's verse-by-verse walk through Isaiah 63, covering the remembrance of God's mercies in verses 7-14.

Isaiah 63, Dr. Constable's Expository NotesIs 63, Dr. Constable's Expository Notes studylight.org

Constable's exposition of Isaiah 63, including the communal lament that recalls God's past kindness in verses 7-14.

Isaiah 63:7 CommentariesIs 63:7 Commentaries biblehub.com

Compiled classic commentaries keyed to Isaiah 63:7, the verse opening the appointed pericope.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 63:7 InterlinearIs 63:7 Interlinear biblehub.com

Hebrew interlinear for Isaiah 63:7, showing the word behind 'lovingkindnesses' (hesed) that anchors the passage.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 63Is 63 catenabible.com

Patristic-commentary chain keyed to the full text of Isaiah 63, the chapter containing the appointed reading.

Sermons & Reflections

Old Testament: Isaiah 63:7-14 (Christmas 1: Series A)Old Testament: Is 63:7-14 (Christmas 1: Series A) 1517.org

1517's own homiletical treatment of exactly this pericope, Isaiah 63:7-14, for LSB Christmas 1 Series A.

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