power in Nature, conceives of God mainly as a force, and
speaks of Him as a God of power. Such, though not
without beautiful exceptions, is the character ascribed to Jehovah in the Old Testament. "The Lord is a man of
war." He is "the Lord of hosts." He kills men, and
their cattle. If there is trouble in the enemies' city, it is the Lord who hath caused it. He will "whet his glittering sword, and render vengeance to his enemies. He
will make his arrows drunk with blood, and his sword shall devour flesh!" It is with the sword that God pleads with all men. He encourages men to fight, and says, "Cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood." He sends blood into the streets; he waters the land with blood, and in blood he dissolves the mountains. He brandishes his sword before kings, and they tremble at every moment. He treads nations as grapes in a wine-press, and his garments are stained with their life's blood.[1]
- ↑
Isaiah lxiii. 1—6.—Noyes's Version.
The People.
1. Who is this that cometh from Edom ?
In scarlet garments from Bozrah ?
This, that is glorious in his apparel,
Proud in the greatness of his strength ?
Jehovah.
I, that proclaim deliverance,
And am mighty to save.
The People.
2. Wherefore is thine apparel red,
And thy garments like those of one that treadeth the wine-vat?
Jehovah.
3. I have trodden the wine-vat alone.
And of the nations there was none with me.
And I trod them in mine anger.
And I trampled them in my fury,
So that their life-blood was sprinkled upon my garments;
And I have stained all my apparel.
4. For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
And the year of my deliverance was come.
5. And I looked and there was none to help.
And I wondered that there was none to uphold,
Therefore my own arm wrought salvation for me,
And my fury, it sustained me.
6. I trod down the nations in my anger:
I crushed them [in my fury.
And spilled their blood upon the ground.
