Isaiah 65:1

Judgment for idolators

1 I was ready to respond to those who didn't ask. I was ready to be found by those who didn't look for me. I said, "I'm here! I'm here!" to a nation that didn't call on my name.

Isaiah 65:1 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 1. I am sought of them that asked not for me
That this is aIsaiah 65:2

I have spread out mine hands all the day unto a rebellious
people
Meaning Israel, as the apostle explains it, ( Romans 10:21 ) , whom he calls a "disobedient and gainsaying people"; who believed not in Christ, obeyed not his Gospel, but contradicted and blasphemed it; and were rebellious against him, would not have him to reign over them, nor submit to his ordinances; though he most affectionately invited them, earnestly pressed and urged them, and that daily and frequently, to attend his ministry; and used all human methods to gain audience of them, and acceptance with them, but all to no purpose; see ( Matthew 23:37 ) , they remained obstinate and inflexible, and so they did under the ministry of his apostles; for, notwithstanding their ill usage of him, he ordered the Gospel to be first preached to them, as it was, till they treated it with such indignity and contempt, that the apostles turned away from them to the Gentiles, as they were bid; see ( Acts 13:46 Acts 13:47 ) . The Targum is,

``I sent my prophets every day''

which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
in their own way, of their own devising, choosing, and approving, and which was a wicked one; and after their own imaginations and inventions; after the traditions of the elders the doctrines and commandments of men; and after a righteousness of their own, which they sought by the works of the law, and so submitted not to, but rejected the righteousness of Christ.

Isaiah 65:1 In-Context

1 I was ready to respond to those who didn't ask. I was ready to be found by those who didn't look for me. I said, "I'm here! I'm here!" to a nation that didn't call on my name.

2 I extended my hands all day to a rebellious people walking in a way that isn't good, following their own plans;

3 people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on bricks,

4 who sit in tombs and spend the night among rocks; who eat swine's flesh with broth of unclean meat in their bowls;

5 who say, "Keep to yourself! Keep away from me! I'm too holy for you." These people ignite my anger like a fire that burns all day.