Isaiah 65:1-7: a reflection

1“I am inquired of by those who didn’t ask. I am found by those who didn’t seek me. I said, ‘See me, see me,’ to a nation that was not called by my name. 2I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; 3a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning incense on bricks; 4who sit among the graves, and spend nights in secret places; who eat pig’s meat, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5who say, ‘Stay by yourself, don’t come near to me, for I am holier than you.’ These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day. 6“Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will repay, yes, I will repay into their bosom 7your own iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together”, says the LORD, “who have burned incense on the mountains, and blasphemed me on the hills. Therefore I will first measure their work into their bosom.”

God speaks of his reaching out to a people who were not seeking him: I am inquired of by those who didn't ask. I am found by those who didn't seek me. I said, See me, see me, to a nation that was not called by my name. And he pictures his patience with a rebellious people: I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good. God does not wait for people to seek him first; he reaches out, holds out his hands all day, even to those who do not seek him, even to the rebellious.

Notice God's initiative and patience: he reaches out even to those who do not seek him. He is found by those who were not looking for him; he says see me to a people not called by his name; he stretches out his hands all day to the rebellious. God does not stand back waiting to be sought; he takes the initiative, reaching out, holding out his hands with patience even to those who have not sought him and who resist him. The reaching out is his, before any seeking of ours; his hands are stretched out all day.

That is a great grace, for it means God reaches out to us before we seek him, and with patience even when we resist. We might imagine that God waits for us to seek him first, that his openness depends on our looking for him; but God is found by those who did not seek him, and holds out his hands all day even to the rebellious. If you have come to God, or are coming, know that he was reaching out to you before you sought him; his hands were stretched out all day, with patience, drawing you. Do not imagine you must first make yourself seek God before he will be found; he reaches out first, even to those who do not seek him, holding out his hands with patience. Respond to the God who has been reaching out to you all along, whose hands were stretched out to you before you ever sought him, even when you walked your own way; for he is found by those who did not seek him, and holds out his hands all day, with patience, to draw us to himself.

Lord, you speak of your reaching out to a people who were not seeking you: I am inquired of by those who didn't ask; I am found by those who didn't seek me; I said, see me, see me, to a nation that was not called by my name. And you picture your patience with a rebellious people: I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people. You do not wait for people to seek you first; you reach out, hold out your hands all day, even to those who do not seek you. Show me your initiative and patience: you reach out even to those who do not seek you. You are found by those who were not looking for you; you stretch out your hands all day to the rebellious. You do not stand back waiting to be sought; you take the initiative, reaching out with patience. The reaching out is yours, before any seeking of mine. That is a great grace, for it means you reach out to me before I seek you, and with patience even when I resist. I might imagine that you wait for me to seek you first; but you are found by those who did not seek you, and hold out your hands all day even to the rebellious. If I have come to you, or am coming, help me know that you were reaching out to me before I sought you; your hands were stretched out all day, drawing me. Keep me from imagining I must first make myself seek you before you will be found; you reach out first, Lord. Help me respond to the God who has been reaching out to me all along.