Project 119: Isaiah 65:1-5 and Romans 10:20-21

 |  Project 119  |  Mary Splawn

My kids love to play hide and seek. Recently, I was folding clothes when a game ensued. Wayne went to look for Webb who had hidden in the basket of clothes I was folding. Wayne looked everywhere while I played the part of folding clothes, careful not to give any indication of Webb’s whereabouts. Wayne finally had to give up and Webb popped out of the laundry basket to his surprise. We all laughed about how well he had hidden himself. 

As I think about the Lord, I am encouraged by this passage in Isaiah to remember that God doesn’t play hide and seek with us. Actually, God does the reverse. He permits Himself to be found by those who don’t even seek Him. What does this mean? Let’s look to Romans 10 for some clarification. 

Paul and the Roman church are trying to figure out what to make of the Jews rejecting Jesus. Paul references Isaiah by saying, “And Isaiah is very bold and says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for me.’ But as for Israel He says, ‘All the day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.’” 

The Jews were awaiting the Messiah but many rejected Jesus as such. On the flip side, many Gentiles didn’t even know to expect a Messiah, but they came to Him and were saved. 

This is good news for us because we are among the Gentile peoples. The Lord has seen fit in His compassion to allow us into the family of faith. He has revealed His great love to us in Jesus and He has given us a role to play in bringing His love to others. Are you hiding that love or are you seeking ways to share it with the world around you? 

Lord, Thank You for revealing Yourself to us. Show us today whom You have called us to love. 

Isaiah 65:1-5 (ESV):

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;

I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.

I said, "Here I am, here I am,"

to a nation that was not called by my name.

2 I spread out my hands all the day

to a rebellious people,

who walk in a way that is not good,

following their own devices;

3 a people who provoke me

to my face continually,

sacrificing in gardens

and making offerings on bricks;

4 who sit in tombs,

and spend the night in secret places;

who eat pig's flesh,

and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels;

5 who say, "Keep to yourself,

do not come near me, for I am too holy for you."

 

Romans 10:20-21 (ESV):

20Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

"I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me."

21 But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."