In Isaiah 65, God’s patience is nearing its limits. In the first few verses of the chapter He assesses their response to His gracious care for them:
“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name. “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, A people who continually provoke Me to My face…”
The Israelites had rebelled and complained against God from very near the moment He brought them out of Egypt (Exodus 15:24). At times they considered that they might be better off dead than in the care of God through Moses (Numbers 20:3). God assessed them perfectly in Isaiah 65, and gave a chilling statement to those who worshipped gods of fate and destiny, those who forsook the Lord, beginning in verse 11:
“But you who forsake the Lord, Who forget My holy mountain, Who set a table for Fortune, And who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight.”
God made His will plain to them so that they would choose to please Him, but they served other so-called gods instead. Judgment was on its way, and God’s reason is the same today: “Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
God has spoken today for all to hear (Romans 10:18). The gospel of Jesus has gone out as a message bringing hope to all who obey it and judgment to those who rebel against it. Just as God called to His people, Israel, in days long past, He is now calling out to the whole earth, warning against the coming judgment and offering hope through Jesus (Acts 17:30-31). God is calling, will you answer by choosing to do that in which He delights, by choosing to obey His voice (1 Samuel 15:22)?
If you would like to study more about how to obey the message of hope in Jesus so that you will be saved from judgment, please contact us by email or phone. We welcome the opportunity to share what God has spoken so that all may be saved!
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