Isa 65:1 | JFB | STEP | In , their plea was, "we are all Thy people." In answer, God declares that others (Gentiles) would be taken into covenant with Him, while His ancient people would be rejected. The Jews were slow to believe this; hence Paul says ( ) that Isaiah was "very bold" in advancing so unpopular a sentiment; he implies what Paul states ( ; , ; ), that "they are not all (in opposition to the Jews' plea, ) Israel which are of Israel." God's reason for so severely dealing with Israel is not changeableness in Him, but sin in them ( ). Yet the whole nation shall not be destroyed, but only the wicked; a remnant shall be saved ( - ). There shall be, finally, universal blessedness to Israel, such as they had prayed for ( ). 1. I am sought-- Hebrew, "I have granted access unto Me to them," &c. (so , "Should I be inquired of"; ). found-- renders this, "I was made manifest." As an instance of the sentiment in the clause, "I am sought," &c., see ; of the sentiment in this clause, . Compare as to the Gentile converts, , . Behold me-- ( ). nation ... not called by my name-- that is, the Gentiles. God retorts in their own words ( ) that their plea as being exclusively "called by His name" will not avail, for God's gospel invitation is not so exclusive ( ; 1:16).

‏ Isaiah 65:1

CHAPTER 65 Is 65:1-25. God's Reply in Justification of His Dealings with Israel.

In Is 64:9, their plea was, "we are all Thy people." In answer, God declares that others (Gentiles) would be taken into covenant with Him, while His ancient people would be rejected. The Jews were slow to believe this; hence Paul says (Ro 10:20) that Isaiah was "very bold" in advancing so unpopular a sentiment; he implies what Paul states (Ro 2:28; 9:6, 7; 11:1-31), that "they are not all (in opposition to the Jews' plea, Is 64:9) Israel which are of Israel." God's reason for so severely dealing with Israel is not changeableness in Him, but sin in them (Is 65:2-7). Yet the whole nation shall not be destroyed, but only the wicked; a remnant shall be saved (Is 65:8-10, 11-16). There shall be, finally, universal blessedness to Israel, such as they had prayed for (Is 65:17-25).

1. I am sought--Hebrew, "I have granted access unto Me to them," &c. (so Eze 14:3, "Should I be inquired of"; Ep 2:18).

found--Ro 10:20 renders this, "I was made manifest." As an instance of the sentiment in the clause, "I am sought," &c., see Joh 12:21; of the sentiment in this clause, Ac 9:5. Compare as to the Gentile converts, Ep 2:12, 13.

Behold me--(Is 45:22).

nation ... not called by my name--that is, the Gentiles. God retorts in their own words (Is 63:19) that their plea as being exclusively "called by His name" will not avail, for God's gospel invitation is not so exclusive (Ro 9:25; 1:16).