Jehovah Reaches Out to "a Stubborn People"

Recall that Isaiah 63:15-64:12 contains Isaiah's prophetic prayer on behalf of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. As Isaiah's words make clear, many Jews are not worshiping Jehovah whole-souled, but some have repented and turned to him.  Will Jehovah now restore the nation for the sake of that contrite remnant?  We find the answer in Isaiah chapter 65.  But before  uttering a promise of deliverance for the few who are faithful, Jehovah describes the judgment awaiting the many who are without faith.

Jehovah has put up with persistent rebelliousness on the part of his people.  The time will come, however, when he will abandon them to their enemies and kindly welcome others into his favor.  Through Isaiah, Jehovah says: "I have let myself be searched for by those who had not asked for me.  I have let myself be found by those who had not looked for me I have said, 'Here I am, here I am!' to a nation that was not calling upon my name." (Isaiah 65:1)  It is a sad commentary on Jehovah's covenant people that those of the nations will come to Jehovah but stubborn Judah as a whole will refuse to do so.  Isaiah is not the only prophet to foretell that God will ultimately choose a people not previously recognized. (Hosea 1:10; 2:23)  The apostle Paul quoted Isaiah 65:1, 2 from the Septuagint to prove that people of the nations would obtain  "the righteousness that results from faith" even though natural-born Jews  refused to do so.-Romans 9:30; 10:20, 21.

Jehovah explains why he will allow his own people to suffer calamity:  "I have spread out my hands all day long to a stubborn people, those who are walking in the way that is not good, after their thoughts." (Isaiah 65:2) To spread out one's hands denotes an invitation or an entreaty.  Jehovah has spread out his hands, not just briefly, but all day long.  His heartfelt desire is that Judah return to him.  Yet, this stubborn people has failed to respond.

What a heartwarming lesson we learn from Jehovah's words!   He wants us to draw close to him because he is an approachable God.  (James 4:8)  These words also show us that Jehovah is humble. (Psalm 113:5, 6) After all, he continues figuratively to spread out his hands, entreating his people to return despite the fact that their stubbornness had made him "feel hurt." (Psalm 78:40, 41)  Only after appealing to them for centuries does he finally abandon them to their enemies. Even then, he does not close the door on humble individuals among them.

Next time: Conclusion of Jehovah Reaches Out to "a Stubborn People"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2001