Isaiah 65:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

I am sought

Ephesians 2:12

Unto

General references

Romans 9:16

Romans 15:21

Bible References

I am sought

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples--of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.

even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

Then 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."

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Unto

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God."

And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

General references

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."