“I revealed myself to those who didn’t even ask to know me. Those who did not seek me found me. I said to a nation that did not call on my name, ‘Here I am! Here I am! I will help you!’ 2 Day after day I have graciously outstretched my hands to a people who turned their backs to me, whose way of life is corrupt, who insist on going their own way. Isaiah 65:1-2

This first verse is quoted verbatim in Romans 10, by the Apostle Paul. He sees God extending the mission of the church to Gentiles as the fulfillment of this prophetic declaration by Isaiah. Repeating a phrase more than once was the ancient way to add emphasis, like an exclamation mark. When God says, “Here I am” twice, He is stressing how desirous He is to receive people outside of Judaism.

The Israelites fell into the trap of taking God’s presence and leading for granted. Yet, God still graciously reached out to His people. So we see God extending His love to everyone, including those who are unaware they are sinners and even to those who willfully sin. He is always standing with open arms to receive anyone who humbly turns and surrenders to Him.

What a beautiful view of God’s grace hundreds of years prior to Jesus coming in flesh to display God’s outstretched arms.