What does "I revealed Myself" in Isaiah 65:1 teach about God's character? The Significance of Self-Revelation • “I revealed Myself…” (Isaiah 65:1) shows that God is the One who makes Himself known; knowledge of Him is never a human discovery but a divine disclosure. • The verb points to a decisive, purposeful act—God steps out of hiddenness into view so that people can truly know Him. God’s Initiative in Grace • No one was “asking” or “seeking,” yet God acted first. – Romans 3:11: “There is no one who seeks God.” – 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.” • This underscores His grace: salvation begins with God, not human effort or merit. God’s Universality—Beyond Israel • “To a nation that was not called by My name, I said: ‘Here am I, here am I.’” – Foreshadows the gospel going to the Gentiles (Romans 10:20 quotes this verse). • God’s character is expansive; He desires all peoples to come to Him (1 Timothy 2:3-4). God’s Relational Heart • Twice He says, “Here am I,” echoing the nearness He offers. • The repetition conveys eagerness: God is not reluctant; He is ready and waiting for response (cf. Matthew 11:28). God’s Persistent Availability • Even to those uninterested, He keeps presenting Himself. • Displays patience and longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9). Implications for Believers Today • Confidence: We rely on a God who takes the first step; our witness rests on His initiative. • Humility: Any knowledge of God is a gift; boasting is excluded (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Mission: Because God seeks out the unresponsive, we proclaim Christ to all, trusting His self-revealing power. Supporting Scriptures • John 1:18 – “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son…has made Him known.” • Hebrews 1:1-2 – God “has spoken to us by His Son.” • Psalm 98:2 – “The LORD has made His salvation known.” |
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