Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 65:1

1 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.

The word signifies properly a diligent enquiry in things relating to God, 2 Chr. 14. 4. Psal. 34. 4. Ier 37. 7. I am diligently enquired of by them.

That in times before made no enquiry after me; (as the Gentiles, and not being without God in the world, Eph. 2. 12.) as seeking may more strictly relate to Prayer, as the word is used, Isa. 55. 6. so this word translated asked, may also be so taken, and is so 1. Sam 1. 20. 1 Sam. 22. 13. but (possibly) it is better interpreted more generally.

Yea, I was found of them before they sought me, those who formerly did not seek me, now seek me, but they were found of me before they sought me, I prevented them by my Grace, sending my Son to preach p[illegible: 1+ letters]ace to those that were afar off, Eph. 2. 17. and my Apostles to intreat them to be reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5. 20. and my Spirit to convince the wo[illegible: 1+ letters]ld of Sin, Righteousness, and Iudgment, Joh. 16. 8.

I invited whole Nations by the preaching of my Gospel to behold me, and I invited them with importunity, doubling my words upon them, and this I did unto a Nation not call'd by my name, with whom I was not in Covenant, and which did not profess any relation to me, which none of the Gentiles could pretend unto. The Prophet speaks of a thing to come many years after, as if it were a thing then done, to signifie the certainty of it. God doth the same thing yet in every soul that is converted. But the Text is manifestly to be interpreted of the conversion of the Gentiles.

That in the primary sense of this Text, is a Prophecy of the Convers[illegible: 1+ letters]on of the Gentiles, upon the rejection of the Jews, for their [illegible: 1 word] and crucifying of [illegible: 1 word], cannot be [illegible: 1 word] by any, who will not arrogat[illegible: 1+ letters] to themselves a greater ability to interpr[illegible: 1+ letters] the Prophesies of the old [illegible: 1 word], than Paul had, who, Rom. 10. 20. expresly so interpreteth it, and appl[illegible: 1+ letters]th it, which sheweth the vanity of the Jews in their other interpretations of it.

Marginal references: Rom. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 24▪ 25, 26. & 10. 20. Eph. 2. 12, 13.