...Bob, you may find theologically difficult the idea that God is not always near and to be found. But it is seems clear that this was Isaiah's theology, as expressed in this verse (55:6; the Hebrew BIHYOTO QAROB is unambiguously "at the time that he is near") and elsewhere e.g. "the year of the Lord's favour" (61:2). Isaiah teaches that there is now a chance to repent, but for those who delay repentance a time of judgment will come, and it will then be too late to repent. If you don't like this idea, then ponder 55:8-9.
Now for Isaiah 55 - when I read the usual translations I get some strange
subtexts from the English. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found! As if
the LORD were going away or something. Perhaps in the archaic English
'while' is a positive move, whereas for us in the 21st century, 'while' is a
threat.
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