What does Isaiah 65:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Lord had not hidden His face from the Israelites, but on the contrary, had offered Himself to His people. It was not He who needed to change in His orientation toward them, but they needed to change. They were rebellious and pursued their own agenda (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 10:21). He was not unresponsive. They wanted to have Him on their own terms (cf. Isaiah 55:6-11). [source][source]

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Context Summary

The prophet now enumerates the reasons that forced the Lord to turn aside from the Chosen People, and call in the Gentiles to occupy the place and perform the mission which they had despised and forfeited. Paul makes memorable reference to this passage. See Romans 10:20-21. Their gardens were scenes of debauchery; their altars were covered by polluting engravings; they practiced necromancy in the graveyards, and ate swine's flesh, Isaiah 65:3-4. Fortune and destiny were their chosen deities, Isaiah 65:11, r.v. While professing greater holiness than others, the land was filled with abominations.

But the Lord ever discriminates between the righteous and the wicked. Did He not spare Noah and Lot and Caleb? There has always been a faithful remnant, and these become the seed germs of a new nation. Ponder Isaiah 65:8-10. Then ask that your life may be like the new young grapes of the vineyard, on which the blessing of God rests! [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 65

¹  The calling of the Gentiles,
²  and the rejection of the Jews, for their incredulity, idolatry, and hypocrisy
⁸  A remnant shall be saved
¹¹  Judgments on the wicked, and blessings on the godly
¹⁷  The blessed state of the new Jerusalem