V.1-5 Now God answers. He says that other nations (the Gentiles) which never inquired about Him before, are finding Him. But Israel, His own people, have followed their own evil path, even though He has stretched out His arms to welcome them all day long!
V.5 And they say to one another “Don’t come too close, you will defile me! for I am holier than you!” They didn’t deserve any mercy.
V.8-16 In these verses we find a very important point. God makes Israel into two groups for the future. (1) The little group which will believe on Him during the tribulation. This little group is known often as “the remnant.” In our chapter, He calls them “my servants” and sometimes “my chosen” (vvs. 8-10, 16).
(2) The main part of the nation of Israel is going to be destroyed when the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, comes in His glory (see “E” on chart, vvs. 11-12). (Both in 13-15). Do you see this point in these verses?
V.17-25 These verses go on into the millennium. People will live the whole 1,000 years — as long as a tree, v. 22, only a sinner shall die younger v. 20. What a lovely world it will be then. The Lord Jesus shall be the One that everyone will look to.