Q: Can you please explain what Isaiah 55:6 means regarding “while he (God) may be found.” Is that related to when we die we can find him for salvation reasons?

A: As with much of Scripture, there are often different dimensions to a verse, depending on the angle or focus from which you are viewing it.

That said, I think the “plea” or “invitation” (even there you could see some variation – there’s a difference, right? Is this an impassioned, desperate plea, or simply an invitation? perhaps even a warning?) that is in view here indicates that there is a time, when someone won’t be able to find, call upon or turn to the Lord. I think that our wider understanding of Scripture and theology says that there are some times when this might occur:

1. when a person is “lost” in sin, and cannot see their way out, or find their way to the Lord. (They’re just looking in the wrong direction and wrong places.)
2. when a person’s heart is hardened.
3. once our earthly life is over.
4. when Jesus returns.

The idea is that if a person is hearing God call them now, and they are being drawn to Him, not to let that opportunity be lost. Thankfully we believe that we don’t need to find our way to God – Jesus says that He “seeks and saves” the lost. (c.f. Luke 19:10). But what this verse reminds us is that if Jesus comes to rescue you … don’t resist Him, or let Him “leave” without you.

You know the old joke – “I sent you two boats and a helicopter!” … they didn’t receive the rescue when it was to be found. That may be something like what’s in view here.

Blessings,

PA