The rejection of Christ foretold

Again, hear how it was said through the same Isaiah that the peoples of the nations who had not been expecting him would worship him, while the Jews who were always expecting him would fail to recognize him when he came. The words were spoken as from the person of Christ himself:

“I became manifest to those who did not inquire about me; I was found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am,’ to a nation that did not call upon my name. I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contradicting people, to those who walk in a way that is not good, but follow after their sins—a people who provoke me to my face.”

For the Jews possessed the prophecies and were always expecting the Christ to come, yet they failed to recognize him; and not only that, but they also mistreated him. The people from the nations, however, had never heard anything about Christ until his apostles went out from Jerusalem and announced the things concerning him and handed on the prophecies. Filled with joy and faith, they renounced their idols and dedicated themselves through Christ to the unbegotten God.

And to show that it was foreknown that these slanders would be spoken against those who confess Christ, and that those who slander him and say it is good to preserve the ancient customs would be wretched, hear what was said briefly through Isaiah: “Woe to those who call sweet bitter and bitter sweet.”