מדרש אויף ישעיהו 65:1

Why does the Lord stand afar off? As it is written (Zechariah 7:13), "And it came to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear." Rabbi Yochanan said: The Divine Presence stood on the Mount of Olives for three and a half years and cried out (Isaiah 65:2), "I am sought of them that asked not for Me; I am found of them that sought Me not." But they did not pay attention, as it is said (ibid. 66:4), "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them." Rabbi Chanina offered a parable: It is like a caravan that was traveling on a road. When it became dark, the captain said to them, "Enter into the inn for fear of a wild beast and of robbers." But they replied, "It is not the custom of caravans to enter into inns, even if it be day." Later that night, they were attacked by robbers. When they returned to the innkeeper and asked him to open the door for them, he refused, saying, "It is not the custom of inns to open their doors at night, nor to receive guests at that time." Therefore, when I wanted to let you in, you refused, and now that you want to enter, I cannot let you in. Similarly, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). But they did not seek Him. When they were handed over to the Gentiles, they began to cry out, "Why does the Lord stand afar off?" The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, "When I sought you, you did not seek Me. Now that you seek Me, I do not listen to you." Measure for measure. Thus it is said (Zechariah 7:13), "And it came to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear." Perhaps this will be the case forever, God forbid, until the end of all ages and even beyond....

Another matter, “Behold, I will rain down bread for you from the heavens,” that is what is written: “I responded to those who did not ask” (Isaiah 65:1). What is written prior to the matter? “The entire congregation of the children of Israel complained” (Exodus 16:2). What complaint was there? The food that they took out with them from Egypt made them sixty-one meals, and they ate it for thirty-one days. That dough was finished and in the evening they complained, as it is stated: “The entire congregation of the children of Israel complained.” They should have come to say to him: ‘That dough is finished.’ Instead, they came to him contentiously, and said: “For you have taken us out of Egypt to this wilderness to kill this entire assembly in famine” (Exodus 16:3). They said: ‘Famine of food and famine of water.’ When they complained, [God’s] anger should have emerged against them immediately, but He did not do so to them. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘They acted characteristically,⁵Contrarian and complaining. and I will act characteristically.⁶Merciful and forgiving. Say to them: In the morning the manna will fall for you.’ That is, “I responded to those who did not ask.” It would have been appropriate for them, once their cake was finished, that they would stand and request mercy from before Me. Instead, they stood and poured out grievances toward Heaven. Therefore, the verse states: “Behold Me, behold Me, to a nation that did not invoke My name” (Isaiah 65:1). Why does it say “behold Me” twice? Behold, it was Me at the spring, as it is stated: “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock” (Exodus 17:6). And behold, it was I [who provided] the manna, as it is stated: “Behold, I will rain down bread for you from the heavens.”