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There is a good English proverb that "He who neglects the occasion, the occasion will neglect him." In previous verses we have a general proclamation (ver. 20); a merciful reprehension (ver. 22); a gracious exhortation (ver. 23); a yearning promise (end ver. 23); a gracious threatening. The words of the text are underclapt against all those that procrastinate their repentance and returning home to God. Note the parties themselves that do prolong this day of grace; their earnest and diligent seeking after God; the unseasonableness of the time of their seeking; and the frustration of their hopes. Those that will not hear when He calleth them, God will not hear when they call unto Him. Thus the Lord dealt with His people in Ezekiel's days. There is a double day, a white day, and a black day; a day of salvation and a day of damnation. There are three reasons for this point.

1. The law of retaliation.

2. The time of God's attributes. Both mercy and justice have their season in this life; and when mercy hath acted her part, then cometh justice upon the stage, and acteth her part.

3. It is God's use to do so in other things, even upon the contempt of temporal blessings, and therefore much more in matters of grace and salvation. Illustrated in the cases of the Israelites, Ishmael, King Saul, Esau. If God so severely punish contempt of temporal blessings, how will He punish contempt of proffers of grace and salvation? He will come with martial law against all those that contemn the gospel (John 3:18). God doth commonly give men a day, but no man or angel doth know how long this day lasteth. God gave the angels a day, Cain a day, Nineveh a day, the antediluvian world a day. All we know is that this day is for us now. Now is the day of Christ upon you. What is the meaning of all those Scriptures which show how God doth deliver up men unto the spirit of giddiness, and unto the spirit of slumber? And what means the "hardening of men's hearts," and "searing of men's consciences," but only to show that the day of grace may end unto a particular man, ten, twenty, nay, forty years before his death. If thou refuse this day, thou refusest all; for what knowest thou but this very day may be thy day? The reason is —

1. Because God's patience is in His own breast, and who can tell how long it will last?

2. Because God's patience gives no mark or inkling of it before it ends.

3. Because God reckons up every hour.

4. It is a wonder that the day of grace is not ended already, and that thou art not now in hell. When Christ first comes to the soul, He witnesseth grace and mercy to thee if thou wilt repent and amend; yea, He witnesseth forgiveness of sins, redemption, and salvation, if thou wilt believe; but if not, He will be a swift witness against thee.

(William Fenner, B.D.)

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KJV: Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

WEB: Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;