One of the most intriguing scriptures I have found is in the book of Isaiah. This book was written after the sins and evil of the ten tribes of Israel that broke off from the rule of the house of David had been removed and taken into captivity. Judah was also rebuked and Isaiah wrote about judgment that was to come upon all immoral and idolatrous men in all nations. He wrote the first 39 chapters of his book expressing the strong call to repentance and speaking of the Day of the Lord when God's wrath will be visited upon mankind. The last 27 chapters speak of the hope that was to come through the Messiah. Isaiah wrote during the reigns of 4 kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. God is merciful, gentle and loving, but He is also just and will never allow evil to continue unabated and unpunished. Isaiah states that God enjoins repentance and cleansing before He will listen to the prayers people offer (Isa. 1:15-17). Learning to do good comes from the study of God's word and caring for the oppressed, fatherless and widows demonstrates a desire to emulate the love God has for the troubled. It is in this mindset that God said: "Come, let us reason together." In the midst of the condemnation of Israel and the world, God still holds out the hope of reconciliation for man with God. He shows willingness to forgive sins and bless people while warning that refusal will lead to suffering and death (Isa. 1:2-10). How can a mere human reason with His Creator? The word reason implies the justification of an act or an underlying explanatory principle (Chamber's Dictionary). To argue or debate is indicated by this word.
One immediate thought that comes to our mind is that God is so far above any human that a discussion or reasoning of any sort seems ridiculous. A senseless man or a fool does not understand how great God's works and thoughts are (Psalm 92:5,6). David expressed this in a Psalm. He wrote that God knew if he were sitting down or standing. God knew his thoughts from afar and knew them before the words came out of his mouth (Psalm 139:1-4). It is most disconcerting to meet someone who knows exactly what you are thinking in your heart. Jesus did this more than once as we see in the example of the paralytic Jesus healed. When Jesus said "your sins are forgiven," the Pharisees said within themselves: "This Man blasphemes." But Jesus knew their thoughts and said: "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" (Matt. 9:1-4). That must have caused a reaction in their minds. Had they known Who was speaking to them, they might have had the right reaction which is humble repentance and the desire to learn. Paul noted that nothing is hidden from God, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Heb. 4:13). How then can God invite us to reason with Him? Even in the worst of times we can find God still offering to listen if people repent (Rev. 16:9,11). He would listen!
The answer to that question lies in the words that surround the offer to reason. God listens to any person who is humble, resisting evil, striving to do good and seeking justice (Isa. 1:16,17). God wants a close relationship with human beings even though He is so far superior to us that we cannot imagine how great that difference is. That is one reason men have asked: "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Heb. 2:6). Why should God care when we are mortal and made of dust like the animals are? Paul noted that God had given man glory and power, but only in a limited amount. Obviously, God is looking for something in us that would allow Him to gladly complete His offer (verse 8). When a person acknowledges his limited understanding and the awesome brilliance and perfection of God's knowledge and directions, that person can be so in awe of the majesty before him, that he will remain humble and teachable. God has used all means at His disposal to work with mankind, but has found that most humans turn from Him.
The first account we can find about God reasoning with humans is when He was walking with Adam in the Garden of Eden. God walked and talked with Adam. He brought living things He had created to Adam and Adam gave them all names. Eve was created and both of them began to learn many things from God. There was a conversation, questions were no doubt asked and explanations given. God loved talking with these humans who were far less that He was and whose understanding of everything was greatly lacking. He knew of the potential growth that was possible for them. God wanted to continue teaching, encouraging, helping and walking with Adam and Eve. He has wanted that with mankind ever since. But humans were the ones who turned away. The relationship changed from one of closeness, dignity, love and trust to a relationship that was marred. God knew they had broken the command He had given them (Gen. 3:11). Even at that point, Adam and Eve expressed the reason for their actions - Eve blamed Satan and Adam blamed Eve - actually both of them blamed God (Gen. 3:12,3). The woman You gave me, was Adam's reasoning. Nowhere do we find repentance, humility, or a desire to reconcile with God.
God said He had spread forth His hands all day long to a rebellious people when He worked with the descendants of Jacob (Isa. 65:2). He did everything that He knew He could do to help mankind, but God worked within the guidelines He had set that would lead to the time when He could freely meet with humans on His terms (Isa. 5:4). The key to be able to sit and reason with this incredible all powerful Creator lies in mankind recognizing that they have done evil and asking how to change that. Hands that shed blood, evil doings need to be repented of and replaced with learning to do good. That comes from the study of the word of God which is His instruction to mankind. When we are faithful in living by His commandments, laws and statutes, God is more than willing to sit down and reason with us. It still seems preposterous that an all knowing Creator would enjoy sitting down with a human and hear what that person has to say.
There are several incidents where men who obeyed God, kept His laws and statutes and walked humbly before Him, actually were heard. Abraham was such a man (Gen. 26:5). God blessed him in all he did and at times came for a visit. One occasion happened as Abraham was camping on the plains of Mamre. God appeared with two angels and Sarah prepared a meal. They enjoyed talking and stayed a while. Just as they were about to leave, God told Abraham of His plan to destroy Sodom and the cities of the plains for the evil they were doing. The angels left and the Lord remained to talk with Abraham. The account shows that God who is Almighty and knows everything will listen to the reasoning of one who loves Him and who is devoted to walking with his Creator, not in opposition to Him (Gen. 26:16-33). Abraham knew that Lot and his family lived in Sodom and because Abraham thought a lot like God in mercy, compassion, love and hope, he reasoned or argued that there might be some righteous people there. God already knew the answer to that, but obviously loved the thoughts Abraham expressed. We humans rarely know the full story behind things that happen around us, but God knows everything. God loves to hear His children express goodness and love.
Another example is that of Moses. When God called to Moses and explained the task He was giving to him to take Israel out of Egypt, Moses who knew of the might of Egypt, tried to reason with God as to why he should not go (Exod. 3:10-4:14). Finally God did get angry, but He did hear the words of Moses. There were a number of times during the 40 years that followed that Moses laid his thoughts before God.
When Isaiah wrote about the invitation of God to reason with people, he clearly showed that humans were sinful and in need of change and help. A repentant heart and a humble attitude is what God seeks. He knows we are ignorant of many things, but He is a great and patient teacher. Reasoning with God is more of a show of His tolerance and love than our ability to exchange thoughts with God. The invitation to reason with Him reflects His great love for mankind.