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mercies gathered: —

I. What is the view here given us of God's MANIFESTED DISPLEASURE towards the individual mentioned in the text? "For a small moment have I forsaken thee." God's forsaking His people cannot be at all in sovereignty, but must always be in justice; the very next verse tells us, in fact, that it was "in wrath" — that it was on account of sin. As to the manifestation of displeasure, God speaks here of His "forsaking" us.

1. He is sometimes said to forsake His people, when He leaves them under temporal affliction. This was very frequently the meaning of such words in reference to God's ancient people, the Jews.

2. Sometimes this phrase is used, we apprehend, when there seems to be an obstruction of access to the Throne of Grace — when our approach to it seems barred and obstructed.

3. Sometimes the phrase is used in reference to the spiritual declension of God's people.

II. THE GENTLENESS AND LIGHTNESS OF HIS MANIFESTED DISPLEASURE are likewise referred to: "For a small moment." Now, putting these two words together — "small moment" — and connecting likewise, this" verse with" the succeeding verse, we may. understand, that both the degree and the duration of the punishment are referred to in the text. For a small moment" — a moment of smallness, or of lightness; and again, "In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment." This will appear to us more particularly, if we place in comparison with those afflictions to which we have referred certain other circumstances.

1. For instance, only compare the afflictions which you have endured with your deserts.

2. Then compare your sufferings with your mercies.

3. Compare your sufferings with those of others.

4. Compare your sufferings with those of Jesus.

5. Think of your present sufferings compared with everlasting torment.

III. Let us turn to the declaration of God respecting the mercy which He has in reserve for his people — HIS GRACIOUS DESIGN TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE. "With great mercies will I gather thee." This gathering, as it has reference to the Church of God, will be seen to have several meanings.

1. As to individuals, it may very fairly express the design of God to gather to Himself those that are far from Him by wicked works.

2. Then, "I will gather" you to the possession and enjoyment of all the privileges of My people — this, of course, must be included — to the fellowship of the saints.

3. Perhaps this may be very fairly applied to God's gathering His saints to Himself by death.

4. There will be the final gathering, the universal gathering at His second coming.

IV. "WITH GREAT MERCIES," He says, "will I gather thee." God, then, is telling His people what are His intentions, and is showing them what are His dispositions to them, in association with these great designs. Let us apply the phrase —

1. To the originating mercy.

2. To the procuring cause.

3. To the efficient cause — the operation of the Spirit.

4. To the providential course of means which God employs.

5. To the nature of the blessings which God has vouchsafed to you, and which He will vouchsafe to you.

(J. Griffin.)

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KJV: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

WEB: "For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you.