For a brief moment I forsook you
This phrase reflects God's temporary withdrawal from His people, Israel, due to their disobedience and sin. Historically, this can be seen in the context of the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites were taken captive as a consequence of their idolatry and failure to uphold the covenant. Theologically, this momentary forsaking is not indicative of God's permanent abandonment but rather a disciplinary action meant to bring about repentance and restoration. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Lamentations 3:31-32, which reassures that God does not cast off forever.

but with great compassion I will bring you back
Here, the promise of restoration is emphasized, highlighting God's enduring mercy and love. The term "great compassion" underscores the depth of God's grace and His willingness to forgive and restore His people. This is consistent with the broader biblical narrative of redemption, where God repeatedly shows mercy to His people despite their failures. The return from exile is a historical fulfillment of this promise, but it also points to a greater spiritual restoration through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's ultimate act of compassion and reconciliation. This theme is further developed in passages like Hosea 2:14-23, where God speaks of alluring Israel back to Himself with love and mercy.

1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry was primarily to the Kingdom of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the future restoration of Israel.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which faced exile due to its disobedience to God. Isaiah's prophecies often addressed the people of Judah, offering both warnings and hope.

3. Exile
The period when the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon. This event is a backdrop for Isaiah's message of temporary forsaking and eventual restoration.

4. God's Compassion
A central theme in Isaiah 54:7, highlighting God's enduring love and mercy despite temporary judgment.

5. Restoration
The promise of bringing back the people of Judah from exile, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the hope of redemption.Understanding God's Discipline
God's temporary forsaking is a form of discipline meant to bring His people back to Him. It is crucial to recognize that discipline is an expression of His love and desire for our growth.

The Nature of God's Compassion
God's compassion is described as "great," indicating its depth and abundance. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God's mercy is always greater than His judgment.

Hope in Restoration
The promise of restoration is a powerful reminder that no situation is beyond God's ability to redeem. This should encourage believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness.

Endurance Through Trials
Understanding that trials are temporary can help believers endure with patience and hope, knowing that God's compassion will ultimately prevail.

Reflecting God's Compassion
As recipients of God's great compassion, believers are called to extend the same compassion to others, reflecting God's love in their relationships.(7) For a small moment.--Historically the words point to the seventy years of exile, as being but a transient interruption of the manifestation of the everlasting mercies. Spiritually they have wider and manifold fulfilments in the history of individuals, of the Church, of mankind.

Verses 7, 8. - For a small moment have I forsaken thee. The sixty or seventy years of the Captivity were but as a moment of time compared with the long ages during which God had tenderly watched over and protected his Church, and, still more, compared with the eternity during which he was now about to show himself her constant Guardian and Protector. There had been a little wrath; or rather, one burst of wrath; and then Mercy had resumed her sway. The face hid for a moment had been allowed once more to shine upon the afflicted people; and the momentary indignation would be followed by, and swallowed up in, ever-lasting kindness (compare above, Isaiah 26:20 and Psalm 30:5, "His anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning").

Parallel Commentaries ...


For a brief
קָטֹ֖ן (qā·ṭōn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

moment
בְּרֶ֥גַע (bə·re·ḡa‘)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7281: A wink, a very short space of time

I forsook you,
עֲזַבְתִּ֑יךְ (‘ă·zaḇ·tîḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

but with great
גְּדֹלִ֖ים (gə·ḏō·lîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

compassion
וּבְרַחֲמִ֥ים (ū·ḇə·ra·ḥă·mîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden

I will bring you back.
אֲקַבְּצֵֽךְ׃ (’ă·qab·bə·ṣêḵ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken (Isa Isi Is)