I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them
Gathering the redeemed
I. The persons. “The redeemed.” Redeemed in consequence of God’s everlasting love towards them; for had they not been loved of the Father, they would never have been given to Christ, in order to be redeemed by Him. Redeemed from the law’s curse; and from all iniquity; from the wrath to come.
II. The promise. “I will gather them.” This implies that the redeemed are by nature in a scattered state, or in a state of alienation from God. How universal is the departure. “We have turned everyone to his own way,” which is a sinful way, a God-dishonouring, and a soul-distressing way. The gathering work is accomplished in regeneration, at which time they are gathered to Christ for life and salvation: they are gathered or folded together in Church fellowship; and shall by and by be gathered as wheat into the garner.
III. The mean to be made use of. I will hiss for them”; i.e., I will call for them; make the peculiar sound which they will heed, as a shepherd does to call his sheep around him. Shepherds used a whistle. The Redeemer called for His people, by the prophets of old; by John the Baptist; He Called them Himself when He was here upon earth. He called them by His apostles; He calls them now by His ministers. (S. Barnard.)
The interposition of mercy
This passage refers to God’s ancient people, who, for their crimes, had been scattered, but whom He here promises shall be gathered and blessed.
I. The interposition of mercy realised. “I have redeemed them.” By this I understand the redemption by the Son of God. The mediation of Jesus Christ is the meritorious cause of all good to sinful man. All the peace and happiness we possess is due to this mediation. It is the medium of all spiritual good to men individually.
II. The interposition of mercy designed. “I will hiss for them, and gather them.”
1. The end proposed. They are to be gathered. This leads us to reflect on their past condition.
2. The place of their assembling. They shall come to the Cross of the Saviour, to receive from Him all the blessings they need. They shall come to the bosom of the Church.
3. The result of their gathering will be their blessedness and the Divine honour.
4. The instrumentality God will employ. “I will hiss for them.” The allusion is to the shepherd’s pipe or whistle. It has pleased the Lord, in all ages of time, to gather men by means of human agency.
III. The church’s future prosperity. The convulsions of nations, the revolutions of empires shall but contribute to the establishment of His kingdom. His signature is inscribed on every part of the earth; all is His, and He shall soon take possession. (W. Lucy.)