ISRAEL’S ORIGIN IN EGYPT--HELPLESS, UNCLEAN, AND ABOUT TO PERISH
Verses 1-5:
Verse 1 and 2 call upon Ezekiel as the son of man (heir representative of man) to cause Jerusalem (used to represent all Israel) to know her abominations, or recognize her Spiritual impurity, pollution, and offense of sin before God, Jeremiah 5:4; Hosea 5:15; Zechariah 7:11-12; Acts 7:51-52. Her sins were greater than those of other nations because of a greater knowledge of God, her covenant with Him, and her trusteeship to keep His laws and order to worship, as receiver of the "oracles of God," Exodus 19:5-8; Romans 3:1-2. God called upon His prophet to put Israel’s past, present, and future in perspective, whether she liked it or not, so that He might be recognized as just, and she without excuse, when further judgment fell; Men are often too blind to see their own sins. The guilty so often are offended when reproved; Yet this is the Divine way back to God’s favor, Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 33:8-9; Jeremiah 33:22; 1 Timothy 5:10.
Verse 3 declares that Jehovah directed Ezekiel to tell Jerusalem (representative of Israel, as a covenant nation) that her spiritual nativity was in the land of Canaan, with her father an Amorite and her mother a Hittite, as Jesus referred to the Jews, "ye are of your father the devil," John 8:44, as a mere city, Jerusalem was neither Amoritish nor of Hitttite origin, but a Jebusite city, Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21; 2 Samuel 5:6. The sins of the Amorites were great, ripe for destruction, even in Abraham’s day, Genesis 15:16; and the daughters of Heth whom Esau married, caused Rebekah much bitter grief, Genesis 26:34-35; Genesis 27:46.
Verse 4 asserts that Israel’s naval was not cut, nor was she washed from impurities with clean water to cleanse, or dried with salt and swaddled to protect her and dry her skin from purification, when born and cast into the field, a foreign field down in Egypt, Genesis 15:13; Exodus 1:11; Exodus 14:2; Exodus 23:24; Deuteronomy 5:6; Deuteronomy 15:15; Joshua 24:2; Nehemiah 9:7. For it was in Egypt this helpless child nation was born; There God rescued her, cut her navel cord, cleansed her, made her independent from Egypt, led her out by His Spirit, by day and by night, Exodus 12:37-41; Exodus 12:51; Exodus 13:21-22.
Verse 5 states that no "eye pitied," as a nation, to do any of these things to Israel for her purification, protection, or. independence, to show compassion at her birth. But she was cast out in the open field, the land and pastures of Goshen, away from the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s house. Because the Egyptians "loathed" the Israelites who were herdsmen, for every shepherd was an abomination unto the Egyptians, Genesis 46:34. Those who had looked up to Joseph would not ever look down upon his brethren to pity them. Later, even Moses was exposed to death at birth, as a type of his people, but both he and they were delivered by the compassion of God’s providence, Exodus 2:1-10; Exodus 12:41; Exodus 12:50-51.
Verse 6 reminds Israel of God’s pity on her when she was in throes of birth in Egypt. Polluted in her own blood, He looked upon her with compassion and acted in mercy. He called to her, in her own trampled or polluted blood, repeatedly saying, "live." She was being trampled on by the heel of hatred of the Egyptians who had decreed that all her male children should be killed at birth, and laid slave burdens on all the Israelites, sons of Jacob in the land, Exodus 1:15-22. Even so the Lord sees sinners with compassion and calls in pity for them to live.
Verse 7 reminds the nation of Israel that it was He who had caused them to multiply in population, like the bud of the field, the produce, until they had become great, according to His promise, Exodus 1:7; Exodus 1:12. With growing physical beauty and attraction she is described as having excellent ornaments (cheeks of beauty) with uplifted breasts, hair that is grown. Such referred to the beauty of a maid developing to puberty and full womanhood with compulsive attractiveness. God almighty thus beheld her in Egypt, kidnapped her from the land, courted her in the wilderness, was married to her in covenant relationship there in the wilderness, then carried her to her new home in the promised land, as His chosen wife,Exodus 19:1-8; Jeremiah 3:1; Jeremiah 3:6-7; Jeremiah 3:14; Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:19-20. This is Grace, mercy, and love, shown to a people that was found "in her polluted blood," "naked and bare," foul and unclean in an heathen land, and redeemed by the living God who saved her, and chose her for His own, from her barren and naked condition, Hosea 2:3.
Verse 8 describes Israel, when He chose her, as an attractive maid, an object of affection, to be courted and loved, yet so open to harm, Song of Solomon 2:10-12. He spread His skirt of protection and defense over her, to cover her nakedness and shield her from harm of defilement, until He should betroth her to Himself by covenant, as His own, similar to that described, Ruth 3:9; Exodus 20:5-6; Exodus 19:2; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 5:2. He reminds Israel that He "sware unto her and entered into covenant" with her, referring to that betrothal union cited above, at Sinai. He was to love, protect, and provide for her; She was to love, worship, and obey Him, putting away all false gods, thus avoiding spiritual adultery, Exodus 20:1-5.
Verse 9 further describes preparation for marriage by Eastern custom, in which there was a time of purification for the bride, adorning ones self with ornaments, and anointing with oil, Ezra 2:9-12; Israel was required, as God’s espoused, to undergo purification before He entered marriage covenant with her, Exodus 19:14; Jeremiah 2:2-3. The anointing with oil symbolized the Spirit of God that was to flow to Israel by grace, 1 Corinthians 6:11.
Verse 10 further describes what God had done for Israel through His grace, not because of any special virtue in her. He had clothed her with garments of a queen, broidered work, in wrought with silver and gold, wrought with many rich colors, Psalms 45:13-15. He had dressed her as a bride, Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 19:8. he had shod her with badger’s skin, or seal’s skin, soft but durable; It was the kind used for one cover layer on the tabernacle, Exodus 26:14. As His beloved espoused He had girded her with fine, soft linen for the headband and covered her with outer garments of silk, Exodus 24:17; Exodus 29:9; Leviticus 6:10; Leviticus 8:13.
Verse 11 adds that the Lord had withheld no reasonable outward show of courting affection toward His espoused in bedecking her with ornaments, Ephesians 3:20. He placed multiple bracelets upon her hands and a chain about her neck, Proverbs 1:9; with jewelry befitting a princess or a queen, espoused to be married, Genesis 24:22; Genesis 24:30-31; Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:18-19.
Verse 12 states that the Lord put a jewel or Heb ring on the forehead, also rendered "on or in the nose," Isaiah 3:21. He also adorned her with earrings for her ears and a beautiful crown upon her head, indicating that she was to reign as queen over His house, or order of worship, the blue-print of which He gave to Moses, who is alluded to as the builder, Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6; Hebrews 3:1-6. See also Isaiah 3:21.
Verse 13 summarizes what God’s loving grace had done for the maid He caused to live, to grow, and whisked out of Egypt to court, to marry, and to endow in the wilderness, for settling in her new home in Canaan, v. 9-12. There He fed her with fine flour, honey, and oil, the sweet food of royalty, Deuteronomy 32:13-14; Psalms 48:2; Psalms 29:2. She was exceeding beautiful there, and prospered into a kingdom, Exodus 19:5-6; Genesis 49:10.
Verse 14 recounts that Israel’s renowned beauty went forth among the heathen or nations. But He would have Israel recognize that her elevation from a polluting death to beauty and renown as objects of envy among the heathen was of His grace and goodness to her, not of her merit, 1 Kings 10:1; Lamentations 2:15. She was therefore obligated to respond with service and praise and gratitude to Him, not with arrogant pride and rebellion against His laws, Exodus 19:1-8; Exodus 20:1-17. As a kingdom she reached the meridian height of her glory under David and Solomon, as a celebrity among the heathen nations about her, 1Kings Ch. 10. O that men might recognize and continually acknowledge that their redemption and daily blessings are of God’s grace, not of the merit of their being or works, Ephesians 2:8-10; Jonah 2:9.
Verse 15 begins a description of the origin and nature of this apostacy while verse 23 later begins a description of its multitude. Israel’s apostacy is described as that of an adulterer who enters whoredom and gives herself to prostitution, an act of infidelity to her husband, Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 7:4; Micah 3:11. She "trusted in her own beauty and played the harlot because of her renown," Hosea 1:2; Hosea 2:8; or popularity, physical appearing desirability among the heathen. She poured out her fornication on "every one that passed by; his it was." It was spiritual adultery as well as physical, as she consorted with idolatry; Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 7:4; Micah 3:11; Ezekiel 23:3; Ezekiel 23:8; Ezekiel 23:11-12; Isaiah 1:21; Isaiah 57:8; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:2; Jeremiah 3:6; Jeremiah 3:20.
Verse 16 describes the unparalleled contempt of Israel for her lover as she took her garments He had given her and decked the high places of heathen temples with her royal garments, uncovering her nakedness to the high priests of heathen altars, idols, and temples for their nourishing themselves with her naked, uncovered body, she made available to all men, though He had gravely warned against such, Exodus 20:1-5; See also 1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:29; 2 Kings 23:17 describes how the Jewish women wore hangings to adorn the temple of the heathen god Astarte. It was unparalleled in the past and this verse 16 declares that it "shall not come, neither shall it be so," in the future.
Verse 17-19 charge that Israel has taken her precious jewels of silver and gold which God had given her and made to herself for worship, images of man, then committed whoredom with them, Haggai 2:8. She too took the fine queenly garments He had given her and covered idols. She too had taken His fine flour and anointing oil, and honey that He had given her for her meat (food) and worship, and offered it to and before idol, dumb gods, as described Psalms 115:4-9. Such idolatry often concluded special occasion worship with open orgies of licentious, sexual free intercourse, before the idols, Leviticus 2:1-2; Exodus 30:22-25; Exodus 30:32-33.
Verse 20-22 asserts that Israel had stooped to offer her sons and daughters as human sacrifices, to be burned alive in the arms of Molech, causing them to pass through the fire, Leviticus 18:21; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 23:10. In all her whoredoms, prostitution, and adultery, Israel, God’s espoused, did not remember her days of youth, when she was naked, bare, and polluted, ready to die in Egypt, had He not rescued her, v. 43, 60; Jeremiah 2:2; Hosea 11:1; Micah 6:7; See also Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 32:35.
Verse 23 begins a description of the magnitude of Israel’s offense with her accompanying woes, righteously sent upon her, as forewarned, Exodus 20:1-5; Deuteronomy ch. 28; Romans 1:18.
Verse 24 charges that Israel in her whoredom had erected for herself "an eminent place," a fornication chamber, of her own covetous will and accord, in disobedience and rebellion against Him. Her "eminent place" was like a "brothel" or "house of prostitution." Idolatrous worship, accompanied by the popularly sanctioned practice of sexual orgies of fornication and adultery therewith, became the civil order as well as religious order of the nation of Israel, turned heathen herself. She is charged with having erected for herself, her own use, an high place, elevated place or popular worship and licentious house of prostitution "in every street," Isaiah 57:5; Isaiah 57:7; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:2.
Verse 25, 26 further charge Israel with building an high place (of idol worship) at the head of every way (roadway) or crossing, caused her former beauty to be abhorred, degraded to that of a prostitute, as she opened (parted) her feet or spread her legs, to every one that passed by, saying, "I am available," "come and have me," multiplying her whoredoms, Proverbs 9:14. The picture is that of a prostitute, or soliciting "street walker," used to describe the base departure of Israel from her covenant God to be joined to idol gods, even of the Egyptians, showing contempt to her covenant husband, Exodus 19:1-8.
Verse 27 explains that because of such immoral, unethical, ingratitude to which Israel had stooped He had stretched out His hand over them, diminished their food, delivered them as captive victims to the will of heathen who actually hated them, even the heathen Philistines who were ashamed of their lewd way or behavior, Jg ch. 13; 1Sa ch. 4; Jeremiah 2:10-11; Deuteronomy 28:68; 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 9:16; 1 Kings 10:28; 2 Kings 18 ch.; Jeremiah 37:5; Jeremiah 37:7.
Verses 28, 29 charge Israel with having played the whore, with an unsatiable appetite, with the Assyrians, after finding no satisfaction in Africa, yet she could not be satisfied with her newgod relations, Judges 10:6; 2 Kings 10:18; 2 Kings 16:7; Job 10:6; Jeremiah 2:18; Hosea 5:13; Ezekiel 23:14. She had also increased her fornication in the land of Canaan to Chaldea, embracing more and more gods, yet finding no satisfaction with them as blind, deaf, dumb, and lifeless gods, Psalms 115:4-8; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 3:5; 1 John 5:21.
Verse 30, 31 chide Israel for her weak or anemic heart, which sin had weakened, for doing the work of an impudent, whorish woman, building eminent idols and altars, with fornication chambers, at the head of every street and way (crossroad). Yet though debasing herself, she was more base than a harlot who gave herself for pay or hire, Judges 16:15-16; Proverbs 7:11; Proverbs 13:21; Proverbs 30:20; Isaiah 3:9; Jeremiah 3:3; Revelation 17:6. But Israel scorned the pay, impudently practicing whoredom, simply because she chose to do it, not even having an excuse such as might be offered by the prostitute, that, she chose the low path for need of pay or hire, for survival, Romans 2:1-2.
Verses 32-34 further describe Israel as similar to a wife who commits adultery with a stranger rather than seeking satisfaction with her own covenant husband, Numbers 5:19-20; Numbers 5:29. Normally "they"; strange men, give gifts to whores, as Judah did, Genesis 38:1-16. But Israel sought out strange lovers and paid them, to have an affair with her, a debauching thing not even named or approved among the heathen. Therefore Israel acted "contrary" to all heathen’s basest debauchery, giving herself in open shame, even without a whore’s pay. She lived this way of her own covetous will, breaking the three commandments of her own law, regarding idolatry, adultery, and covetousness, Exodus 20:1-17.
Verses 35, 36 are a direct address of the Lord to Israel as an harlot to hear or give heed to the word of the Lord. He declares that because of her: 1) nakedness, uncovering herself, to a multiple mass of lovers, 2) her filthiness of licentious whoredom with the idol worship, and of abominations with their idols, 3) and her giving the blood of her children to these idols, even to be burned to Moloch, v. 20. He had been incensed, stirred to wrath, Romans 1:18; Leviticus 18:21; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 23:10. The term "thy filthiness was poured out," is best expressed in the Heb "thy brass has been lavished," evidently alluding to the giving of her wealth in total commitment to idolatry, down to the cheapest form of copper and brass coins as confirmed Matthew 10:9; Mark 12:41. As silver typifies cleanliness brass typifies filthiness, Jeremiah 13:27.
Verse 37 warns Israel that because of her moral infidelity, through her whoredoms of idolatry, the Lord will gather all her lovers, her consorting paramours with whom she has taken pleasure, and even those she had hated, He will gather them in collusion round about her to humiliate her. He stated that they would strip her naked, publicly, for open loathing, scorn and shame, for public infamy, much as that described to be given to an adulterous woman, Numbers 5:18; Nehemiah 3:5; Isaiah 47:3; Hosea 2:12.
Verse 38 continues to assert that the Lord would judge her in fury and jealousy, as or like women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged, even as adulterers and murderers are judged for their scarlet and crimson sins, as described in the above verse, and Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 13:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; John 8:4-5; Ezekiel 23:45. The visible form of this judgment was to come through political oppression of heathen nations around Israel, whose gods Israel had adopted.
Verse 39, 40 describe the destruction that the invading destroyers of Israel shall inflict on her, because of her moral infidelity and religious rebellion against God and His covenant laws that they had pledged to keep, Exodus 19:1-8. The heathen nations were to destroy their eminent place, fornication chambers, and break down their high places, meaning every temple and altar of their heathen worship, Ezekiel 23:1; Ezekiel 23:41; Ezekiel 23:45. They would then strip them of their clothes, take their fine jewelry and leave them naked, Ezekiel 23:26; Hosea 2:3, as God found them in Egypt, v. 6, 7. These enemies were to come down upon them with a huge armed company and inflict death as follows: 1) By form of capital punishment, as prescribed according to their own law for idolatry, adultery, and murder, Leviticus 20:2; Numbers 15:36; Deuteronomy 22:21. This came to Jerusalem literally, as she was stoned before being burned, Jeremiah 33:4 2) Then the sword followed, as an instrument of slaying large numbers of criminals who sought to flee. It was ordained to be the form of punishment for men seduced to apostasy, Deuteronomy 13:12-15.
Verse 41 states that by means of burning their residences with fire, in the sight of many women, he would cause Israel to cease her playing the harlot, even for engaging in prostitution for no hire, or without any form of pay, 2 Kings 25:9; Jeremiah 39:8; Jeremiah 52:13. After this she was no more to consort with idolatry or Gentile powers, Isaiah 2:18; Ezekiel 23:27.
Verse 42 concludes that through the above described method of punishment upon Israel, the Lord’s harlot wife, He would make His fury toward her to rest, 2 Samuel 21:14; Zechariah 6:8. His jealousy for her would depart, and He would rest, being no more angry toward her for her injury against His name, Isaiah 11:13; Hosea 2:4.
Verse 43 declares that Israel had not remembered, recalled, or respected the days of her youth, v. 22; Psalms 78:42. Instead she had raged, found fault with God for her calamities rather than repenting of her sins. And because of this impenitent attitude God determined to recompense the fruit of her lewd and abominable ways of idolatrous whoredoms upon her head, Ezekiel 9:10-11; Ezekiel 21:22; Ezekiel 21:31. He would not let Israel fix the blame for their suffering on Him, but cause them to know that He would be party to their whoredoms, if He condoned their pursuit of them, without just punishment, Leviticus 19:29.
Verses 44, 45 set forth a proverb against Israel that stated, "as is (exists) the mother, so is (exists) her daughter;" She is said to be her mother’s daughter that continually loathes both her husband and children. And she is identified as the sister of her sisters who loathed their husbands and their children; Their mother was declared to be an Hittite, a Canaanite, and their father an Amorite, whose immoral nature and idol practices had been adopted by Israel. Her daughter was Jerusalem. All in consort did abominably before God, Romans 1:30.
Verse 46 describes Samaria as an elder sister to Jerusalem and Israel, who with her daughters resided at the left hand, and her younger sister that resided at her right hand, was Sodom and her daughters. All held one thing in common---they were all aligned in idolatrous rebellion against God, Numbers 21:25. Samaria is called the great sister and Sodom the smaller sister city of Spiritually idolatrous and reprobate Jerusalem.
Verse 47 charges Jerusalem with a more grave sin than either of her sisters, Samaria to the north, or Sodom to the east. For Jerusalem had greater light from and knowledge of God and His laws. Jerusalem and Israel had: 1) the temple, 2) the sacrifices, 3) the Divinely appointed priests, and 4) the law, advantages over others who had embraced and practiced idolatry with its licentious ways, Romans 3:1-2. She had corrupted morals more than Samaria and Sodom, 1 Kings 11:5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 21:9.
Verse 48 further asserts that Sodom, Jerusalem’s sister to the east, and her daughters had not offended God as grievously, or sinned as seriously as Jerusalem and her daughters, those areas immediately about her, who had more light, See Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:24; See also Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12; Acts 7:52.
Verses 49, 50 describe the sins of Jerusalem’s sister to the east, Sodom. Her sins were: 1) pride, 2) fullness or plenty of bread, 3) an abundance of idleness in both her and her daughters, and 4) she did not help or strengthen the hand (give support to) the poor and needy, Genesis 13:10. Moses had forewarned them of prosperity, that often proves dangerous to virtue, and idleness that leads to temptations and sins and infidelity, Deuteronomy 6:11-12; Hosea 13:6; Isaiah 32:9; Isaiah 32:11; Jeremiah 22:21. Because they were haughty and impudent in these sins, the Lord took them away into judgment, as He saw good, Genesis 13:13; Genesis 18:20; Genesis 19:5; Genesis 19:24.
Verse 50 indicts Jerusalem with greater sins than Samaria who had not committed half of Jerusalem’s sins, Jeremiah 3:11. For Jerusalem, knowing the law of the Lord, multiplied her own abominations, making the abominations of Samaria and Sodom appear as meager in comparison with their own, exemplifying the principal set forth Luke 12:47-48; Matthew 12:41-42.
Verse 52 concludes that Jerusalem has also judged her sisters unjustly, unfairly, while herself having committed more shameful abominations than they. God added "they were more righteous than thou," in their behavior. She is called upon to be confounded, bowed down in penitent shame. Because her conduct had justified her heathen sisters of their sins before the masses of the heathen world, Matthew 7:1-2; Romans 2:1; Romans 2:17-23; Luke 13:2. Though Judah had exalted herself in her own eyes, in comparison with Samaria and Sodom, she was like the Pharisee who had tried to justify himself, in comparison with the publican, Luke 18:9-14; Romans 2:1.
Verse 53 offers assurance that God will restore departed glory to Jerusalem and Israel. They are to be humbled with the assurance however that Sodom and Samaria and their daughters will be restored, before Jerusalem and her daughters, Job 42:10; Other cities of Judah will be restored in order that she may bear her disgrace and be ashamed of her sins, v. 54, 60, 61; Isaiah 1:9; Numbers 14:29-33.
Verse 54 states that then, and only then, will Samaria and Sodom, beholding the just punishment and disgrace suffered by Jerusalem, themselves discern that God is righteous in all His ways, Ezekiel 14:22-23. And Samaria and Sodom will be comforted in assurance that God deals righteously with both Jews and Gentiles, Romans 1:14-16; Romans 2:1-16; Romans 3:9; Romans 3:23; Romans 10:12.
Verse 55 states that when Jerusalem’s sisters (sister cities), Sodom and Samaria, and their daughter cities, return to their former estate, then and only then shall Jerusalem, Judah, Israel and her cities be returned to their former estate, Jeremiah 48:46-47; Jeremiah 49:6. It appears that the restoration of Sodom, Samaria, and Jerusalem shall be contemporaneous.
Verse 56 charges that Jerusalem did not open her mouth to acknowledge that her sins were comparable to those of Sodom, though they were, 2 Peter 2:6. They took no warning from Sodom’s example. Boasting themselves of the temple of the Lord and their chosen lineage they disregarded any need for repentance and reformation from their idolatrous and abominable whoremongering ways, Jeremiah 7:4; Luke 18:9-13.
Verse 57 declares that Jerusalem’s wickedness had been disclosed or discovered before, even as at the time they were reproached by the invasion of Rezin into Judah, and the Philistines, through many indignities that they did to the Jews, 2 Kings 15:37; 2 Kings 16:5; 2 Chronicles 28:18; Isaiah 7:1-9; Isaiah 9:11-12.
Verse 58reaffirms that Jerusalem has borne, or supported her lewdness and abominations which the Lord abhorred, condemned, and punished, Ezekiel 23:49. He would be neither an holy nor a just God if He did not exact or require just punishment for her sins.
Verse 59 reasserts that God will deal with Jerusalem in wrath, to the extent that they had despised their own oath, in breaking the covenant with Him, Exodus 19:5; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; See also Deuteronomy 29:11-12; Deuteronomy 29:14; Where they renewed their covenant with God. God will remember His holy covenant with Israel, to restore her, when her punishment brings her to humble confession of her sins, Leviticus 26:42-45.
Verse 60 certifies that the Lord will then remember the covenant He made with Israel in her youth, as she left Egypt, and will proceed to establish an everlasting covenant with her, according to His own will and purpose, 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalms 106:45; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 50:5. It will be a new covenant, only in the sense that He will extend and perfect the old one, as He extends the sure mercies of David, as the fulfilled promise made to him, later confirmed by the angel Gabriel, Isaiah 55:3; 2 Samuel 7:23; Luke 1:31-34; Galatians 3:17; Hebrews 8:8-13 and Jer ch. 5.
Verse 61 pledges that then Israel will remember her former ways and be ashamed as a fruit of repentance, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; Luke 18:9-14. She will also then receive her sisters, her elders, and her young, which the Lord will give to her by His own grace, Jeremiah 31:31, even associating with the nations about her, not by national covenant at Sinai but solely by His grace, Exodus 24:7. The blessings to all nations flow from God’s promise to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; not His covenant with Israel at Sinai or Horeb, Galatians 3:13-14; Galatians 4:26.
Verse 62 declares that the Lord will establish His covenant with Israel, as pledged at Sinai, Exodus 12:1-8; Hosea 2:19-20. His blessing other nations, in that Golden millennial era, will not weaken or impoverish Israel in her restored glory, Galatians 3:17.
Verse 63 explains that this manifestation of Divine Grace, pledged to Abram and all nations, through his seed, was unconditional. And Israel was to remember her days of pride, rebellion, and shame, and be confounded, no more, never opening her mouth any more (in pride and rebellion) because of her shame, when the Lord had been pacified toward her for all that she has done, Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19. "For where sin abounded grace did much more abound," Romans 5:10; Luke 7:47.
Verses 1-5
EZEKIEL - CHAPTER 16
ISRAEL’S ORIGIN IN EGYPT--HELPLESS, UNCLEAN, AND ABOUT TO PERISH
Verses 1-5:
Verse 1 and 2 call upon Ezekiel as the son of man (heir representative of man) to cause Jerusalem (used to represent all Israel) to know her abominations, or recognize her Spiritual impurity, pollution, and offense of sin before God, Jeremiah 5:4; Hosea 5:15; Zechariah 7:11-12; Acts 7:51-52. Her sins were greater than those of other nations because of a greater knowledge of God, her covenant with Him, and her trusteeship to keep His laws and order to worship, as receiver of the "oracles of God," Exodus 19:5-8; Romans 3:1-2. God called upon His prophet to put Israel’s past, present, and future in perspective, whether she liked it or not, so that He might be recognized as just, and she without excuse, when further judgment fell; Men are often too blind to see their own sins. The guilty so often are offended when reproved; Yet this is the Divine way back to God’s favor, Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 33:8-9; Jeremiah 33:22; 1 Timothy 5:10.
Verse 3 declares that Jehovah directed Ezekiel to tell Jerusalem (representative of Israel, as a covenant nation) that her spiritual nativity was in the land of Canaan, with her father an Amorite and her mother a Hittite, as Jesus referred to the Jews, "ye are of your father the devil," John 8:44, as a mere city, Jerusalem was neither Amoritish nor of Hitttite origin, but a Jebusite city, Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21; 2 Samuel 5:6. The sins of the Amorites were great, ripe for destruction, even in Abraham’s day, Genesis 15:16; and the daughters of Heth whom Esau married, caused Rebekah much bitter grief, Genesis 26:34-35; Genesis 27:46.
Verse 4 asserts that Israel’s naval was not cut, nor was she washed from impurities with clean water to cleanse, or dried with salt and swaddled to protect her and dry her skin from purification, when born and cast into the field, a foreign field down in Egypt, Genesis 15:13; Exodus 1:11; Exodus 14:2; Exodus 23:24; Deuteronomy 5:6; Deuteronomy 15:15; Joshua 24:2; Nehemiah 9:7. For it was in Egypt this helpless child nation was born; There God rescued her, cut her navel cord, cleansed her, made her independent from Egypt, led her out by His Spirit, by day and by night, Exodus 12:37-41; Exodus 12:51; Exodus 13:21-22.
Verse 5 states that no "eye pitied," as a nation, to do any of these things to Israel for her purification, protection, or. independence, to show compassion at her birth. But she was cast out in the open field, the land and pastures of Goshen, away from the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s house. Because the Egyptians "loathed" the Israelites who were herdsmen, for every shepherd was an abomination unto the Egyptians, Genesis 46:34. Those who had looked up to Joseph would not ever look down upon his brethren to pity them. Later, even Moses was exposed to death at birth, as a type of his people, but both he and they were delivered by the compassion of God’s providence, Exodus 2:1-10; Exodus 12:41; Exodus 12:50-51.
Verses 6-14
ISRAEL’S LIBERATION FROM SHAME AND
MISERY IN EGYPT
Verses 6-14:
Verse 6 reminds Israel of God’s pity on her when she was in throes of birth in Egypt. Polluted in her own blood, He looked upon her with compassion and acted in mercy. He called to her, in her own trampled or polluted blood, repeatedly saying, "live." She was being trampled on by the heel of hatred of the Egyptians who had decreed that all her male children should be killed at birth, and laid slave burdens on all the Israelites, sons of Jacob in the land, Exodus 1:15-22. Even so the Lord sees sinners with compassion and calls in pity for them to live.
Verse 7 reminds the nation of Israel that it was He who had caused them to multiply in population, like the bud of the field, the produce, until they had become great, according to His promise, Exodus 1:7; Exodus 1:12. With growing physical beauty and attraction she is described as having excellent ornaments (cheeks of beauty) with uplifted breasts, hair that is grown. Such referred to the beauty of a maid developing to puberty and full womanhood with compulsive attractiveness. God almighty thus beheld her in Egypt, kidnapped her from the land, courted her in the wilderness, was married to her in covenant relationship there in the wilderness, then carried her to her new home in the promised land, as His chosen wife, Exodus 19:1-8; Jeremiah 3:1; Jeremiah 3:6-7; Jeremiah 3:14; Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:19-20. This is Grace, mercy, and love, shown to a people that was found "in her polluted blood," "naked and bare," foul and unclean in an heathen land, and redeemed by the living God who saved her, and chose her for His own, from her barren and naked condition, Hosea 2:3.
Verse 8 describes Israel, when He chose her, as an attractive maid, an object of affection, to be courted and loved, yet so open to harm, Song of Solomon 2:10-12. He spread His skirt of protection and defense over her, to cover her nakedness and shield her from harm of defilement, until He should betroth her to Himself by covenant, as His own, similar to that described, Ruth 3:9; Exodus 20:5-6; Exodus 19:2; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 5:2. He reminds Israel that He "sware unto her and entered into covenant" with her, referring to that betrothal union cited above, at Sinai. He was to love, protect, and provide for her; She was to love, worship, and obey Him, putting away all false gods, thus avoiding spiritual adultery, Exodus 20:1-5.
Verse 9 further describes preparation for marriage by Eastern custom, in which there was a time of purification for the bride, adorning ones self with ornaments, and anointing with oil, Ezra 2:9-12; Israel was required, as God’s espoused, to undergo purification before He entered marriage covenant with her, Exodus 19:14; Jeremiah 2:2-3. The anointing with oil symbolized the Spirit of God that was to flow to Israel by grace, 1 Corinthians 6:11.
Verse 10 further describes what God had done for Israel through His grace, not because of any special virtue in her. He had clothed her with garments of a queen, broidered work, in wrought with silver and gold, wrought with many rich colors, Psalms 45:13-15. He had dressed her as a bride, Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 19:8. he had shod her with badger’s skin, or seal’s skin, soft but durable; It was the kind used for one cover layer on the tabernacle, Exodus 26:14. As His beloved espoused He had girded her with fine, soft linen for the headband and covered her with outer garments of silk, Exodus 24:17; Exodus 29:9; Leviticus 6:10; Leviticus 8:13.
Verse 11 adds that the Lord had withheld no reasonable outward show of courting affection toward His espoused in bedecking her with ornaments, Ephesians 3:20. He placed multiple bracelets upon her hands and a chain about her neck, Proverbs 1:9; with jewelry befitting a princess or a queen, espoused to be married, Genesis 24:22; Genesis 24:30-31; Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:18-19.
Verse 12 states that the Lord put a jewel or Heb ring on the forehead, also rendered "on or in the nose," Isaiah 3:21. He also adorned her with earrings for her ears and a beautiful crown upon her head, indicating that she was to reign as queen over His house, or order of worship, the blue-print of which He gave to Moses, who is alluded to as the builder, Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6; Hebrews 3:1-6. See also Isaiah 3:21.
Verse 13 summarizes what God’s loving grace had done for the maid He caused to live, to grow, and whisked out of Egypt to court, to marry, and to endow in the wilderness, for settling in her new home in Canaan, v. 9-12. There He fed her with fine flour, honey, and oil, the sweet food of royalty, Deuteronomy 32:13-14; Psalms 48:2; Psalms 29:2. She was exceeding beautiful there, and prospered into a kingdom, Exodus 19:5-6; Genesis 49:10.
Verse 14 recounts that Israel’s renowned beauty went forth among the heathen or nations. But He would have Israel recognize that her elevation from a polluting death to beauty and renown as objects of envy among the heathen was of His grace and goodness to her, not of her merit, 1 Kings 10:1; Lamentations 2:15. She was therefore obligated to respond with service and praise and gratitude to Him, not with arrogant pride and rebellion against His laws, Exodus 19:1-8; Exodus 20:1-17. As a kingdom she reached the meridian height of her glory under David and Solomon, as a celebrity among the heathen nations about her, 1Kings Ch. 10. O that men might recognize and continually acknowledge that their redemption and daily blessings are of God’s grace, not of the merit of their being or works, Ephesians 2:8-10; Jonah 2:9.
Verses 15-34
ISRAEL’S PATH OF APOSTACY FROM GOD
Verses 15-34:
Verse 15 begins a description of the origin and nature of this apostacy while verse 23 later begins a description of its multitude. Israel’s apostacy is described as that of an adulterer who enters whoredom and gives herself to prostitution, an act of infidelity to her husband, Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 7:4; Micah 3:11. She "trusted in her own beauty and played the harlot because of her renown," Hosea 1:2; Hosea 2:8; or popularity, physical appearing desirability among the heathen. She poured out her fornication on "every one that passed by; his it was." It was spiritual adultery as well as physical, as she consorted with idolatry; Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 7:4; Micah 3:11; Ezekiel 23:3; Ezekiel 23:8; Ezekiel 23:11-12; Isaiah 1:21; Isaiah 57:8; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:2; Jeremiah 3:6; Jeremiah 3:20.
Verse 16 describes the unparalleled contempt of Israel for her lover as she took her garments He had given her and decked the high places of heathen temples with her royal garments, uncovering her nakedness to the high priests of heathen altars, idols, and temples for their nourishing themselves with her naked, uncovered body, she made available to all men, though He had gravely warned against such, Exodus 20:1-5; See also 1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:29; 2 Kings 23:17 describes how the Jewish women wore hangings to adorn the temple of the heathen god Astarte. It was unparalleled in the past and this verse 16 declares that it "shall not come, neither shall it be so," in the future.
Verse 17-19 charge that Israel has taken her precious jewels of silver and gold which God had given her and made to herself for worship, images of man, then committed whoredom with them, Haggai 2:8. She too took the fine queenly garments He had given her and covered idols. She too had taken His fine flour and anointing oil, and honey that He had given her for her meat (food) and worship, and offered it to and before idol, dumb gods, as described Psalms 115:4-9. Such idolatry often concluded special occasion worship with open orgies of licentious, sexual free intercourse, before the idols, Leviticus 2:1-2; Exodus 30:22-25; Exodus 30:32-33.
Verse 20-22 asserts that Israel had stooped to offer her sons and daughters as human sacrifices, to be burned alive in the arms of Molech, causing them to pass through the fire, Leviticus 18:21; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 23:10. In all her whoredoms, prostitution, and adultery, Israel, God’s espoused, did not remember her days of youth, when she was naked, bare, and polluted, ready to die in Egypt, had He not rescued her, v. 43, 60; Jeremiah 2:2; Hosea 11:1; Micah 6:7; See also Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 32:35.
Verse 23 begins a description of the magnitude of Israel’s offense with her accompanying woes, righteously sent upon her, as forewarned, Exodus 20:1-5; Deuteronomy ch. 28; Romans 1:18.
Verse 24 charges that Israel in her whoredom had erected for herself "an eminent place," a fornication chamber, of her own covetous will and accord, in disobedience and rebellion against Him. Her "eminent place" was like a "brothel" or "house of prostitution." Idolatrous worship, accompanied by the popularly sanctioned practice of sexual orgies of fornication and adultery therewith, became the civil order as well as religious order of the nation of Israel, turned heathen herself. She is charged with having erected for herself, her own use, an high place, elevated place or popular worship and licentious house of prostitution "in every street," Isaiah 57:5; Isaiah 57:7; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:2.
Verse 25, 26 further charge Israel with building an high place (of idol worship) at the head of every way (roadway) or crossing, caused her former beauty to be abhorred, degraded to that of a prostitute, as she opened (parted) her feet or spread her legs, to every one that passed by, saying, "I am available," "come and have me," multiplying her whoredoms, Proverbs 9:14. The picture is that of a prostitute, or soliciting "street walker," used to describe the base departure of Israel from her covenant God to be joined to idol gods, even of the Egyptians, showing contempt to her covenant husband, Exodus 19:1-8.
Verse 27 explains that because of such immoral, unethical, ingratitude to which Israel had stooped He had stretched out His hand over them, diminished their food, delivered them as captive victims to the will of heathen who actually hated them, even the heathen Philistines who were ashamed of their lewd way or behavior, Jg ch. 13; 1Sa ch. 4; Jeremiah 2:10-11; Deuteronomy 28:68; 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 9:16; 1 Kings 10:28; 2 Kings 18 ch.; Jeremiah 37:5; Jeremiah 37:7.
Verses 28, 29 charge Israel with having played the whore, with an unsatiable appetite, with the Assyrians, after finding no satisfaction in Africa, yet she could not be satisfied with her newgod relations, Judges 10:6; 2 Kings 10:18; 2 Kings 16:7; Job 10:6; Jeremiah 2:18; Hosea 5:13; Ezekiel 23:14. She had also increased her fornication in the land of Canaan to Chaldea, embracing more and more gods, yet finding no satisfaction with them as blind, deaf, dumb, and lifeless gods, Psalms 115:4-8; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 3:5; 1 John 5:21.
Verse 30, 31 chide Israel for her weak or anemic heart, which sin had weakened, for doing the work of an impudent, whorish woman, building eminent idols and altars, with fornication chambers, at the head of every street and way (crossroad). Yet though debasing herself, she was more base than a harlot who gave herself for pay or hire, Judges 16:15-16; Proverbs 7:11; Proverbs 13:21; Proverbs 30:20; Isaiah 3:9; Jeremiah 3:3; Revelation 17:6. But Israel scorned the pay, impudently practicing whoredom, simply because she chose to do it, not even having an excuse such as might be offered by the prostitute, that, she chose the low path for need of pay or hire, for survival, Romans 2:1-2.
Verses 32-34 further describe Israel as similar to a wife who commits adultery with a stranger rather than seeking satisfaction with her own covenant husband, Numbers 5:19-20; Numbers 5:29. Normally "they"; strange men, give gifts to whores, as Judah did, Genesis 38:1-16. But Israel sought out strange lovers and paid them, to have an affair with her, a debauching thing not even named or approved among the heathen. Therefore Israel acted "contrary" to all heathen’s basest debauchery, giving herself in open shame, even without a whore’s pay. She lived this way of her own covetous will, breaking the three commandments of her own law, regarding idolatry, adultery, and covetousness, Exodus 20:1-17.
Verses 35-42
ISRAEL’S PUNISHMENT, ACCORDING TO HER SINS
Verses 35-42:
Verses 35, 36 are a direct address of the Lord to Israel as an harlot to hear or give heed to the word of the Lord. He declares that because of her: 1) nakedness, uncovering herself, to a multiple mass of lovers, 2) her filthiness of licentious whoredom with the idol worship, and of abominations with their idols, 3) and her giving the blood of her children to these idols, even to be burned to Moloch, v. 20. He had been incensed, stirred to wrath, Romans 1:18; Leviticus 18:21; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 23:10. The term "thy filthiness was poured out," is best expressed in the Heb "thy brass has been lavished," evidently alluding to the giving of her wealth in total commitment to idolatry, down to the cheapest form of copper and brass coins as confirmed Matthew 10:9; Mark 12:41. As silver typifies cleanliness brass typifies filthiness, Jeremiah 13:27.
Verse 37 warns Israel that because of her moral infidelity, through her whoredoms of idolatry, the Lord will gather all her lovers, her consorting paramours with whom she has taken pleasure, and even those she had hated, He will gather them in collusion round about her to humiliate her. He stated that they would strip her naked, publicly, for open loathing, scorn and shame, for public infamy, much as that described to be given to an adulterous woman, Numbers 5:18; Nehemiah 3:5; Isaiah 47:3; Hosea 2:12.
Verse 38 continues to assert that the Lord would judge her in fury and jealousy, as or like women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged, even as adulterers and murderers are judged for their scarlet and crimson sins, as described in the above verse, and Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 13:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; John 8:4-5; Ezekiel 23:45. The visible form of this judgment was to come through political oppression of heathen nations around Israel, whose gods Israel had adopted.
Verse 39, 40 describe the destruction that the invading destroyers of Israel shall inflict on her, because of her moral infidelity and religious rebellion against God and His covenant laws that they had pledged to keep, Exodus 19:1-8. The heathen nations were to destroy their eminent place, fornication chambers, and break down their high places, meaning every temple and altar of their heathen worship, Ezekiel 23:1; Ezekiel 23:41; Ezekiel 23:45. They would then strip them of their clothes, take their fine jewelry and leave them naked, Ezekiel 23:26; Hosea 2:3, as God found them in Egypt, v. 6, 7. These enemies were to come down upon them with a huge armed company and inflict death as follows:
1) By form of capital punishment, as prescribed according to their own law for idolatry, adultery, and murder, Leviticus 20:2; Numbers 15:36; Deuteronomy 22:21. This came to Jerusalem literally, as she was stoned before being burned, Jeremiah 33:4
2) Then the sword followed, as an instrument of slaying large numbers of criminals who sought to flee. It was ordained to be the form of punishment for men seduced to apostasy, Deuteronomy 13:12-15.
Verse 41 states that by means of burning their residences with fire, in the sight of many women, he would cause Israel to cease her playing the harlot, even for engaging in prostitution for no hire, or without any form of pay, 2 Kings 25:9; Jeremiah 39:8; Jeremiah 52:13. After this she was no more to consort with idolatry or Gentile powers, Isaiah 2:18; Ezekiel 23:27.
Verse 42 concludes that through the above described method of punishment upon Israel, the Lord’s harlot wife, He would make His fury toward her to rest, 2 Samuel 21:14; Zechariah 6:8. His jealousy for her would depart, and He would rest, being no more angry toward her for her injury against His name, Isaiah 11:13; Hosea 2:4.
Verses 43-52
JUSTIFICATION FOR GOD’S JUDGMENT UPON ISRAEL
Verses 43-52:
Verse 43 declares that Israel had not remembered, recalled, or respected the days of her youth, v. 22; Psalms 78:42. Instead she had raged, found fault with God for her calamities rather than repenting of her sins. And because of this impenitent attitude God determined to recompense the fruit of her lewd and abominable ways of idolatrous whoredoms upon her head, Ezekiel 9:10-11; Ezekiel 21:22; Ezekiel 21:31. He would not let Israel fix the blame for their suffering on Him, but cause them to know that He would be party to their whoredoms, if He condoned their pursuit of them, without just punishment, Leviticus 19:29.
Verses 44, 45 set forth a proverb against Israel that stated, "as is (exists) the mother, so is (exists) her daughter;" She is said to be her mother’s daughter that continually loathes both her husband and children. And she is identified as the sister of her sisters who loathed their husbands and their children; Their mother was declared to be an Hittite, a Canaanite, and their father an Amorite, whose immoral nature and idol practices had been adopted by Israel. Her daughter was Jerusalem. All in consort did abominably before God, Romans 1:30.
Verse 46 describes Samaria as an elder sister to Jerusalem and Israel, who with her daughters resided at the left hand, and her younger sister that resided at her right hand, was Sodom and her daughters. All held one thing in common---they were all aligned in idolatrous rebellion against God, Numbers 21:25. Samaria is called the great sister and Sodom the smaller sister city of Spiritually idolatrous and reprobate Jerusalem.
Verse 47 charges Jerusalem with a more grave sin than either of her sisters, Samaria to the north, or Sodom to the east. For Jerusalem had greater light from and knowledge of God and His laws. Jerusalem and Israel had: 1) the temple, 2) the sacrifices, 3) the Divinely appointed priests, and 4) the law, advantages over others who had embraced and practiced idolatry with its licentious ways, Romans 3:1-2. She had corrupted morals more than Samaria and Sodom, 1 Kings 11:5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 21:9.
Verse 48 further asserts that Sodom, Jerusalem’s sister to the east, and her daughters had not offended God as grievously, or sinned as seriously as Jerusalem and her daughters, those areas immediately about her, who had more light, See Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:24; See also Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12; Acts 7:52.
Verses 49, 50 describe the sins of Jerusalem’s sister to the east, Sodom. Her sins were: 1) pride, 2) fullness or plenty of bread, 3) an abundance of idleness in both her and her daughters, and 4) she did not help or strengthen the hand (give support to) the poor and needy, Genesis 13:10. Moses had forewarned them of prosperity, that often proves dangerous to virtue, and idleness that leads to temptations and sins and infidelity, Deuteronomy 6:11-12; Hosea 13:6; Isaiah 32:9; Isaiah 32:11; Jeremiah 22:21. Because they were haughty and impudent in these sins, the Lord took them away into judgment, as He saw good, Genesis 13:13; Genesis 18:20; Genesis 19:5; Genesis 19:24.
Verse 50 indicts Jerusalem with greater sins than Samaria who had not committed half of Jerusalem’s sins, Jeremiah 3:11. For Jerusalem, knowing the law of the Lord, multiplied her own abominations, making the abominations of Samaria and Sodom appear as meager in comparison with their own, exemplifying the principal set forth Luke 12:47-48; Matthew 12:41-42.
Verse 52 concludes that Jerusalem has also judged her sisters unjustly, unfairly, while herself having committed more shameful abominations than they. God added "they were more righteous than thou," in their behavior. She is called upon to be confounded, bowed down in penitent shame. Because her conduct had justified her heathen sisters of their sins before the masses of the heathen world, Matthew 7:1-2; Romans 2:1; Romans 2:17-23; Luke 13:2. Though Judah had exalted herself in her own eyes, in comparison with Samaria and Sodom, she was like the Pharisee who had tried to justify himself, in comparison with the publican, Luke 18:9-14; Romans 2:1.
Verses 53-63
GOD REAFFIRMS HIS COVENANT TO RESTORE
ISRAEL TO HER FORMER GLORY
Verses 53-63:
Verse 53 offers assurance that God will restore departed glory to Jerusalem and Israel. They are to be humbled with the assurance however that Sodom and Samaria and their daughters will be restored, before Jerusalem and her daughters, Job 42:10; Other cities of Judah will be restored in order that she may bear her disgrace and be ashamed of her sins, v. 54, 60, 61; Isaiah 1:9; Numbers 14:29-33.
Verse 54 states that then, and only then, will Samaria and Sodom, beholding the just punishment and disgrace suffered by Jerusalem, themselves discern that God is righteous in all His ways, Ezekiel 14:22-23. And Samaria and Sodom will be comforted in assurance that God deals righteously with both Jews and Gentiles, Romans 1:14-16; Romans 2:1-16; Romans 3:9; Romans 3:23; Romans 10:12.
Verse 55 states that when Jerusalem’s sisters (sister cities), Sodom and Samaria, and their daughter cities, return to their former estate, then and only then shall Jerusalem, Judah, Israel and her cities be returned to their former estate, Jeremiah 48:46-47; Jeremiah 49:6. It appears that the restoration of Sodom, Samaria, and Jerusalem shall be contemporaneous.
Verse 56 charges that Jerusalem did not open her mouth to acknowledge that her sins were comparable to those of Sodom, though they were, 2 Peter 2:6. They took no warning from Sodom’s example. Boasting themselves of the temple of the Lord and their chosen lineage they disregarded any need for repentance and reformation from their idolatrous and abominable whoremongering ways, Jeremiah 7:4; Luke 18:9-13.
Verse 57 declares that Jerusalem’s wickedness had been disclosed or discovered before, even as at the time they were reproached by the invasion of Rezin into Judah, and the Philistines, through many indignities that they did to the Jews, 2 Kings 15:37; 2 Kings 16:5; 2 Chronicles 28:18; Isaiah 7:1-9; Isaiah 9:11-12.
Verse 58 reaffirms that Jerusalem has borne, or supported her lewdness and abominations which the Lord abhorred, condemned, and punished, Ezekiel 23:49. He would be neither an holy nor a just God if He did not exact or require just punishment for her sins.
Verse 59 reasserts that God will deal with Jerusalem in wrath, to the extent that they had despised their own oath, in breaking the covenant with Him, Exodus 19:5; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; See also Deuteronomy 29:11-12; Deuteronomy 29:14; Where they renewed their covenant with God. God will remember His holy covenant with Israel, to restore her, when her punishment brings her to humble confession of her sins, Leviticus 26:42-45.
Verse 60 certifies that the Lord will then remember the covenant He made with Israel in her youth, as she left Egypt, and will proceed to establish an everlasting covenant with her, according to His own will and purpose, 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalms 106:45; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 50:5. It will be a new covenant, only in the sense that He will extend and perfect the old one, as He extends the sure mercies of David, as the fulfilled promise made to him, later confirmed by the angel Gabriel, Isaiah 55:3; 2 Samuel 7:23; Luke 1:31-34; Galatians 3:17; Hebrews 8:8-13 and Jer ch. 5.
Verse 61 pledges that then Israel will remember her former ways and be ashamed as a fruit of repentance, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11; Luke 18:9-14. She will also then receive her sisters, her elders, and her young, which the Lord will give to her by His own grace, Jeremiah 31:31, even associating with the nations about her, not by national covenant at Sinai but solely by His grace, Exodus 24:7. The blessings to all nations flow from God’s promise to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; not His covenant with Israel at Sinai or Horeb, Galatians 3:13-14; Galatians 4:26.
Verse 62 declares that the Lord will establish His covenant with Israel, as pledged at Sinai, Exodus 12:1-8; Hosea 2:19-20. His blessing other nations, in that Golden millennial era, will not weaken or impoverish Israel in her restored glory, Galatians 3:17.
Verse 63 explains that this manifestation of Divine Grace, pledged to Abram and all nations, through his seed, was unconditional. And Israel was to remember her days of pride, rebellion, and shame, and be confounded, no more, never opening her mouth any more (in pride and rebellion) because of her shame, when the Lord had been pacified toward her for all that she has done, Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19. "For where sin abounded grace did much more abound," Romans 5:10; Luke 7:47.