Ezekiel 16:1

CHAPTER XVI

In this chapter the mercy of God to Jerusalem, (or the Jewish

Church and nation,) is set forth by the emblem of a person that

should take up an exposed infant, bring her up with great

tenderness, and afterwards marry her, 1-14.

She is then upbraided with her monstrous ingratitude in

departing from the worship of God, and polluting herself with

the idolatries of the nations around her, under the figure of

a woman that proves false to a tender and indulgent husband,

15-52.

But, notwithstanding these her heinous provocations, God

promises, after she should suffer due correction, to restore

her again to his favour, 53-63.

The mode of describing apostasy from the true religion to the

worship of idols under the emblem of adultery, (a figure very

frequent in the sacred canon,) is pursued unth great force, and

at considerable length, both in this and the twenty-third

chapter; and is excellently calculated to excite in the Church

of God the highest detestation of all false worship.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVI