18. tookest thy . . . garments . . . coveredst them—that is, the idols, as if an adulteress were to cover her paramours with garments which she had received from the liberality of her husband. my oil—the holy anointing oil sacred to God ( :-). Also that used in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:1; Leviticus 2:2). read more
The prostitution of Jerusalem 16:15-34 read more
Jerusalem used the gifts that God had given her to make idols and to worship them rather than her Lord (2 Kings 23:7; Jeremiah 10:9). The people made phallic images out of God’s gifts with which they engaged in sex (Ezekiel 16:17; cf. Isaiah 57:8), or perhaps full human figures are in view. read more
The Foundling Child who became an Unfaithful WifeFrom Hosea onwards the prophets spoke of idolatry under the figure of unchastity. God was the husband of Israel, but she proved unfaithful to Him. This thought has already been expressed by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 6:9, and it is now expanded into an elaborate historical allegory. The subject is nominally the city of Jerusalem, but really the whole nation of Israel. Jerusalem was a girl-child of heathen extraction, who was exposed in infancy to die... read more
Ezekiel 16:6 Weakness can speak and cry when we have not a tongue. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said to thee, Live. The kirk could not speak one word to Christ then; but blood and guiltiness out of measure spake, and drew out of Christ pity, and a word of life and love. Samuel Rutherford. Ezekiel 16:14-15 When one is in bed and really ill, one would gladly sacrifice one's complexion or one's bright eyes to regain health and enjoy the sunshine. And... read more
JERUSALEM-AN IDEAL HISTORYEzekiel 16:1-63IN order to understand the place which the sixteenth chapter occupies in this section of the book, we must remember that a chief source of the antagonism between Ezekiel and his hearers was the proud national consciousness which sustained the courage of the people through all their humiliations. There were, perhaps, few nations of antiquity in which the flame of patriotic feeling burned more brightly than in Israel. No people with a past such as theirs... read more
Ezekiel 16:1-63 . This chapter consists of four sections: 1. The parable of the abandoned child. 2. Jerusalem’s idolatries and moral degradation (Ezekiel 16:15-34 ). 3. The doom of Jerusalem and the promise of restoration (Ezekiel 16:35-59 ). 4. The covenant remembered (Ezekiel 16:60-63 ). The parable of the abandoned child, and what the gracious Lord did for the little one is a most beautiful demonstration of what He had done in His sovereign love and grace for Jerusalem. It must be read first... read more
PARABLES AND RIDDLES THE UNFAITHFUL WIFE (Ezekiel 16:0 ) The theme of chapter 16 is Jerusalem and her abominations (Ezekiel 16:1-2 ), but it is worked out in parabolic form, Jerusalem, or the nation of Israel, being personified as a female. There are five stages in the story: (1) Jehovah adopts her as an infant (Ezekiel 16:1-7 ); (2) when attained to marriageable age she becomes his wife (Ezekiel 16:8-14 ); (3) as a wife she proves unfaithful (Ezekiel 16:15-34 ); (4) punishment follows... read more
We have here, under the same figure, carried on, of the sad departures which, even after grace, is too often discoverable in the Church. Israel, of old, to whom the Prophet is speaking, was remarkable for this apostacy and rebellion through their whole history. And the Church of God now may but too justly be arraigned to the question, What then are we better than they? No in no wise. Romans 3:9 . Reader! let us seek personally for the profiting by this sacred scripture, and leave Israel's... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 16:1-43
The unfaithfulness of Jerusalem (16:1-43)In this chapter Ezekiel describes Judah’s relationship with Yahweh by means of a long and colourful illustration. The ancient nation Israel began life in Canaan as a hated people of mixed blood and mixed culture. It was like an unwanted baby girl thrown out at birth and left to die (16:1-5). Then a passing traveller (Yahweh) picked the baby up and gave it a chance to live. The girl survived and grew, though without training or upbringing (6-7).Many years... read more