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the captives; or from hearing their penitent confessions, and declarations of the crimes, which had filled Jerusalem and Judah. But probably many of them shewed very plainly, by their abandoned conduct, for what crimes God had executed vengeance on the nation; and others, being brought to repentance, made such a report of the abominations which they had witnessed, as silenced all objections, and composed the minds of the pious remnant to cheerful acquiescence, and confidence in the truth and mercy of God. (Marg. Ref.—Notes, 6:8-10. 7:16–19, v. 16. 12:16.)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-11.

or for Daniel, who was not at this time above they would be comforted concerning the evil
thirty years of age, to be ranked with these which the Lord had done to Jerusalem: per-
ancient eminent saints of God, who were most ceiving that he had good cause for all the se-
honored by the answers given to their pray-verity which he had exercised; and taking en-
ers in their own time.-Yet these three em-couragement to expect the performance of his
inent saints, of different ages, had all lived at promises of a future restoration, and of many
once, and united in intercession for a land blessings to the people. It is not certain wheth-
which had filled up its measure of sin, they er this consolation and satisfaction would re-
would not have prevailed. Their righteous-sult from noticing the atrocious wickedness of
ness indeed would either have exempted them
from temporal calamities, or converted them
into blessings: Yet not as the ground of their
acceptance; but their righteous conduct would
evince them to be justified persons, and par-
takers of God's grace and favor; and thus en-
sure his protection and their everlasting sal- ||
vation, according to the tenor of the new cov-
enant. The prayers, examples, and pious la-
bors of eminent believers, have often checked
the progress of national wickedness, promot-
ed reformation and true religion, and thus
conduced to the lengthening of public tran-
quillity; and there is abundant encouragement
during the time of the Lord's patience and
mercy, to use means for the conversion of
children, relatives, and neighbors: yet when Very wicked men may assume such specious
that time expires, and "the days of vengeance" appearances of piety, as to impose upon the
arrive, no intercession can prevail for the im- most discerning ministers of Christ: for who
penitent; nor can any righteous man deliver can know what secret abominations are prac-
his nearest relations from destruction. (Marg.||tised in the lives, or what unmortified lusts
and Marg. Ref.-o-x.-Notes, Jer. 15:1-4.) abound in the hearts, of some, who behave
But if this were the case with any other na- themselves devoutly under the preaching of
tion, the grievous transgressions of which had God's word, and the administration of his
provoked God to commission either famine, most solemn ordinances? But the Lord sees
or destructive beasts, or war, or pestilence, to through every disguise, and will certainly un-
execute his righteous vengeance upon it; if mask every dissembler: (Note, 1 Cor. 4:3—5.)
such men, as Noah, Daniel, or Job, could not and as his answers are addressed to men ac-
prevail for the preservation of a single per- cording to their characters; so we should shew,
son, even one of his own children; how much as well as we can, to whom the comforts, and
more would this be the case with Jerusalem to whom the terrors, belong; “dividing the
and Judah, whose unprecedented crimes con- word of truth" according to the character,
nected with their special religious advantages, conduct, and disposition of our hearers; and
had provoked God to commission against leaving the Lord, by means of the conscience,
them all these four sore judgments at once, to to make the application to individuals. (Notes,
the total desolation of the land! The nation 2 Cor. 4:1,2. 5:9–12, vv. 11,12. 2 Tim. 2:14-
therefore must not hope to escape, because of 18, v. 15.)—All the wickedness of man springs
a very few pious men among them: individu- from a heart estranged from the holy charac-
als must not expect safety, because related to ter, law, and service of God, through the idol-
pious persons: nor ought Daniel, Jeremiah, atrous love of himself, and of the creatures.-
Ezekiel, or other prophets, to repine, that the No external decency, form, or reformation,
Lord would not preserve Jerusalem for their can be acceptable to God, so long as any idol
sakes, or in answer to their prayers. (Marg. possesses the heart, and rivals him in our af-
Ref. y-a.)-Staff of bread. (13) Marg. Ref. g. fections: yet how many sit to hear his word,
-Note, Ps. 105:16.-Sword, go, &c. (17) Notes, and join in his worship, and at his table, who
Jer. 47:6,7.
idolize riches, pleasures, honors, and the praise
of men! who seek happiness from worldly dis-
tinctions, and confide and rejoice in them, rath-
er than in the love and service of God! and
how many, who prefer their own wisdom and
righteousness to his glorious salvation! Thus,
instead of saying, "What have I to do any
more with idols?" and casting them away with
abhorrence, they resolutely cleave to them;
and these prove stumbling blocks, over which
they fall into iniquity and misery. By their
secret attachment to worldly objects, they are
prepared to listen to the tempter, and to com-
mit scandalous crimes; or, loving this present

V. 22, 23. Though the Lord determined to desolate Jerusalem and Judah, and to execute his "four sore judgments" on the inhabitants: yet for his own name's sake, and out of respect to his covenants with Abraham and David, and his promises relative to the Messiah, he would preserve the lives of a remnant of the Jews, who still remained in the land; both sons and daughters, that they might yet increase for the future replenishing of the land. These would be carried captive into Chaldea: and when the few pious Jews, who were there before, should "see their ways and doings,"

CHAP. XV.

e

fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of The unfitness of the wood of a vine for any thing but the fire, 1 it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?

-5; an emblem of the character and doom of the Jews, 6-8.

AND the word of the LORD came unto

2 Son of man, a What is the vine-tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

3 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for

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world, they apostatize from God; (Notes, 1
Tim. 6:6-10, vv. 8-10. 2 Tim. 4:9-13.) or
cares, riches, and sensual lusts render them
unfruitful cumberers of the ground, fit for
nothing but to be hewn down and cast into
the fire: and "should the LORD be inquired of
by such men, or give encouragement to them?" ||
Assuredly, he will "answer them according to
the multitude of their idols" and iniquities: he
"will set his face against them," and make
them examples of his vengeance: whilst their
hypocritical worship will only aggravate their
guilt and punishment, and they shall know
that the heart-searching God cannot be im-
posed upon like their fellow mortals. Such
persons often grow weary of faithful minis-
ters, and want "teachers after their own lusts,"
to comfort them in their evil courses; and they
find others of like character ready enough to
"teach things which they ought not, for filthy
lucre's sake." Thus evil men and seducers
"are multiplied, and grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived:" (Notes, 2 Tim.
3:13. 4:1-5, vv. 3,4.) but the Lord over-rules
the whole in awful righteousness, to their mu-
tual delusion and aggravated destruction. He
sets his face against some of these teachers
and professors of the gospel, for a warning to
others: his punishments and threatenings have
a tendency to alarm the consciences of the
unconverted, and to caution his people to go
no more astray from him; and they are made
useful to upright believers. The door of mer-
cy is still open: sinners are still called on to
repent, and turn from all their abominations:
and all are admitted among the Lord's people,
and have him for their God, who seek to be
cleansed by "washing in the Fountain, which
he hath opened for sin and uncleanness."

V. 12-23.

5 Behold, when it was whole, it was t meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned!

6 Therefore thus saith the Lord Gon; As the vine-tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jeru salem.

7 And I will set my face against them:

e Is. 1:31. Am. 4:11. Mal. 4:1.
Matt. 3:12. Heb. 12:29.
Heb. Will it prosper.
Heb. made fit.

f 2. 17:3-10. 20:47,48. Is. 5:1

-6,24,25. Jer. 4.7. 7:20. 21:

7. 24:8-10. 25:9-11.13. 21-27. Zech. 1:6. g 14:8.

44:

Lev. 17:10. 20.3-6. 26:17. Ps. 34:16. Jer. 21:10.

very beasts of the field in various ways share the miseries of mankind. (Note, Rom. 8:18— 23.) But in the future world sinners alone will suffer, and that in proportion to their personal guilt. Then the assembled universe will see, that "the LORD hath not done without cause, all that he hath done against them:" and his servants will be satisfied with his decisions, even against their nearest relatives. For the detection of men's sins will manifest the justice of God in their punishment; even as the humble confessions of true believers now magnify the precepts and penalty of his holy law, and give all the glory of salvation to his grace.-In a firm belief, that we shall approve all the dispensations of God, towards ourselves and all mankind, when the whole shall be fully made known to us; let us now impose silence upon our rebellious murmurs and objections, the offspring of pride, ignorance, and unbelief; let us discard our useless anxiety about the case of others, assured that “the Judge of all the earth will do right;" and let us compose our minds into patient resignation to his will, which in all things is “holy, just, and good.'

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NOTES.

CHAP. XV. V. 1-5. Ezekiel and his companions seem not to have been easily satisfied, about the predicted judgments on Jerusalem and their nation, which they had been used to consider as "holiness to the LORD." He was therefore graciously pleased to represent to them the propriety of these dispensations, by an apt similitude, which would also counteract the presumptuous hopes of the people. The church and nation of Israel had often been compared to a vine. (Marg. Ref. a.Notes, Deut. 32:32,33. Ps. 80:8—16. Is. 5:1–7. Jer. 2:20,21.) A vine is peculiarly valuable if God will inflict many sore judgments on in- fruitful; otherwise it is almost as unsightly dividuals and nations who sin against him: a and worthless as a bramble: other fruit-trees remnant of pious persons may indeed for a time may be of some use for timber, but the vine is avert or retard national judgments; but they of no value except for its fruit. "What is the cannot possibly prevail with him to tolerate wood of the vine more than another tree, or wickedness, or to save men in their sins; nor even than a branch of the trees of the forest?" could they in their right mind desire it, even Wood could not be taken from it for any work; in behalf of their own sons and daughters. not even for a pin or peg to hang a vessel on. The Lord will certainly deliver his servants (Note, Is. 22:20-25, vv. 23-25.) Only some "from all evil, and preserve them to his heav- parts of other trees are used for fuel: but "the enly kingdom;" and he will satisfy them as to ends and the middle," the whole of the vine his dealings with those, for whom they plead- when cut down, as well as the prunings of it ed in vain but when the day of patience is from year to year, are consigned to the fire, and expired, the same word and oath of God, nobody attempts to reserve any part of it for which ensure the believer's salvation, are en- other uses. And if it is useless, before it be cast gaged for the condign punishment of the into the fire, what can it be good for when alwicked. At present, "the whole creation most consumed? (Marg. and Marg. Ref. b—e. groaneth" through the sins of men, and the-Notes, John 15:6—8, v. 6.) 500]

they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.

8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have *committed a trespass, saith the Lord God.

CHAP. XVI.

The original state of Jerusalem is shewn under the emblem of an exposed infant, 1-5; whom God is represented, as rescuing, educating, espousing, and richly providing for, 6-14; but she commits the most abandoned and multiplied adulteries, 15 -34: and is threatened with most terrible punishments, 35

49.

Her crimes shewn to equal those of her mother, the Hit

tite, and to exceed those of her sisters, Sodom and Samaria, 44-59.

Yet at length she will be received to favor, and be

deeply ashamed of her base conduct, 60-63.

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4 And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born, thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

any

5 None eye pitied thee, to do h of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the loathing of thy person, in the

AGAIN, the word of the LORD came day that thou was bor

a

cause Jerusalem to

unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, know her babominations;

h1 Kings 19:17. Is. 24:18. Jer. 48:43,44. Am. 5:19. 9:1-4.

i 6:7. 7:4. 11:10. 20.38,42,44. Ps. 9:16.

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ence.

Zeph. 1:18.

Heb. trespassed a trespass.
2 Chr. 36:14-16,

a 20:4. 22:2. 23.36. 33:7. Is.
58:1. Hos. 3:1.
b 8:3-17.

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dry fuel to the flames: and when the Lord sets his face against them, they will go from one fire to another, till they be consumed. (Notes, Matt. 3:7—10. Heb. 6:7,8.) Let us then beware of an unfruitful profession of the gospel: let us come to Christ and "abide in him," and seek to have "his words abide in us:" then shall we bring forth much fruit, glorify God, and be approved as true disciples of the Lord Jesus; whilst the unfruitful branches will be broken off, gathered together, and cast into the fire.

V. 6-8. The nation of Israel, of which the inhabitants of Jerusalem were the chief, was, in respect of other nations, as the vine in respect of the trees of the forest. Other nations || were renowned for arts and arms, and became eminent and formidable, and the Lord used them in his providence as he saw good: but Israel was his vine, from which he looked for || the fruits of spiritual worship and holy obediThey, however, proved unfruitful, or brought forth poisonous berries like the wild vine. (Marg. Ref. f.-Notes, Is. 5:1-7.) He would therefore at present make no use of them, except as fuel to the fire of his indignation, that his justice might be glorified in their CHAP. XVI. V.2. Ezekiel prophesied in Chalpunishment. By the ruin of the ten tribes, dea; but his predictions chiefly related to the and the preceding judgments executed upon Jews in their own land, and tended to corrobJudah, both ends of the vine were already orate those of Jeremiah; and Jeremiah, whilst burned, and the Lord did not mean to pre- he prophesied at Jerusalem, sent messages to serve the middle. He had set his face against the captives. (Notes. Jer. 29:) Thus the two Jerusalem and Judah, as an adversary; and prophets assisted each other, by this apparent the people would be consumed by one calami-interference with one another's work.-In the ty after another, till the land should be utterly desolated. (Marg, and Marg. Ref. g-k. -Notes, 17:3-10. 20:45-48. Ps. 87: P. O.)

NOTES.

foregoing chapter, the conduct of God towards the Jews had been justified, by shewing that they were an unfruitful vine: yet this was not the worst of them by far; for the horrible PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. crimes committed by them merited the severest punishments. But pride and self-flattery The condescension of God to the infirmity rendered the people blind to all the abominaof his servants, in satisfying them concerning tions which filled Jerusalem; these the prophthe equity and propriety of his dealings withet was to represent to them by a parable, that sinners, is very great.-Men are very prone to they might see themselves as in a glass, and value themselves on those distinctions and ad-discover what manner of persons they were. vantages, which, not being productive of suita- ||(Marg. Ref.-Notes, 20:4. Is. 58:1,2.) ble effects on their hearts and lives, render V. 3-5. The subsequent allegory, or parthem doubly criminal. Unholy professors of able, immediately related to the nation of Isevangelical truth, and hypocritical worship- rael; but, as that was the visible church of pers of the true God, are, in his judgment, the God, and a type of his true people, it has genrefuse of the human species; for they dishon-erally been accommodated to the case of indior his name more than other sinners do, and will be rendered by him proportionably contemptible. No eminence in other endowments can avail them any thing; for fruitfulness in good works is the proper excellency of a professed Christian: and indeed, in all other things the church has generally been eclipsed by the people of the world.-When the worshippers of God, therefore, do not glorify him, adorn the gospel, and serve their generation, by their holy lives; they are condemned as refuse wood, as thorns and briers, and prove as

vidual believers: yet, unless this be done with great caution, very erroneous and injurious conclusions may be deduced from it. For every one must perceive the absurdity of supposing, that true believers, after conversion, actually run into all the enormous wickedness described in this allegory; so as to exceed in every abomination the worst enemies of religion. The prophet was commanded to remind Jerusalem of her base and mean original. It is evident, that the beginning relates to the whole nation of Israel; but afterwards a dis

6 And when I passed by thee, and saw || over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, thee polluted in thine own blood, I said PI sware unto thee, and entered into a covunto thee when thou wast in thy blood, enant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and 'Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou thou becamest mine. wust in thy blood, Live.

7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.

8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, "thy time was the time of love; and I spread my

k Ex. 2:24,25. 3.7,8. Acts 7:34. *Or, trodden under foot. Is. 14 19. 51:23. Mic. 7.10. Matt. 5:13. Heb. 10:29. Rev. 14:20. 1 20:5-10. Ex. 19:4-6. Deut. 9:4,5. Ps. 105:10-15,26-37. John 5:25. Rom. 9:15. Eph. 2:4,5. Tit. 3:3-7.

Heb. made thee a million. Gen. 22:17. Ex. 1:7. 12:37. Acts 7:17.

Heb. ornament of orna

skirt

ments. 10-13,16. Ex. 3:22.
Deut. 4:8. 32:10-14. 33:26-
29. Neh. 9:18-25. Ps. 135:
4. 147:20. 143:14. 149:2—4.
Is. 61:10. 62.3.

m 22. Job 1:21. Hos. 2:3,9,10.
Rev. 3:17,18.

n 6. Deut. 7:6-8. 1 Sam. 12:22.
Is. 41:8,9. 43:4. 63.7-9. Jer.
2:2,3. 31:3. Hos. 11:1. Mal. 1:
2,3. Rom. 5:8. 9:10-13.
o Ruth 3:9.

8

9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. 10 1 clothed thee also with 'broidered work, and shod thee with "badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

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tinction is made between Jerusalem and Sa- This is repeated, the more deeply to fix the maria.-Jerusalem, though at length "the holy reader's attention to that circumstance. Nothcity," was originally built by the Canaanites; ing in the character of Israel deserved his faand generally inhabited by the Jebusites, vor or attracted his esteem; but every thing who were descended from Canaan, till David was suited to excite his abhorrence and to took it. (Notes, Gen. 10:15-19. Judg. 1:21. 2 merit his indignation: yet from mere compasSam. 5:6-8.) Yet Jerusalem's "birth and na- || sion and good-will he preserved the nation. tivity of the land of Canaan," refers rather to (Notes, 20:5-9. Deut. 9:4—6. Eph. 2:4—10. Tit. the inhabitants than to the city itself. Abra- 2:4-7.) He spake with power; and by his ham and Sarah, the ancestors of Israel, had word he restrained the rage of their Egyptian originally been idolaters, as the Hittites and oppressors, and at length redeemed Israel from Amorites were: (Note, Josh. 24:2.) and their bondage. By his blessing they had multiplied posterity, when they had expelled these na- exceedingly in Egypt: at length they were tions, and possessed their land, seemed to be|| brought forth with an out-stretched arin, and their descendants, as resembling them in formed into a powerful nation, under rulers character and conduct. (Notes, Matt. 3:7-10. and princes of their own. The Lord also John 8:37-40. Rom. 4:9-17.)-Thou boastest adorned them with "ornament of ornaments,' 'to be the seed of Abraham, but thou art de- (marg.) that is, most abundant ornaments, by 'generate, and followest the abominations of giving them his righteous laws and statutes; the wicked Canaanites, as children do the and setting up his tabernacle, and manifesting 'manners of their fathers.-The nativity of his power and presence among them; by the Israel, as a distinct people, may be dated from ark of the covenant, the pillar of fire and cloud, the time when the family of Jacob was multi-the solemnities of mount Sinai, and the mir plied into a nation. But, at this period, they acles which he wrought for them. (Marg, and were reduced to abject slavery, and cruelly Marg. Ref. m, n.) Thus the out-cast infant oppressed; they drudged in the brick-kilns, and grew up to be a marriageable woman, of comely were covered with the clay; their male chil-form and excellently decorated: that is, Israel dren were ordered to be slain or exposed; they was prepared to be admitted into covenant with were apparently deserted of God, and in gen- God, and espoused to him to bring up children eral forgetful of him, and polluted with the to him. This he had in view from the first: idolatries, superstitions, and vices of their op- when he passed by, and saw the perishing pressors. (Marg. and Marg. Ref.-Notes, 20: out-cast, it was "a time of love;" he intended 5—9. 23:3. Ex. Ï:14–22. 5:12-23. Ps. 68:13. first to be a Father, and then a Husband unto 81:6.) Thus the new-born uation, (so to speak,) her: so that "he spread his skirt over her," was like an infant, which was cast out and ex- (Note, Ruth 3:9.) and espoused her to himself, posed, according to the barbarous custom of covering the shame of her former destitute ancient times, and of many heathen nations at condition, taking her under his immediate prothis day; which had none to wash, cleanse, and tection, and ennobling her by this high and clothe it, or do any thing for it; but was left, as honorable relation. (Marg. Ref. p.-Notes, 23: unpitied and loathed, to perish in the day on 4. Cant. 3:11. Jer. 2:2,3. 31:31-34. Hos. 1:2,3.) which it was born.-This was an apt repre- This covenant was confirmed with an oath, or sentation of the wretched and perilous con-engagement to fidelity, and thus Israel became dition of Israel in Egypt: and it is also a striking emblem of our original state of sin and misery. (Notes, Eph. 2:1-3. Tit. 3:3.)

the Lord's peculiar people. And, as a wife (especially when taken from so destitute a situation, and favored in so extraordinary a manV. 6-8. Whilst this perishing infant lay ner,) is bound to the most unreserved fidelity, defiled and trampled on in its blood, a loath- obedience, love, and regard to her husband; some as well as a pitiable object; the Lord so Israel was bound by every possible obligapassed by, beheld it with compassion, and said tion to a devoted attachment to God, and an to it, "Live." (Marg. and Marg. Ref. k, 1.- entire dependence on him, as his holy worshipNotes, Ex. 2:5-9. Luke 10:30-37, vv. 30-34.)||pers and obedient servants.

c

12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, els of my gold and of my silver, which I and bear-rings in thine ears, and a beau- had given thee, and madest to thyself imtiful crown upon thine head. ages of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

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13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine 18 And tookest thy broidered garlinen, and silk, and broidered work; thouments, and coveredst them: and thou hast didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: set mine oil and mine incense before ⚫ and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and them. thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

14 And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect "through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

k

15 ¶ But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

16 And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colors, and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.

19 My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savor: and thus it was, saith the Lord God.

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17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jew-ed

Heb. nose. Gen. 24:22. marg. Is. 3:21.

b Gen. 35:4. Ex. 32:2. 35:22. Num. 31:50. Judg. 8:24. Job 42 11. Prov. 25:12. Hos. 2:13. c Lev. 8:9. Esth. 2:17. Is. 28: 5. Lam. 5:16. Rev. 2:10. 4:4, 10. d 19. Deut. 8:8. 32:13,14. Ps. 81:16. Hos 2:5.

e 14,15. Ps. 43:2. 50:2, Is. 64:
11. Jer. 13:20.

f Gen. 17.6. 1 Sam. 12:12, 13.
2 Sam. 2:15. 1 Kings 4:21. ||
Ezra 4:20. 5:11.

g Deut. 4:6-3,32-38. Josh. 2:
9-11. 9:6-9. 1 Kings 10:1,
&c. 24. 2 Chr. 2:11,12.

h 1 Cor. 4:7.

i 33:13. Deut. 32:15. Is. 48:1,
2. Jer. 7:4. Mic. 3:11. Zeph. blood.

3.11.

Matt. 3:9.

k 20:8. 23:3,8,11,12,&c. Ex. 32:
6,&c. Num. 25:1,2. Judg. 2:
12,13, 3:6. 10:6, 1 Kings 11:
5-8. 12:28. 2 Kings 17:7,&c.
21:3-11. Ps. 106:35-39. Is.
1:21. 57:8. Jer. 2:20,23-28.
3:1,2,6,20. Hos. 1:2. 4:10-14.
Rev. 17.5.
25,36,37.

m 17,18. 7:20. 2 Kings 23:7.
2 Chr. 28:24. Hos. 2:8.

n 7:19, 23:14,&c. Ex. 32:1-
4. Hos. 2:13. 10:1.

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V. 9—14. These verses (continuing the al-ed to be a princess, whose ornaments, raiment, legory of an out-cast infant, which a traveller and provisions were suited to her high and sees, and pities, and takes care of,) enumer-distinguished rank. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. S ate the several benefits conferred on Israel, f.-Gen. 24:22,53.-Notes, Deut. 32:13,14. Prov. from their low estate in Egypt, to the height 1:9. Is. 3:18-26, vv. 18-23. 61:10,11. Eph. 5:22 of their prosperity and greatness in the days -27.)-Israel from the most abject state beof David and Solomon.-The washing with came a powerful kingdom, renowned among water might refer to the frequent ablutions, the nations, for the wise and equitable adminand purifications appointed by the ceremonial istration of their princes, the excellence of their law; but it included all the methods, which the laws, and the prosperity and happiness of the Lord used to render Israel a holy nation, to people: this was wholly owing to "the comelipurge them from the idolatries and defilements ness" or honor which the Lord had "put upon of Egypt, and to prepare them for his spiritual them;" and it rendered them a complete patworship and service. (Marg. and Marg, Ref. q.) tern for other nations to copy after. (Marg. The anointing with oil, though employed on Ref. g, h.-Notes, Deut. 4:6-8. 1 Kings 4:29festive occasions, or preparing women for their 34. 10:1-9,24-27. 2 Chr. 2:11,12. Ps. 48:1— nuptials on some occasions, (Ruth 3:3. Esth. 3.) In this, the case differs from the espousals 2:12. Is. 57:9.) may yet refer to the holy oil used of the meanest woman to the mightiest monin the consecration of the priests and the ves- arch: she may owe all her rank and ornaments sels of the sanctuary; and it signified the gifts to him; but her beauty must be the gift of the and graces bestowed on numbers, for the ed- Creator.-No doubt this is emblematical of a ification and benefit of the nation, in order to sinner's conversion, and of the believer's priv their consecration to the Lord. (Marg. Ref. r.) ileges; but the external means, or the signs, of The various ornaments afterwards mentioned, spiritual blessings, rather than the blessings which doubtless accorded to the attire of fe- themselves, must be intended, as it is spoken males of the highest rank in those times, rep-of Israel as a nation.-'As the child is always resented Israel's settlement and prosperity in Canaan; the wealth, power, and honor to which they were advanced, especially under David and Solomon; the building and enriching of the temple; and all the temporal and V. 15–22. Adultery in all cases has always, spiritual benefits, by which the Lord distin- in every country, been deemed a very heinous guished them as a people dear unto him. So offence, and it was by the law of God a capital that the exposed infant, being rescued and ed-crime: but it would be peculiarly aggravated in ucated, and espoused to the Lord, was advanc-a woman, who had been favored and advanced

'washed with water as soon as born, (4,9.) is 'not this referred to by the use of water in Christian baptism, as the emblem of regen'eration?' Mede.

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