Ezekiel 16:8

“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, &c.] Which the Targum refers to the Lord’s appearance to Moses in the bush; (see Gill on “<261606>Ezekiel 16:6”); behold, thy time [was] the time of love; which the Targum explains of the time of redemption of the people of Israel out of Egypt, which was an instance of the great love of God unto that people; and which time was fixed by him; and when it was come, at the exact and precise time, the redemption was wrought; (see <011513>Genesis 15:13,14 <021240>Exodus 12:40,41); and so there is a set time for the calling and conversion of God’s elect, who are therefore said to be called according to purpose; and, when that time comes, all means…”

“thy time of love--literally, "loves" (compare Sol 2:10-13). Thou wast of marriageable age, but none was willing to marry thee, naked as thou wast. I then regarded thee with a look of grace when the full time of thy deliverance was come (Gen 15:13-14; Act 7:6-7). It is not she that makes the advance to God, but God to her; she has nothing to entitle her to such notice, yet He regards her not with mere benevolence, but with love, such as one cherishes to the person of his wife (Sol 1:3-6; Jer 31:3; Mal 1:2). spread my skirt over thee--the mode of espousals (Rut 3:9). I betrothed thee (Deu 4:37; Deu 10:15; Hos 11:1). The cloak is often used as a bed coverlet in the East. God explains what He…”

“Now when ... - Or, Then I passed by thee ... and behold. The espousal of the damsel represents God’s entering into covenant with the people in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai Exodus 34:27. return to 'Top of Page'”

“When I passed - This second passing by, may be understood of God's visiting and calling them out of Egypt. Thy time - The time of thy misery was the time of love in me towards thee. I spread my skirt - Espoused thee, as Rut 3:9. Entered into a covenant - This was done at mount Sinai, when the covenant between God and Israel was sealed and ratified. Those to whom God gives spiritual life, he takes into covenant with himself. By this covenant they become his, his subjects and servants; that speaks their duty: and at the same time his portion, his treasure; that speaks their privilege. Ezekiel 16:9”

“16:8 At this time, the Lord wrapped his cloak around her, an act that represented a commitment to marriage (cp. Ruth 3:9). The Lord made a covenant with Jerusalem, and in the terms of the metaphor, he married her. When the Lord entered into a covenant with David and his descendants, he also chose Jerusalem as the place for his name to be honored (see 1 Kgs 9:3-4; Ps 132).”

“thy time: Eze 16:6; Deu 7:6-8; Rut 3:9; Sa1 12:22; Isa 41:8, Isa 41:9, Isa 43:4, Isa 63:7-9; Jer 2:2, Jer 2:3; Jer 31:3; Hos 11:1; Mal 1:2; Rom 5:8, Rom 9:10-13 and I: Rut 3:9 I sware: Eze 20:5, Eze 20:6; Exo 19:4-8, Exo 24:1-8, Exo 32:13; Deu 4:31; Jer 2:2, Jer 2:3, Jer 31:32; Hos 2:18-20 Ezekiel 16:9”