(62) Establish my covenant with thee.--The old covenant, having failed, is merged in the new and better covenant promised in 11:19; 18:31; and more fully in Jeremiah 31:31-34. This new covenant, established through a perfect Mediator, can alone perfectly fulfil God's gracious designs for man, although the way for it must necessarily have been prepared by the less perfect covenant of old.16:59-63 After a full warning of judgments, mercy is remembered, mercy is reserved. These closing verses are a precious promise, in part fulfilled at the return of the penitent and reformed Jews out of Babylon, but to have fuller accomplishment in gospel times. The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, who is humbled for his sins, and comes to trust in His mercy and grace through Jesus Christ; but will keep him by his power, through faith unto salvation.And I will establish my covenant with thee,.... See Gill on Ezekiel 16:60; and which is repeated for the comfort of the Lord's people, being ashamed upon the remembrance of their evil ways; and to show the certainty of it, as well as because it is a matter of the greatest importance: and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; a covenant keeping God; true and faithful to my promises, and able to make them good: this is a principal blessing of the covenant of grace, to know the Lord, Jeremiah 31:34. |