“Now when I passed by thee, and looked vpon thee, behold, thy time was the time of loue, and I spread my skirt ouer thee, and couered thy nakednesse: yea, I sware vnto thee, and entred into a couenant with thee, sayth the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
16:8 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 #Ruth 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.