Ezekiel — Chapter 20
Chapter 20 is a long historical survey of Israel's rebellions in Egypt, the desert, and Canaan. Lapide uses it to develop his theology of long-suffering divine patience: God gave Israel five separate opportunities for conversion, each time withholding deserved punishment 'for my name's sake.' This history of mercy and ingratitude pre-figures the Church's history.
Verse 5
On the day I chose Israel: Lapide's theology of election — divine choice of Israel is entirely gratuitous, not based on any foreseen merit. He connects to Thomas Aquinas's treatment of predestination (Summa I, q. 23) and cites Augustine's De Praedestinatione Sanctorum extensively.
Verse 25
'Dedi eis precepta non bona': God gave Israel statutes that were not good — referring to the laws permitting child sacrifice? Lapide carefully defends against the apparent impiety of this verse by distinguishing between God's permissive will (allowing Israel to follow their own corruption) and His positive will (the Mosaic Law itself, which is good).
Verse 41
I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations: the eschatological gathering of Israel. Lapide reads this as the promise of the Church's ultimate vindication before all peoples — the sanctifying of God's name through the visible holiness of the community of the redeemed, fulfilled in the martyrs and saints.