A brief exposition on the XII. smal prophets: the first volume containing an exposition on the prophecies of Hosea, Joel, & Amos. By George Hutcheson, minister at Edenburgh.

Vers. 1. WHen Ephraim spake, trembling, he exalted himselfe in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

In the first part of this Chap. the Lord demonstrates that their own sins had procured all the desolation that had come, or should come upon them, and that he had been good unto them, till they by their sins had overturned their own good estate. The first sin which he mentions as destroying them, is their Idolatry in worshipping Baal; Concerning which the Lord cleareth for his part, that Ephraim was not only made a distinct tribe (though he was but the son of one of the twelve Patriarchs who had ano∣ther, at least beside him) and preferred to Manasseh the elder brother; but was so dignified, numerous and potent, that he was formidable to the rest, (as appeared in the person of Joshua, who came of that tribe, Josh 4.14. and in the whole tribe, Judg. 8.1, 2.) Yea, and that tribe was exalted to authority in Israel, Jeroboam the first King of Israel being come of it; So that they had great authority above the rest. But now having brought in the pagan Idolatry of Baal in the dayes of Ahab, Ephraim was become like a dead man, despoiled of authority, many of his subjects cut off, and so broken in his former estate and dignity, that he is not far from utter ruine, though yet he be as one unburi∣ed. He mentions only the Idolatry of Baal as the cause of this ruine, because however they had the golden calves before, and these tended to their destruction; yet it was the cape-stone of their de∣fection, when beside these (in serving of which they pretended some acknowledgement of the true God) they brought in pagan Idols, renouncing him. And after this they began to decay by the invasion of forreigners, having, for most part, had to do on∣ly with Judah before. Doct. 1. As honour and respect is due to superiours; So their power and authoritie over subjects is of God, and to be held of him; For, so is here imported, that God made trembling or reverence, when Ephraim spake, or gave out his commands. See Psa. 18 47. 2. Such as God hath made very eminent may yet go very far wrong; yea, and greatnesse may em∣bolden men to sin; For, it was Ephraim, who when he spake, made trembling, and who exalted himselfe in Israel▪ or was set in high dignity, that offended even in Baal. 3. When men do thus decline, and abuse Gods bounty toward them, his kindnesse

will stand as a witnesse against them; For, therefore is Ephraims former dignity recorded, to witnesse against their way, and to cleare that God was free of the consequences of it. See Dan. 5.19, 20. 4. Sin will undoubtedly blast the eminency, either of persons or Nations, and will lay them low in their repute, esti∣mation, and power, and make them like a dead carcase above ground; For, even glorious Ephraim, when he offended, he died, that is, he looked no more like what he was before, then a dead man hath the activity and vigour of one that is living. 5. Ido∣latry and corrupting of Religion, is, above all sins, a cause of corruption and decay to States and Nations; For, when he of∣fends in Baal, he died. 6. Albeit God be angry at all sorts of I∣dolatry, yet he is more especially provoked, when a people do al∣together renounce him, and choose an Idol in his place, for the object of their worship; And when men will not repent for o∣ther Idolatry, they are justly given up to this grosse defection, to put the certainty of their destruction out of all controversie; For, whatever Israel thought of their calves, and whatever was Gods controversie against them, for them; yet now when he offends in Baal, it is undeniably just that he died, as being under an abo∣minable defection.