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.

Verse 19. Egypt shall be a desolation, and E∣dom shall be a desolate wildernesse, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in the land.

20. But Iudah shall dwell for ever, and Ierusa∣lem from generation to generation.

The sixth promise is, that their inveterate enemies (such as Egypt and Edom had been of old) shall be utterly destroyed, be∣cause of the injuries done to them; Whereas the Lord shall not only establish, but continue them a Church to him, from age to age after their conversion: Whence learn, 1. Inveterate e∣nemies to the people of God, and such as do cruelly oppresse them after the manner of Egypt of old, and do prove false brethren to them, as Edom did of old, will certainly be destroyed, and that utterly, that so an end may be put to their opposition; for, Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wildernesse, or made void of inhabitants. This is oft repeated again and again, that others who trace these steps, may see their own danger before∣hand, and study to prevent it; and to assure the godly that this is not a rash sentence, but such as he will not recal it. 2. A peoples opposition to the Church of God, and their violence and cruelty toward them, is a special controversie which God will pro∣secute; for, this sentence is given out, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed blood, &c. 3. The Lords controversie against his people for sin, because of which he lets enemies loose upon them, doth not make the quarrel of enemies the more just, nor doth his peoples blood which they shed, cease to be innocent blood for all that, and to cry for venge∣ance upon them; For, saith he, they have shed innocent blood.

4. If this, that they have shed blood in their land, be referred to Egypt and Edom, that they were cruell to such Jewes as lived in exile among them; It doth teach, that mens cruelty is so much the more odious before God, when it is exercised on these who are already broken with afflictions. But it seemes rather to be understood of the Jewes land, which these enemies invaded: and so it holds out that cruelty is odious when men exercise it upon these who have given them no provocation, as they did on Judah, when they were staying at home, and not troubling them. 5. Albeit the Church do oftentimes seem to be furthest behinde of any society, for outward prosperity; yet the time will come, when she shall see her own mercy in the misery of others, and shall be in good condition when they are gone; for, in opposition to what shall come on Egypt and Edom, it is added, But Judah shall dwell for ever, &c. See Isa. 27.7. Exod. 14.30, 31. 6. The Lord will perpetuate a Church of Israel after their con∣version and restitution, till the end of time; for, it is his ex∣presse promise, Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.