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 6. Thus saith the Lord, For three transgres∣sions of Gaza, and for foure, I will not turne away the punishment thereof: because they carried away cap∣tive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to E∣dom.

7. But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devoure the palaces thereof.

8. And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ash∣dod, and him that holdeth the Scepter from Ashke∣lon, and I will turne my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistins shall perish, saith the Lord God.

The second Nation spoken of are the Philistins. Gaza is onely named in the challenge and general sentence, it may be, because it was chiefe of them at that time, or chiefe in this sin. In the particular sentence three other of their Cities are mentioned; onely Gath, the fifth City is omit∣ted here as in other passages of the Prophets, either be∣cause it was in the possession of the Jewes, or because it was become more obscure and ruinous, and so is compre∣hended under the rest, or for some other cause not record∣ed. The summe of this purpose, is, God threatens that he will, not spare them because of their manifold provocati∣ons, and particularly, because of their cruelty towards the Jewes, in selling all the captives of them they could

catch, unto Edom, who hated them most, that so they might never returne to their homes, verse 6. And because of this, he gives out a particular sentence, that he will consume and destroy their chiefe Cities, with the in∣habitants and Princes or Rulers thereof, and will also de∣stroy the rest of that Nation who inhabit the Country and Villages, verse 7, 8. As for this sinne of the Philistins, it seemes to relate to the time when Edom revolted from Ju∣dah, and returned to exercise and let out their wonted spight against their brethren, 2 Chron. 21.8, 9, 10. At which time also the Philistins with others invaded Judah, 2 Chron. 21.16, 17. and whomsoever they took captive, (or any of the Jewes or Israelites who fled for shelter among them about these times, as they did to other places, Isa. 16.4. they delivered them to Edom. The stroke here threatned was inflicted on them; partly by Ʋzziah, 2 Chron. 26.6. partly by Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18.8. according to the pro∣phesie Isa. 14.29. by the Assyrians, Isa. 20.1. and finally by the Babylonians (beside what was done by the Egyp∣tians) Jer. 25.20. with chap. 47.1, 2, 4. And however severall strokes be threatned to come on severall places here, yet it is not needfull so to distinguish them, as if no more came on any place then is here threatned against them in particular; but it may be conceived that all these strokes came on every one of them. Doct. 1. It is the common disease of the World, that in all places of it sin will be found grosse and growing, and ripe for vengeance; for here are three trangressions and foure, as well as in Damas∣cus, and so also in other places, which are afterward threat∣ned. 2. God is uniforme in his proceeding, and still the same for justice and power to take a course with growing sinne, in one place as well as in another, were they never so many; for Gaza and other Nations that are spoken of afterward, get the same measure with Damascus: Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions and for foure I will not turne away the punishment thereof. 3. Such as are come to an height of impiety and wickednesse, are readily given up to employ their power against Gods people, that so their measure may run over, and the stroke may be hast∣ened out; for so Gaza, which hath three transgressions and foure, is given up to wrong Judah, upon which, specially, the sentence is given out. 4. False brethren are greatest

enemies, and doe give harder measure then any other ene∣my to the people of God when they come into their hands; for Edom was so cruel an enemy, that it is greater cruelty in the Philistins to deliver the Jewes to them, then if they had kept them in bondage themselves after they had captivated them. 5. It is great cruelty, and that which God will not look over, when men doe adde affliction to his afflicted People, and are accessary in any measure to their ill usage from others, and do what they can to make their case desperate; for it is Gods controversie with the Philistins, because they carried away captive the whole captivi∣ty (or so many as they could catch) to deliver them up to Edom. When they had afflicted them by taking them captive, they do adde to it; and albeit Edom use them most cruelly, yet they are accessory to it, by delivering them up. 6. The enemies of the people of God will gain nothing by their oppression, when God begins to reckon with them, but will assuredly draw vengeance upon themselves; for because of this, I will send a fire &c. saith the Lord. 7. Strong walls and flourishing Cities and pleasant Palaces, multitude of inhabitants, and the power and authority of Rulers, will not secure sinners against vengeance, but one∣ly draw forth a more ample proofe of Gods power and justice; for I will sent a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the Palaces thereof. And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the Scepter (or their Lord, 1 Sam. 6.18.) from Ashkelon. 8. The Lords former spare∣ing, and permitting of a people to flourish, will not secure them when sin is come to an hight; for I will turn my hand against Ekron, or alter my former indulgence towards it, and now smite it. 9. Whatever be the Lords compassion and relenting towards his own people, when he is smit∣ing them; yet he will pursue a controversie against impe∣nitent and cruel enemies to his Church, so long as there is any remnant of them; for, and the remnant of the Phili∣stines shall perish, 10. Gods word, who is absolute and alsufficent, is enough to assure men that greatest and most incredible things will come to passe; therefore is it sub∣joined, by way of confirmation to all this, saith the Lord God.