CONTENTS OF VOL. VI. I. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible-Hosea to Obadiah IV. Stephen's sight of the Glory (Acts vii) V. Praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 20) VI. Notes on the Epistle to the Ephesians XV. Notes on the Songs of Praise in the Old Testament XVI. Prophecy-No Salvation for those not interested in it THE PRESENT TESTIMONY, ETC., ETC. No I. THE MINOR PROPHETS. INTRODUCTION. BEFORE entering on the study of the minor prophets, I will avail myself of the opportunity they afford to make a few remarks on the prophetic writings in general, pointing out the subjects of which they treat. We may divide these books into four principal classes, according to the subjects on which they speak-subjects often connected with their dates. 1st. Those which speak of the great crisis of the capture of Jerusalem, and its consequences. These are Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel-all the chief prophets excepting Isaiah. I place the book of Daniel in this class because, in fact, that event changed the government of the world, setting aside (in judgment) the elect people; and, while speaking of the Gentiles, he does so in connection with the substitution of the Gentile monarchy for that of God in Israel, and in view of that people's destiny. 2nd. Those which speak of the judgment of the Gentiles as such. These are Jonah, Nahum, Obadiah. 3rd. Those which speak of the entire fall of Israel, and of the destiny that already threatened Judah; such as Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah. They pronounce a penal judgment on the people, while unfolding with more or less extent the dealings of God in grace at the end. With the exception of Amos, who prophesied in the VOL. VI. PT.I. 1 reign of Uzziah, earlier than the other three, they belong to the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah; this last king forming an epoch in these prophecies, the Assyrian, having overthrown the kingdom of Israel during the reign of Hezekiah and threatened Jerusalem. Lastly, we have Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who prophesied after the captivity; the two first for the encouragement of the people; the last, to bear witness to the failure of the Jews who had returned from captivity, and to announce the testimony and the judgment of the last days, which should separate the remnant from the wicked around them. I have not spoken of Joel and Habakkuk, because these two prophets have each a peculiar character, not applying to the judgment of the Gentiles, like Nahum and Obadiah, and having no date to indicate a moral import founded on the condition of Israel. They both point out in an especial manner the judgments of the last days. Joel speaks of a particular invasion of the land, and of the judgment of the nations, which is fulfilled at the same period, in connexion with the blessing of Israel. The Spirit in Habakkuk, whilst availing himself of the occasion of a particular judgment, brings out the spiritual affections and the exercises of heart, produced by the sight of the evil, and of the consequent judgment, and shows the condition of a soul taught of God in view of these things. We find thus in the prophets (taking a moral view of their subjects): 1st. The judgment of the people in general, the house of David being spared for a time, God raising up Hezekiah; and on this occasion the true Son of David is announced. This is contained in Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and Micah. 2nd. The judgment of Jerusalem, and the substitution of the Gentile monarchy, the people of God being entirely set aside. Jeremiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel, the last discussing all the great principles of relationship with God, and the destiny of all Israel as a land and nation. 3rd. The judgment of the world. Jonah, Nahum, and Obadiah. 4th. The desolation of the last days, and the judgment of the nations; followed by the temporal blessing of Israel, |