Exposition of Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk and Zephaniah, Exposition of prophecy 5 · Argument
The ARGUMENT.
IT cannot be certainly determined at what time this Prophet lived and exerciſed his function: whether under Manaſſeh, in whoſe reign iniquity was come to a great height: or rather, at the ſame time that Jeremiah began to propheſie, yet certain it is, that he lived towards the latter end of Gods patience with the Jews, and before the laſt deſtruction by the Caldeans: a part, if not the whole whereof, it ſeems was to be inflicted in their dayes to whom he treached, as appeareth from chap. 1.5. The prophecie is held forth, partly, by way of doctrinal prediction, chap. 1. and 2. and partly, by way of meditation or prayer, chap. 3. and may be ſummed up in a Dialogue betw…xt the Lord and his ſervant, wherein the Prophet, complaining of the iniquity of the times, and being forewarned of the deſtruction and captivity of the Jewes by the Caldeans, doth again plead with God about the proſpering of ſuch a wicked people as the Caldeans were, chap. 1. and waiting for an anſwer, he is commanded to ſtir up the godly to live by faith, and take heed of Ap…ſtafie in the time of their captivity, expecting the ruine of the Caldeans their oppreſſors, chap. 2. In which anſwer the Prophet acquieſceth, ſubmitting unto the Lords will, and praying and believing that God would preſerve, and at length deliver his work, his Church and Elect, chap. 3. all which exerciſes the Prophet publiſheth and leaveth on record, for terrifying the wicked, and inviting them to repentance, and for the encouragement of the godly under the ſad calamities that were approaching.