A Third Confidence Disappointed: Friends & Allies

The Allies of Edom are characterized as 'men of thy covenant,' 'men of peace,' and 'those who eat thy bread.' The allies failed in each of those characteristics. The confederates lured them from their strongholds to the border, the men of peace deceived them and betrayed them. The bread-eaters placed a wounding trap under them. Edom was blinded by placing confidence in its allies. Four doctrines arise from this consideration, but only time to deal with one in this particular sermon.

'God often punishes one sin by another.'

What is a rod to the elect is a scourge to the reprobate. It is a dangerous state to refuse the medicine which can cure us of our sickness, and it is more dangerous still to refuse the Word when it can cure our souls. The saying 'it is a hard saying' is really an admission that the accuser is being hardened.

We must let no annoyance or difficulty seem as heavy to us as the weight of the least sin. When our sins have broken our hearts and made us contrite and humble; when their sting has wearied us of them, then we may see them fastened to the cross. The best evidence of sin forgiven is sin forsaken.