Habakkuk, Chapter 1, verses 12-17
12 He complaineth that vengeance should be executed by them who are far worseHabakkuk, Chapter 2, verses 1-4
1 Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is showed that he must wait by faith17
17:15 He is lunatic - This word might with great propriety he used, though the case was mostly preternatural; as the evil spirit would undoubtedly take advantage of the influence which the changes of the moon have on the brain and nerves.
17:17 O unbelieving and perverse generation - Our Lord speaks principally this to his disciples. How long shall I be with you? - Before you steadfastly believe?
17:20 Because of your unbelief - Because in this particular they had not faith. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed - That is, the least measure of it. But it is certain, the faith which is here spoken of does not always imply saving faith. Many have had it who thereby cast out devils, and yet will at last have their portion with them. It is only a supernatural persuasion given a man, that God will work thus by him at that hour. Now, though I have all this faith so as to remove mountains, yet if I have not the faith which worketh by love, I am nothing. To remove mountains was a proverbial phrase among the Jews, andis still retained in their writings, to express a thing which is very difficult, and to appearance impossible. Mat 21:21; Luk 17:6.
1 The prophet complains of the violence practised by the Jews, Hab 1:1-4.
God foretells the punishment of it, Hab 1:5-11.
The prophet complains of the mischief done by the Chaldeans, Hab 1:12-17.
1:12 Shall not die - Be utterly destroyed. Ordained - Set up, and designed. Them - The Chaldean kingdom. For judgment - To execute this judgment, which is tempered with mercy. For correction - To chastise, not to destroy.
1:14 And makest - Not infusing cruel appetites, but permitting them to act according to such appetite which was already in them.As the fishes - Of which the greater greedily devour the smaller.Creeping things - Which in the waters are food for the lesser fry; so the world, like the sea, is wholly oppression.No ruler - None to defend the weak, or restrain the mighty.
1:15 They - The Chaldeans draw out all alike, good or bad.In their net - Destroying many together. And gather - As if they could never have enough, they drive men into their nets.
1:16 They sacrifice - Ascribe the praise of their victories.Their net - To their own contrivances, diligence, and power.
1:17 Empty their net - As fisher - men empty the full net to fill it again.
2 God answers, that the Chaldeans themselves shall at length be a prey, Hab 2:1-8.
A woe denounced against the covetous, the oppressive, the drunkards, and idolaters, Hab 2:9-12.
2:1 Upon my watch - I will stand as a watchman on my watch - tower.He - The Lord. Reproved - Called to give an account of the mysteriousness of providence; either to satisfy doubters, or to silence quarrellers.
2:2 Upon tables - What was of publick concern, and therefore to be published, was anciently written or engraven upon tables, smooth stones, or wood, and then hung up in a publick place to be read.May run - That none may need to stop, but every one may plainly and clearly discern what is written.
2:3 At the end - When the period appointed of God shall come.Shall speak - Be accomplished, and not disappoint your expectation.
2:4 Which is lifted up - That proudly contests with the justice and wisdom of the Divine Providence, and provides for his own safety by his own wit. The just - The humble and upright one, who adores the depth of divine providence, and is persuaded of the truth of divine promises.Shall live - Supports himself, by a firm expectation of the deliverance of Zion.