Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk 1:1

THe burden] A prophecie with expresse commission of God, denouncing threatnings and curses. Isaiah 13:1. Nahum 1. 1.

did see] That is, received from God in a prophetick vision.

Habakkuk 1:2

how long shall I crie] The Prophets lamentation for the great sinnes of the people, which God seemed to passe over, or tolerate.

of violence] Either generall against good men, or particular against the Prophet.

Habakkuk 1:3

raise up strife] Chiefly against those Prophets which reproved them. See Jeremiah 15:10. Hosea 4:4.

Habakkuk 1:4

judgement doth never go forth] Thy great patience, O Lord, causeth thy law to be as it were disarmed of her terrour, and to be of no strength or authoritie with these wicked men; and also to be no more publikely used.

the wicked] Job 21:7. Jeremiah 12:1.

doth compasse about the righteous] For the wicked do besiege good men, by reason of their multitude of credite and power; justice suffereth violence, and is not exercised with libertie and righteousnesse.

therefore wrong judgement proceedeth] Or, wrested judgement. All the course of publike justice is broken off.

Habakkuk 1:5

Behold, &c.] Acts 13:41.

ye will not beleeve] As in times past you would not beleeve Gods Word, so shall you not now beleeve the strange plagues which are at hand.

Habakkuk 1:6

breadth] Heb. breadths.

Habakkuk 1:7

their judgement &c.] Or, from them shall proceed the judgement of these, and the captivitie of these. They shall receive no law nor assistance from any; their reason is their will, and execution in their power.

fierce] Heb. sharp.

the evening wolves] Zephaniah 3:3. Jeremiah 5:6.

they shall flio as the eagle] Jeremiah 4:13.

their faces, &c.] Or, the supping up of their faces, &c. or, their faces shall look toward thecast. Heb. the opposition of their faces toward the east. They shall overthrow, and dissipate all whatsoever shall come against them; as this tempestuous winde doth.

Habakkuk 1:10

the kings] To wit, at the Kings of the Jewish people as King Zedekiah, 2 Kings. 25. 10.

for they shall heap up dust and take it] Peradventure he meaneth to shew the easinesse of the conquest; as if the Chaldeans should do it as it were in a pastime, as little children do make trenches and forts in the dirt.

Habakkuk 1:11

Then] Namely, when their greatnesse is come to the height.

minde] Heb. winde: that is, his felicitie.

imputing this his power unto his god] So inconstant will that potency be which is set upon the vanity of Idols: whereby the Prophet comforteth the faithfull, that God will also destroy the Babylonians, abusing this victory, and becoming proud and insolent, attributing the praise hereof to their Idols.

Habakkuk 1:12

Art thou not from everlasting] The Prophets words to God in the name of the people.

mine holy one] The onely sacred Deity which I adore; him whom I onely acknowledge to be holy amongst all other gods, which are but impure idols that pollute the soul.

we shall not die] Thy Church cannot perish, seeing it is joyned to thee, who art everlasting, by a Covenant, which importeth communication of grace, life, and of glory. See Psalms 102:28. and Psalms 118:17. Lamentations 5:19-20. Matthew 22:32.

thou hast ordained them for judgement] It is true that thou hast established that great Empire to punish thy Church, 2 Kings 19:25. Isaiah 10:5-7. but not to destroy it, as it endeavoureth to do by an extreme tyrannie, contrary to thy nature and will.

mighty God] Heb. rock. Deuteronomy 32:4.

established] Heb. founded.

Habakkuk 1:13

Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evill] Patiently without punishing it.

iniquitie] Or, grievance.

the wicked] The Chaldeans, who are unjust in oppressing thy people, who never offended them; and are inordinate in the execution of thy judgements, which they do not regard; and are more wicked then those whom thou punishest by them.

Habakkuk 1:14

And makest men as the fishes] Thou hast forsaken nations and States, like fishes and such like beasts, which are his that can first take them.

creeping] Or, moving.

Habakkuk 1:15

dragge] Or, flue-net.

Habakkuk 1:16

they sacrifice] In stead of acknowledging all their greatnesse to come from God, and giving him thanks, and serving him; they attribute it to themselves, and to their industry, understanding, and valour. See Isa. 10. 7, 13.

plenteous] Or, dainty. Heb. fat.

Habakkuk 1:17

Shall they therefore emptie their net] Wilt thou, O Lord, suffer them after so many faults and impieties, to enjoy their oppressions, and endlesly continue in them?