Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk 2:1

I Will stand] the Italian, I did stand] phrases taken from watches, which were in strong and guarded places; as Isaiah 21:8. The meaning is; by prayers, meditations, and lifting up of my minde; I did desire of God some Propheticke Revelation: whereby I might be taught how to answer to that which prophane and weake persons might oppose against Gods providence, which doth so far favour these wicked Caldeans Will say] or will speake unto me: namely; by internall Revelation. See Hosea 1:2.

Habakkuk 2:2

Make it plaine] See Isa. 8. 1. and 30. 8.

Habakkuk 2:3

Is yet] I have not yet taken away the gift of prophye from my people: by which, I will cause them to know, not only such accidents as doe trouble them; but also what shall happen untill Christs comming; which is called, the time of the end of the Law. See Daniel 10:14.

Habakkuk 2:4

His soule which] the remedy against these calamities of the Church, is not to seeke out places to secure themselves from Gods hands: As the Jewes did, when they went into Egypt, and other places, and there perished: Now much lesse, to separate themselves from the communion of the Church, by Apostasie: these are only damnable errours of the carnall sense; which God reproveth: But good soules, having no other help, shall by a lively faith in God, be maintained in the true spirituall life; which is the conjunction with God, and the feeling of his grace: and shall be defended from any thing as may hurt their salvation I lifted up] the Italian, withdraweth] the Hebrew word is so expounded by Saint Paul, Hebrews 10:38. and indeed signifieth; save himselfe, and hide himselfe in a strong place.

Habakkuk 2:5

By wine] If I blame my people, that thinke to save themselves by their cunning; how much more shall I condemne the Babylonians, who drowned in pleasures, and made drunke with prosperity, doe boldly contemne my threatenings? He seemes to have a relation to Belshazzars drinking feasts, Daniel 5:1-31. or to the taking of Babylon in a night of great dissolutenesse, Isaiah 21:5. Jeremiah 51:39 Who enlareth] hath been inamed with an insatiable desire, and ambition, But gathereth] bringeth them into his subjection, and maketh a prey of their goods, Isa, 10. 13.

Habakkuk 2:6

With thicke] namely; with earthly riches; the desire of which, is the exchange of the soules losse: or a burthen which overcommeth him, and smothereth him alive.

Habakkuk 2:7

That shall] namely; the Persians and Medes, Isa. 21 2. Jeremiah 50:1-46; Jeremiah 51:1-64 Bie thee] A phrase aken from hunting dogs.

Habakkuk 2:8

Of; the City] that is to say, Jerusalem especially.

Habakkuk 2:9

To his house] to increase, and establish his estate, so that he might be out of all danger.

Habakkuk 2:11

Shall cry] as it were to witnesse; that thou hast built thy house with violence, and rapine The beame] the Italian, the brick] wherewith they ordinarily built their houses in Babylon, with timber amongst it, Genesis 11:3. Others; the morter, which comes almost to the same sense.

Habakkuk 2:13

It is not] who can make any question, but that the ruine of Babylon, to the foundation, and increase of which, so many Nations, for so many ages, had contributed their labour; is a singular worke of Gods vengeance?

Habakkuk 2:14

The glory] by the just and powerfull punishment of his enemies.

Habakkuk 2:15

That putteth] this may be understood in the proper sense, of the dissolutenesses of the Babylonian Court; amidst the which they did filthy and dishonest acts. Or figuratively, of the dishonest practises, by which the Babylonians drew in other Princes, and Nations, for to spoile them, and bring them into ignominious slavery.

Habakkuk 2:16

Drinke thou] of the cup of Gods wrath, Jeremiah 25:26-27 Be uncovered] be a shamefull spectacle Spewing] A terme taken from drunkards feasts; which doe spoile the most adorned, and beautifull places. The meaning is, Gods judgements shall carry thee into unworthy and infamous acts.

Habakkuk 2:17

The violence] as he that felleth Trees in a Wood, is oftentimes crushed by them: so thine oppressions and violences will cause thy ruine. See Isaiah 14:8. Ezekiel 31:16 The spoile] as oftentimes Wolfes, and other ravening beasts, are surprised in the greatest heate of their slaughter; which blindeth them so the like shall happen to thee.

Habakkuk 2:18

What profiteth] A scoffe, at the Caldeans vaine confidence in their Idols A teacher] Idols are so called, Jeremiah 10:8; Jeremiah 10:14. ?Zechariah 10:2. because, that according to the opinion of Idolaters, they are remembrances, and visible documents of an invisible Deity: And in the meane time, they cause mans minde to goe astray, from the true and saving knowledge of God, revealed in his Word; imprinting false opinions of God in him; bringing him downe to sensible things, in stead of raising him up to spirituall ones.

Habakkuk 2:19

Awak] to help me Teach] that is to say; counsell and direct thee.

Habakkuk 2:20

Is in his] liveth and raigneth in Heaven in glory, and is present in grace in Spirit & in his Temple: and it is itting that all the world should submit to him, in all humility.