Introduction
HABACUC was a native of Bezocher, and prophesied in JUDA, some time before the invasion of the CHALDEANS, which he foretold. He lived to see this prophecy fulfilled, and for many years after, according to the general opinion, which supposes him to be the same that was brought by the ANGEL to DANIEL in BABYLON, Dan. 14.
Chapter 1
[1] Burden: Such prophecies more especially are called burdens, as threaten grievous evils and punishments.
[11] Then shall his spirit: Viz., the spirit of the king of Babylon. It alludes to the judgment of God upon Nabuchodonosor, recorded Dan. 4., and to the speedy fall of the Chaldean empire.
Chapter 2
[1] Will stand: Waiting to see what the Lord will answer to my complaint, viz., that the Chaldeans, who are worse than the Jews, and who attribute all their success to their own strength, or to their idols, should nevertheless prevail over the people of the Lord. The Lord's answer is, that the prophet must wait with patience and faith: that all should be set right in due time; and the enemies of God and his people punished according to their deserts.
[5] As wine deceiveth: Viz., by affording only a short passing pleasure; followed by the evils and disgrace that are the usual consequences of drunkenness; so shall it be with the proud enemies of the people of God; whose success affordeth them only a momentary pleasure, followed by innumerable and everlasting evils. [6] Thick clay: Ill-gotten goods, that, like mire, both burden and defile the soul.
[13] Are not these things: That is, shall not these punishments that are here recorded, come from the Lord upon him that is guilty of such crimes.-- Ibid.
[13] The people shall labour: Viz., the enemies of God's people. [17] The iniquity of Libanus: That is, the iniquity committed by the Chaldeans against the temple of God, signified here by the name of Libanus.
Chapter 3 [1] For ignorances: That is, for the sins of his people. In the Hebrew, it is Sigionoth: which some take to signify a musical instrument, or tune; with which this sublime prayer and canticle was to be sung. [6] He beheld: One look of his eye is enough to melt all the nations, and to reduce them to nothing. For all heaven and earth disappear when they come before his light. Apoc. 20. 11. Ibid. [13] The head of the house of the wicked: Such was Pharao heretofore: such shall Antichrist be hereafter. [16] I have heard: Viz., the evils that are now coming upon the Israelites for their sins; and that shall come hereafter upon all impenitent sinners; and the foresight that I have of these miseries makes me willing to die, that I may be at rest, before this general tribulation comes, in which all good things shall be withdrawn from the wicked.-- Ibid. |