Westminster Annotations, Habakkuk 1
ANNOTATIONS ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET HABAKKƲK.
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. THe burden] A prophecie with expresse commission of God, denouncing threatnings and curses. Isa. 13. 1. Nahum 1. 1.
did see] That is, received from God in a prophetick vision.
V. 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.
V. 3. raise up strife] Chiefly against those Prophets which reproved them. See Jer. 15. 10. Hos. 4. 4.
V. 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. Jer. 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.
V. 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.
V. 6. breadth] Heb. breadths.
V. 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] Zeph. 3. 3. Jer. 5. 6.
they shall flio as the eagle] Jer. 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.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 12. Art thou not from everlasting] The Prophets words to God in the name of the people.
mine holy one] The onelyonly sacred Deity which I adore; him whom I onelyonly 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 Psal. 102. 28. and 118. 17. Lam. 5. 19, 20. Matth. 22. 32.
thou hast ordained them for judgement] It is true that thou hast established that great Empire to punish thy Church, 2 King. 19. 25. Isa. 10. 5, 6, 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. Deut. 32. 4.
established] Heb. founded.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 15. dragge] Or, flue-net.
V. 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.
V. 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?
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. I Will stand upon my watch] Isa. 21. 8. Heb. I did stand. A phrase taken from watchers which were in strong and guarded places, as Isa. 21. 8. The meaning is, by prayers, meditations, and lifting up of my minde, I did desire of God some prophetick revelation, whereby I might be taught how to answer to that which profane and weake persons might oppose against Gods providence, which doth so farre favour those wicked Chaldeans.
tower] Heb. fenced place.
he will say unto me] Or, in me. Or would speake unto me: namely, by inward revelation. See Hos. 1. 2.
when I am reproved] Or, when I am argued with. Heb. upon my reproof, or arguing.
plain upon tables] See Isa. 8. 1. & 30. 8.
V. 3. the vision] I have not yet taken away the gift of prophecie from my people: by which I will cause you to know, not only such accidents as do trouble them: but also what shall happen untill Christs coming, which is called the end of the time of the law. See Dan. 10. 14. Or the matter of this vision is not to take effect presently, but in Gods due time.
surely come] Heb. 10. 37.
V. 4. Behold] The remedies against these calamities of the Church, is not to seek out places to secure themselves from Gods hand: as the Jews did, when they went into Egypt and other places, and there perished: nor much lesse to separate themselves from the communion of the Church by apostasie: these are only damnable errors of carnall sense, which God reproveth. But good souls having no other help, shall by a lively faith in God b… 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 which may hurt their salvation.
is lifted up] The Apostle, Heb. 10. 38. applyeth this to such as withdraw themselves from Christian profession.
the just shall live by his faith] Joh. 3. 36. Rom. 1. 17. Gal. 3. 11.
V. 5. Yea also] Or, how much more.
by wine] If I blame my people, that thinke to save themselves by their cunning: how much more shall I condemn the Babylonians, who drowned in pleasures, and made drunk with prosperitie, do boldly contemn my threatnings? He seemeth to have relation to Belshazzars drinking feasts, Dan. 5. or to the taking of Babylon in a night of great dissolutenesse. Isa. 21. 5. Jer. 51. 39.
who enlargeth his desire as hell] Prov. 27. 20. & 30. 16. Hath been inflamed with an unsatiable desire and ambition.
but gathereth unto him all nations] Bringeth them into his subjection, and maketh a prey of their goods, Isa. 10. 13.
V. 6. Wo to him] Or, Ho, he.
how long] Signifying that all the world shall wish the destruction of tyrants, and that by their oppression and covetousnesse, they heap but upon themselves more heavie burthens.
with thick clay] Namely, with earthly riches, the desire of which is the souls ensnaring, or a burthen which overcometh and smothereth him alive. See 1 Tim. 6. 9, 10.
V. 7. Shall they not rise up suddenly] That is, the Medes and Persians, that should destroy the Babylonians? Isa. 21. 2. Jer. 50. and 51.
bite thee] A phrase taken from hunting dogs.
V. 8. Because thou hast spoiled many nations] Isa. 33. 1.
bloud] Heb. blouds.
the violence of the land] Or, oppressing the land.
of the citie] That is, Jerusalem especially.
V. 9. coveteth an evil covetousnesse] Jer. 22. 13. Or, gaineth an evil gain.
to his house] To encrease and establish his estate, so that he might be out of all danger.
power of evil] Heb. palm of the hand.
V. 10. consulted shame to thy house] Signifying that the covetous man is the ruine of his own house, when as he thinketh to enrich it by crueltie and oppression.
V. 11. shall cry out of the wall] As it were to witnesse that thou hast built thy house with violence and rapine.
and the beam] Or, piece, or, fastening. Heb. The fragment: or fastening, or brick wherewith they ordinarily built their houses in Babylon, with timber among it; Gen. 11. 3. Others, the morter: which comes almost to the same sense.
answer it] Or, witnesse against it.
V. 12. with bloud] Jer. 22. 13. Ezek. 24. 9. Nah. 3. 1. Heb. blouds.
V. 13. is it not of the LORD of hosts] 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?
that the people shall labour in the very fire] Jer. 51. 58.
for very vanitie] Or, in vain.
V. 14. with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD] Or, by knowing the glory of the LORD. See on Isa. 11. 9. By the just and powerfull punishment of his enemies.
V. 15. that puttest thy bottle to him] This may be understood in the proper sense, of the dissolutenesse of the Babylonian court, in the which they did silthy and dishonest acts. Or figuratively of the dishonest practises, by which the Babylonians drew in other princes, and nations, for to spoyle them, and bring them into ignominious slavery.
V. 16. with shame for glory] Or, more with shame then with glory.
drink thou also] Jer. 25. 26. Of the cup of Gods wrath, Jer. 25. 26, 27.
uncovered] Be a shamefull spectacle.
spuing] A terme taken from drunkards feasts, which do spoyle the most adorned and beautifull places. The meaning is, Gods judgements shall carry thee into most unworthy and infamous acts.
V. 17. violence] As he that felleth trees in a wood, is often-times crushed by them: so thy oppression and violence will cause thy ruine. See Isa. 14. 8. Ezek. 31. 16.
spoil of beasts] As oft-times wolves and other ravening beasts are surprized in the greatest heat of their slaughter, which blindeth them. so the like shall happen to thee.
violence of the land] See vers. 8.
V. 18. What profiteth the graven image] A scoffe at the Chaldeans vain confidence in their idols.
teacher of lies] Idols are so called, Jer. 10. 8. 14. Zach. 10. 2. becaus… that according to the opinion of idolaters, they are remembrances, and visible documents of an invisible deitie: and in the mean time, they cause mans minde to go astray from the true and saving knowledge of God revealed in his word: imprinting of false opinions of God in him, bringing him down to sensible things, and not raising him up to spirituall ones.
the maker of his work] Heb. the fashioner of his fashion.
V. 19. Arise] To help me.
it shall teach] That is, counsell and direct thee.
V. 20. the LORD is in his holy temple] Psal. 11. 4. Liveth and reigneth in heaven, in glory, and is present in grace and spirit in his Temple: and it is fitting that all the world should submit to him, in all humilitie.
let all the earth keep silence before him] Heb. be silent all the earth before him. Zeph. 1. 7. Zach. 2. 13.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. UPon Sigionoth] Or, according to variable songs, or tunes, called in Hebrew, Shigionoth. A tearme of musick, the meaning not known. See Psal. 7. 1. Heb. wandrings. The Prophet instructeth his people to pray unto God, not only for their great sinnes, but also for such as they had committed of ignorance.
V. 2. thy speech] Heb. thy report, or thy hearing. Namely, the precedent prophecie concerning the ruine of Babylon: wherefore in all humble reverence I submit my selfe to thy will: onelyonly I pray thee that thou wouldest continue thy work of grace in thy Church, during the seventy years of captivitie; which is the midst of years, between two equall compasses of foure hundred and ninetie: So many being before the seventy, from Samuel and Saul the first King, and so many after the seventy till Christs death and resurrection; who is that Prophet, Priest and King eternall of his Church.
revive] Or, preserve alive.
V. 3. God] Deut. 33. 2. Judg. 5. 4. Psal. 68. 8. He describes the glorious bringing in of Gods people into the land of Canaan under Joshua: inferring thereby, that as God had miraculously brought his people into that countrey, so he might bring them in againe, notwithstanding all lets and hinderances.
from Teman] Or, the south. Of Idumea, within whose territories lay a great part of that wildernesse, through which the people passed, Judg. 5. 4.
Paran] A place in the wildernesse, Num. 10. 12.
Selah] See Psal. 3. 3.
full of his praise] Of his noble acts, worthy to be praised in all ages, and at all times. Others, of his brightnesse.
V. 4. he had horns coming out of his hand] Or, bright beams out of his side. Whereby is meant a power, that was joyned with his brightnesse, which was hid to the rest of the world, but was revealed in mount Sinai to his people, Psal. 31. 16.
V. 5. Before him went] These scourges went before him and behind him, as his officers and executioners of his vengeance.
burning coals] Or, burning diseases.
V. 6. He stood and measured] As it were in the frontier to mete out the countrey for his people.
the nations] Namely, the Canaanites. See Exod. 15. 15. Josh. 2. 9. and 5. 1.
mountains were scattered] All worldly heights, which seemed immutable, melted before him.
perpetuall hils] Which have never changed either place or forme, since their creation: See upon Gen. 49. 26. Deut. 33. 15.
his wayes are everlasting] To him onelyonly belongeth to move everlastingly, in the actuall exercise of his power, to do whatsoever he pleaseth.
V. 7. I saw the tents] That is, all the neighbouring nations, as the Arabians dwelling in tents, were terrified at the peoples passage through the wildernesse. See Exod. 15. 15. Num. 22. 3, 4. Others think he hath relation to the discomfiture of Cushan-Rishathaim by Othniel, Judg. 3. 10. and of the Midianites by Gideon, Judg. 7. 21, 22.
Cushan] Or, Ethiopi ….
in affliction] Or, under affliction, or▪ vanitie.
V. 8. the rivers] Meaning, that God was not angry with the waters of the Red Sea nor Jordan; but that by this means he would destroy his enemies, and deliver his Church, Psal. 114. 5.
thou didst ride] And so didst use all the elements as instruments for the destruction of thine enemies. Others, every time that thou hast shewed thy selfe, as it were, in battle array, it hath alwaies been for the deliverance of thy people.
thy chariots of salvation] Or, thy chariots were salvation.
V. 9. Thy bow was made quite naked] A figurative terme: taken from that that in those countreys the archers did use to carry their bows in certaine cases; and it signified that Gods power was manifested.
oathes of the tribes] For he had not onelyonly made a covenant with Abraham, but renewed it with his posteritie. Others by oathes understand, terrible curses and threatnings against the enemies.
Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers] Or, thou didst cleave the rivers of the earth. A Poeticall hyperbole. That is, thou didst cleave the earth, and causedst waters, and streames to come forth every where.
V. 10. The mountains saw thee] Psal. 114. 4.
the overflowing of the water] Thou powredst downe from heaven a strong and fierce raine, Psa. 77. 17.
uttered his voyce] A Poeticall representation: as if the Sea had required mercy and pardon of God, feeling it selfe strucken by his hand.
V. 11. The sunne] This may be referred to that which was done by Joshua, Josh. 10. 12, 13. Or it is a continuation of the fore-going representation.
stood still] Josh. 10. 12.
at the light, &c.] Or, thine arrowes walked in the light, &c.
arrowes they went] Josh. 10. 11. Namely, of thy lightnings.
V. 13. with thine anointed] Moses, and Aaron; or Joshua, persons consecrated by God to be instruments of his peoples deliverances and victories. See Psal. 77. 20. Isa. 63. 11. Signifying, that there is no salvation but by Christ, typified by those anointed ones.
thou woundedst the head] Thou destroyedst Pharaoh, King of that wicked Countrey, Egypt, with all his armie, even as a house which was overthrown to the very ground. Or from the top to the bottome thou hast destroyed the enemies.
discovering] Heb. making naked.
V. 14. with his slaves] Causing his enterprise, and the preparation which he made to follow thy people, to be the occasion of his own ruine.
villages] Namely, of all the land of Egypt, inhabited, as the most part of Africk is, in castles, and villages. See Isa. 18. 2.
came out as a whirlwind] Heb. were tempestuous.
to devoure the poore secretly] Being farre from any relief, or, assistance: A terme taken from highway robbers, Psal. 10. 8.
V. 15. Thou didst walk through the sea] Or, Thou didst tread upon the sea.
with thine horses] Whereby are meant the winds, or the clowds, as Psal. 104. 3. Or, the host of Angels, who are Gods horsemen, Psal. 68. 17.
heap] Or, mud.
V. 16. I heard] The denunciation of thy horrible judgements upon thy people, so different from those thy ancient deliverances, hath quite dismayed me.
rottennesse entred into my bones] My spirit is gnawen and consumed therewith.
rest in the day of trouble] The faithfull can never have true rest, except they feele before the weight of Gods judgements: they feare before trouble, that they may be quiet when it comes.
invade them] Or, cut them in pieces.
V. 17. Although the fig-tree] That is, although the countrey shall be brought into extreme desolation.
fail] Heb. lie.
V. 18. I will joy in the God of my salvation] He declareth wherein standeth the comfort and joy of the faithfull, though they see never so great afflictions prepared, namely, in Gods most certaine promises of deliverance, Chap. 2. 4.
V. 19. he will make my feet] He will at last do his people that favour, as to let them scape, and save themselves in the Church under Gods protection: as the hinde, hunted, and followed by the huntsmen, retireth into her covert.
hinds feet] 2 Sam. 22. 34. Psal. 18. 33.
To the chief finger] See Psal. 4. 1. The chief finger upon the instruments of musick shall have occasion to praise God for this great deliverance of his Church.
stringed instruments] Heb. neginoth.