Habakkuk 2

Notes

Ver. 1-4. I resolved to wait patiently for God's answer to my own bold complaints, that, instructed by him, I might be able to answer others who quarrel with his judgments. And the Lord commanded me to write his declarations in the plainest manner, that every person might receive proper instruction from them; and since they will not be quickly fulfilled, it behoves us patiently to wait for them, as they will certainly be accomplished in their proper season, without so much as a moment's unnecessary delay. And it is by men's patient waiting that their sincerity will be tried. They who despise the vision, discredit the promise, and proudly quarrel with the providence of God; or who, drawing back from him, depend on their own devices, manifest their hearts to be unsound: but they who are justified by faith in Jesus' righteousness shall persevere in their duty, living by faith on his promises. 5-8. The Chaldean kings and their subjects having abandoned themselves to luxury, proud insolence, covetousness of conquest, oppression, and murder of the neighbouring nations, shall be punished in their turn, and be derided by their slaves and tributaries, as ruined by their extent of power and heaps of ensnaring and defiling wealth. For the barbarous Medes and Persians shall quickly and unexpectedly plunder and destroy these Chaldean spoilers and murderers of the Jews and the nations around. 9-11. Dreadful judgments await those who, by unjust acquisitions, think to aggrandize and establish themselves and families, and to build stately palaces and forts for themselves. Bloody cruelty and oppression will issue in the disgrace and ruin of the guilty and their families; and the very materials of their houses, produced by unjust methods, shall cry to God for vengeance against them. 12-14. Dreadful curses shall overtake them who build or fortify Babylon, or any other city, by that which they have gotten by plunder, injustice, or murder: and all their fatiguing labours shall be of no avail when the Persians shall enter by the gates and destroy the inhabitants: for God shall, in the most alarming manner, glorify himself before all nations in the destruction of Babylon, as well as in our redemption thereby prefigured. 15-17. Dreadful miseries shall befall the Chaldeans and others who are instruments of ruining other nations, and who abandon themselves to beastly drunkenness. Their drunkenness, attended by the fearful judgments of God, shall subject them to disgrace, contempt, and misery; and the violence which they committed against God's temple and people shall issue in their own cruel destruction by the barbarous Medes and Persians. 18-20. Nor shall their idols, by which they misrepresent the true God, in the least help them in the day of their distress; yea, their worship thereof shall bring fearful misery upon them. But Jehovah, the God of Israel, is in his church and in heaven, always ready to help his people: let men therefore everywhere adore his perfections, and ponder, admire, and submit to his providences.

Ver. 6. Thick clay. This seems to be an allusion to the carrying of materials for the formation of brick. There being no stones in the plains where Babylon was built, the prophet most probably represents Nebuchadnezzar as ending his career of conquest in the toils and ambition of architecture (see Da. 4.30). The words have also been translated, 'How long shall he lade himself with many pledges?' C.

Reflections.—In evil times it is best to wait upon God, believe his word, and watch against temptation. And they who preach his truths should make them as plain as possible. God has fixed the best time for his works; and never does he defer them a moment beyond it. But it is only by faith in his promise we can patiently wait his time of performance: and it is only they who are justified in and live by the faith of Christ, who persevere in their duty.—Nothing more effectually seduces men from God than a proud heart. But with the greatest ease God overthrows the mightiest monarchs and empires; and easily he reduces to ruin the most covetous, imperious, drunken, and murderous of mankind. Alas! that men are often so senseless, that when they have much, they would still have more; and that they often ruin themselves and families by doing injury to others! Yea, often they provoke God to give them up to dishonour by their abominable works. And strange is it that in trouble men will seek anywhere for relief but to God. But if they will not be taught by his Word, he will force them to know and acknowledge his judgments; and, notwithstanding all opposition, will show himself victorious over all his enemies.