The Pulpit Commentary — Habakkuk — Section 4

CHAPTER L prophet himself. So ·the Vulgate, Voci- ferabor ad te 'llim patien.s. But Habakkuk Ver. 1-ch. ii. 20.-Part I. JuDGIIIENT don btless speaks in the person of the uPON THE EVIL, IN THE FOBIII'. OF A COLLOQUY righteous, grieved at the wickedness he BETWEEN THE PROPHET AND GOD, sees around, and the more perplexed as the Law led him to look for temporal rewarc1i Ver. 1.-§ 1. The inscription of the book. and punishments, if in the case of indi- The burden (see note on Nab. i. 1). The viduals, much more in that of the chosen prophet (eh. iii. 1). This title, which is nation (Lev. xxvi., passim). added in the insoriptions only to the names Ver. 3.-Why dost thou show me-Why of Haggai and Zechariah, and cursorily to dost thoo let me see daily with my own eyes that of Jeremiah (xlvi., xlvii., 1.), implies -iniquity abounding, the very evil which that he exercised the practical office of Balaam says (Numb. xxiii. 21) the Lore.I had prophet, and was well known; and, e.s not found in Israel ? Cause me to behold Pusey thinks, Ha.bakkuk appended it here grieve.nee. 'fhis should be, Do.C thou look on account of the form in whioh his upon perversene.1s? He asks bow God can prophecy is cast, as being addressed almost look on this evil and leave it unpunished. entirely to God or the Che.ldeans, not to his The LXX. and the Vulgate translate the own people. Did sea. In prophetic vision word amal "trouble " or "labour· " Keil (see note on Amos i. 1). "distreBB." In this c~se it weans th~ troubl; Vere. 2-4.-§ 2. The prophet oomplains and distress which a man inflicts on others, to God of the iniquity of his own nation, and as wrong-doing seems to be generally spoken of. Spoiling and violenoe are before me. its consequences. "Spoiling" is robbery that causes desola- Ver. 2.-Shall I ory; Septuagint, ,w,p&.- tion. " Violence" is conduct that wrongs ~oµa,. The Hebrew is taken to imply that one's neighbour. The two words are often the prophet had long been complaining of joined; e.g. Jer. vi. 7; Amos iii. 10. Vul- the moral depravity of Judah, and calling gate, prll!dam et injustitiam. These are for help against it. 'fhere is no reference continually coming before the prophet's here, as Ewe.Id fancies, to acts of violence eyes. There are that raise up strife and committed by the Chaldee.ns, who, in. fact, oontention; better, tliere is strife, and con- are announced as coming to chastise the tention is raised. Tuia refers to the abuse wickedness of the chosen people (ver. 6). of the Law by grasping, qu,trrelsome nobles. And thou wilt not hear! The continuance Septuagint, "Against me judgmeut bath of evil unchecked is an anomaly in the gone, and the judge receiveth bribes." So prophet's eye; and, putting himself in the the Syriac and Arabic. The Vulgate gives, position of the righteous &.lllong the people, Factum est judicium, et contradictio pote'lltior, he asks how long this is to last. Even ory wherejudicium is used in a bad sense. out unto thee of violence; better, I cry out Ver. 4.-Therefore. Because Goe.I has unto thee, Violence. A similar construction not interfered to put an end to this iniquity, is found in Job xix. 7; Jer. xx. 8. "Vio- or because of the want of righteous judges, lence" includes all manner of wrong done to the followiug consequences ensue. The Law one's neighbour. Septuo.gint, B01111oµa1 1rpbs is slacked. The Law, Torah, the revealed "' ci~11,06µ,vos, "I will cry unto thee being code whioh governed the moral, domestic, wronged," as if the wrong was done to the and polilioal life, "is chilled," is benumbed HABAKKUK, B  2 THE DOOK OF HABAKKUK. [ou. 1. 1-17.