The Pulpit Commentary — Habakkuk — Section 25

EXPOSITION. Ver. 2.-Jehovah answers the prophet's CHAPTER ll. expostulation (eh. i. 12, etc.). Write. That Vere. 1-3.-§ 5. The p1'ophet, waiting it may reme.iii' permaneotly on record, and for an a1Ul'IIJef' to his expostulation, is bidden that, when it comes to pass, people may be- w tDTite the oracle in plain chaf'acters, because lieve in the prophet's inspiration (John xiii; 19; comp. Isa. viii 1; xxx. 8; Jer. x.xx. it,; fulfilment is certain. 2; Rev. i. 11). The visio11 (see eh. i. 1; Ver. 1.-Habakku.k speaks with himself, Obad. 1). The word includes the inward and, mindful of his office, waits for the revelation as well as the open vision, Upon communication which he confidently ex- tables; upoi~ the tab/.ea (Deut. xxvii. 8); pects (J er. :x.xxili. 3). I will sts.nd upon my i.e. certaiu tablets placed in public places, watch (Isa. xx:i. 6, 8). As a watchman goes tho.t all might see and read them (see Isaiah, to a high place to see all around and dis- l.oc. cit.); Septuagint, e/r 1rv(lov, "a boxwood cern what is coming, so the prophet places tablet." The summary of what was to be himself apart from men, perhaps in some written is given in ver. 4. This was to be secluded height, in readineBB to· hear the "made plain," written large and legibly; voice of God and seize the meaning of the Septuagint, a'acpwr. That he may run that coming event. Prophets are called "watch- readeth it. The common explanation of men " ( comp. Ezek. iii. 17; xx:xiiL 2. 6 ; these words (unfortunately perpetuated by Micah vii. 4). The tower; i.e. watch-tower, Keb!e's well-known hymn, "There is a book, either literally or metaphorically, as in the who runs may reo.d "), viz. that even the first cw.use. Septuagint, 1r.-rpr1.11, "rock." runner, one who hastens by hurriedly, may What he will sy UI1to me ; quid dicatuf' be able to read it, is not borne out by the mi/ii (V ulgate) ; ,,-[ ll.rill. ,j,,.., l11 lµ.o(, " what Hebrew, which rather means that every he will speak in me" (Septuagint). He one who reads it may run, i.e. read fluently watches for the inward revelation which and easily. So Jerome, "Scribere jubetur God makes to his soul (but see note on planius, ut possit Iector currere, et nullo Zech. ii. 9). When I am reprond; ad impedimento velocitae ejus et legendi cupido af'guentem me (Vulgate); brl .,.1,,, (1'.f'YXOII teneatur." Henderson, comparing Dan. xii. µ.ov (Septuagint); rather, t.o my complaint, 4, " Many shall run to and fro, and know- referring to his complaint concerning the ledge she.II be increased," interprets the impunity of sinners (eh. i 13---17). He clause to signify that whosoever 1·eacls the waits till he hears God's voir.e within him announcement might run and publish it to. what answer he she.II make to hiB own com- all within bis reach. "' To run,'" he. adds, plaint, the expostulation which be had "is equivalent to 'to prophesy' in Jer: offered to God. There iB no question here xxiii. 21," on the principle that those who concerning the reproofs which others levelled were charged with a Divine message wore age.iust him, or concerning any rebuke con- to 1186 all despatch in making it known. In vtyt:d to him by God-an impression given the passage of Daniel, "to run to anti fro," by the Anglican Version. is explained to wcau "to peruse." OH, II, 1-20.] THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK. 27.