Habakkuk 1:3

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Habakkuk 1:1-11

CHAPTER 1[The Prophet commences by setting forth the Cause of the Chaldæan Invasion, which forms the Burden of his Prophecy. This Cause was the great Wickedness of the Jewish Nation at the Time he flourished (Habakkuk 1:2-4). Jehovah is introduced as summoning Attention to that Invasion (Habakkuk 1:5). The Prophet describes the Appearance, Character, and Operations of the Invaders (Habakkuk 1:6-11).—C.E.]1 The burden, which Habakkuk the prophet saw.2 How long, Jehovah, do I cry?And thou hearest... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Habakkuk 1:1-17

the Apparent Prosperity of the Wicked Habakkuk 1:1-17 Habakkuk probably lived toward the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, when the Chaldeans were preparing to invade the land. Jerusalem was filled with wickedness. Crimes of violence and lawlessness had become so numerous that the prophet was appalled at the sight. He could only point to the fate of other nations, which must also befall Judah unless the people repented. Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5 in Acts 13:41 . The Chaldeans are compared... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:1-17

In this first division of the Book we have the prophet's statement of the problems which vexed his soul. The first was the apparent indifference of Jehovah both to his prayer and to the condition of prevailing evil. To this Jehovah replied that He was at work, but that the prophet would not believe if he were told. He then proceeded to declare explicitly that His method was that of raising the Chaldeans as a scourge against His people. This answer of Jehovah, while strengthening the faith of... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:2-4

Habakkuk’s Cry From His Heart - Why Does God Not See and Act? (Habakkuk 1:2-4 ). Habakkuk 1:2-4 ‘O YHWH, how long shall I cry, And you will not hear? I cry out to you of violence, And you will not save. Why do you show me iniquity, And look on perverseness? For spoiling and violence are before me, And there is strife, and contention rises up. Therefore the law is slacked, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked crowd round the righteous. Therefore justice goes forth perverted.’ The... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:2-4

Habakkuk 1:2-Numbers : . Complaint against Yahweh for His Tolerance of Wrong-doing.— In bitter remonstrance with Yahweh, the prophet asks how long he must cry “ Violence!” and look on wretchedness and trouble, robbery, strife and contention, the failure of justice and the general paralysis of law, while Yahweh remains silent, indifferent, or powerless. Habakkuk 1:2 . violence: probably the burden of the cry. Habakkuk 1:3 . iniquity . . . perverseness: rather “ wretchedness” or “ misery” . .·... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Habakkuk 1:3

Why dost thou show me? it is a most unpleasing sight, and that which troubles me and every good man, to see unjust and injurious men without control, and unpunished, to act their iniquity; and yet, O God, thou not only permittest it to be done, but to be done in sight, and to the grief of thy servants: thus God showeth it, and it is not without just cause, though the cause be hidden. Iniquity; men of iniquity and vanity, unrighteous toward men, and vain in their thoughts and practices of... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Habakkuk 1:1-4

CRITICAL NOTES.] Burden] (cf. Nahum 1:1). Habakkuk 1:2. How] A complaint; wickedness continued long, and God did not interfere. Habakkuk 1:3. Why] dost thou behold violence without checking it? some; the prophet is permitted to behold iniquity, and this is the reason for his cry. Since God the Holy One will not look upon it in Israel (Numbers 23:21), why should his servant? Raise] A litigious spirit prevailed; none were quietly permitted to enjoy their rights. All was seized by force or... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 1:1-17

Shall we turn at this time to the book of Habakkuk.Very little is known concerning the personal background of Habakkuk. Very little, nothing is known. We don't know really anything about his background. There are indications from the book itself that he was of a priestly family, perhaps one of the priests in Israel. He addresses the last chapter, which is a psalm, he addresses it to, "the chief singer on my stringed instrument." And that was usually the place of the priests who were, many of... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 1:1-17

Habakkuk 1:1 . The burden, the prophecy, which Habakkuk the prophet saw. Here he opens his commission, as divinely inspired with vision, and invested with a charge which he must deliver. God laid the burden of Israel, and of all the surrounding nations on his prophets, as he now charges ministers with the cure of souls. Habakkuk 1:2 . Oh Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear. Manasseh continued to shed innocent blood, from one end of Jerusalem to the other. 2 Kings 21:16.... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Habakkuk 1:1-4

Habakkuk 1:1-4The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.ResponsibilitiesWe can see how appropriate is the word “burden” used by the prophets to describe their gift and duty. The obligation laid on them often involved strain and danger. And yet it was a glorious privilege to be commissioned by God, to act for Him, to be His mouthpiece to the people. Habakkuk’s burden was the sight of the general evil and corruption prevalent in the Holy Land, among the chosen people. What burden can be... read more

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