_A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth._ GOD DEVOUTLY ADDRESSED This chapter presents to us God in three aspects, as devoutly addressed, as poetically portrayed, and as triumphantly enjoyed. I. It was composed for general use. It is not an extemporaneous address; it is a settled form of... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord, revive Thy work._ REVIVAL I. What is meant by the work of the lord, and its revival? 1. It may mean the work of creation. Or the preservation and government of the world. At other times it means the works of Christ; or the work of the ministry. 2. What is meant by a revival of this work... [ Continue Reading ]
_God came from Teman._ GOD POETICALLY PORTRAYED AND PRACTICALLY REMEMBERED The Bible contains many grand songs and odes. But this song of Habakkuk stands in peerless splendour amongst them all. I. Poetically portrayed. God is here presented, not as the Absolute One, whom “no eye hath seen or can... [ Continue Reading ]
_He had horns coming out of His hand._ THE HORN AS A SYMBOL The use of the word “horn” as a metaphor to express strength and honour is of very ancient origin. It appears to have arisen from the expression in Exodus 34:29, Moses’ “face shone,” or, literally, “emitted rays,” where the Hebrew word _ka... [ Continue Reading ]
_Was the Lord displeased against the rivers?_ THE DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS We secure dominion over the forces of nature only through recognition of the laws that govern them. The floods that have made so great havoc in Europe and America this season are the natural results of violated law. 1. The f... [ Continue Reading ]
_The bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even Thy Word._ --The prophet’s closing prayer is that God would, in wrath, remember mercy. For this he is encouraged to hope by a remembrance of God’s past dealings with His people, which he reviews in a strain of sublime eloquen... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I trembled in myself._ HORROR OF GOD I. It is an abnormal state of mind. The benevolent character of God, and the moral constitution of the soul are sufficient to show that it was never intended that man should ever dread his Maker or be touched with any servile feelings in relation to Him. U... [ Continue Reading ]
_Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, etc._ UNITED PRAYER FOR REMOVAL OF TEMPORAL AFFLICTIONS We are called in a special manner to humble ourselves before God, on account of a great national calamity--an outbreak of cattle plague. So far as we can see, it comes directly from God. Some will say... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet._ STRENGTH, BUOYANCY, DEVOTION The expressions are of a highly metaphorical and imaginative character, but they admit of being brought down to very plain facts, and they tell us the results in heart and mind of true faith and... [ Continue Reading ]