Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. BEHOLD, HIS SOUL WHICH IS LIFTED UP - the Chaldean's soul (Maurer). The unbelieving Jew's soul (Henderson). IS NOT UPRIGHT IN HIM - i:e., is not accounted upright in God's sight; in antithesis to "the just shall live." So Hebrews 10:38, which with inspired authority applies the general sense to the particular case which Paul had in view, "If any man draw back (one result of being "lifted up" with over-weening arrogancy), my soul shall hare no pleasure in him." BUT THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH - the Jewish nation, as opposed to the unbelieving Chaldean (cf. Habakkuk 2:5, etc.;...

This verse stands connected with the last, for the Prophet means to show that nothing is better than to rely on God’s word, how much soever may various temptations assault our souls. We hence see that nothing new is said here, but that the former doctrine is confirmed—that our salvation is rendered safe and certain through God’s promise alone, and that therefore we ought not to seek any other haven, where we might securely sustain all the onsets of Satan and of the world. But he sets the two clauses the one opposed to the other: every man who would fortify himself would ever be subject to various changes, and never attain a quiet mind; then comes the other clause—that man cannot otherwise obtain rest than by faith. But the former part is variously explained. Some interpreters think the word עפלה, _ophle_, to be a noun, and render it elevation, which is not unsuitable; and indeed I hesita...

1-4 When tossed and perplexed with doubts about the methods of Providence, we must watch against temptations to be impatient. When we have poured out complaints and requests before God, we must observe the answers God gives by his word, his Spirit, and providences; what the Lord will say to our case. God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say unto them. All are concerned in the truths of God's word. Though the promised favour be deferred long, it will come at last, and abundantly recompense us for waiting. The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain an interest in this salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, in and through whom it is given. Thus he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God's all-suffi...

Verse 4. _BEHOLD, HIS SOUL_ WHICH _IS LIFTED UP_] Hee that presumes on his safety without any special warrant from God, is a _proud_ _man_; and whatever he may profess, or think of himself, his _mind_ _is not upright in him_. But he that is _just by faith shall live_ - he that _believes_ what God hath said relative to the Chaldeans besieging Jerusalem, shall make his escape from the place, and consequently shall _save his life_. The words in the _New Testament_ are accommodated to the _salvation_ which _believers in Christ_ shall possess. Indeed, the just - the true Christians, who believed in Jesus Christ's words relative to the destruction of Jerusalem, when they found the Romans coming against it, left the city, and escaped to _Pella_ in Coelesyria, and did _live_ - their lives were saved: while the unbelieving Jews, to a man, either _perished_ or were made _slaves_. One good sen...

BEHOLD, HIS SOUL WHICH IS LIFTED UP - literally, swollen IS NOT UPRIGHT IN HIM - The construction is probably that of a condition expressed absolutely. Lo, swollen is it, not upright is his soul in him. We should say, “His soul, if it be swollen , puffed up, is not upright in him.” The source of all sin was and is pride. It is especially the sin of all oppressors, of the Chaldee, of antichrists, and shall be of the antichrist. It is the parent of all heresy, and of all corruption and rejection of the gospel. It stands therefore as the type of all opposed to it. Of it he says, it is in its very inmost core (“in him”) lacking in uprightness. It can have no good in it, because it denies God, and God denies it His grace. And having nothing upright in it, being corrupt in its very inmost being, it cannot stand or abide. God gives it no power to stand. The words stand in contrast with the foll...

EXPOSITION HABAKKUK 2:1 § 5. _The prophet, waiting for an answer to his expostulation, is bidden to write the oracle in plain characters, because its fulfilment is certain._ HABAKKUK 2:1 Habakkuk speaks with himself, and, mindful of his office, waits for the communication which he confidently ex-poets (Jeremiah 33:3). I WILL STAND UPON MY WATCH (Isaiah 21:6, Isaiah 21:8). As a watchman goes to a high place to see all around and discern what is coming, so the prophet pla

BEHOLD, HIS SOUL [WHICH] IS LIFTED UP IS NOT UPRIGHT IN HIM,.... This and the following clause describe two sorts of persons differently affected to the Messiah, and the promise of his coming. Here it points at such as were "incredulous", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; that disbelieved his coming, and mocked and scoffed at the promise of it; as well as those that did not believe in him when he came, though he had all the characteristics of the Messiah; and damnation was the certain consequence of their unbelief. The proud and haughty Scribes and Pharisees are here plainly described, whose minds were elated with themselves; whose hearts were like bubbles, blown up, full of wind; whose souls swelled with pride and vanity, and a high conceit of themselves; of their merit and worth; of their holiness and works of righteousness; and treated those they thought below them in these thi...

Habakkuk 2:1. _I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved._ «I shall look to God, and I shall also look to myself. There shall be an expectation as I gaze upward to my Lord, and there shall also be an examination as I look within at my empty, guilty, good-for-nothing self.» Habakkuk 2:2. _And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it._ The prophets were accustomed to write their messages upon wax tablets, and the Lord bade Habakkuk thus write what he had seen. God would have both his law and his gospel plainly revealed to men, so that they might know and understand his will. Paul wrote to the Corint

CHAPTER 2 The Ungodliness of the Chaldeans and Their Destruction _ 1. The waiting prophet and the message he received (Habakkuk 2:1) _ 2. The five-fold woe upon the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 2:5) Habakkuk 2:1. It seems there was no immediate answer to the plea of the prophet. He then speaks to himself and expresses his attitude. “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and I will wait to see what He will say to me, and what I shall answer as to my complaint.” He watches like a sentinel upon a watchtower for the answer the Lord will give him. It does not mean that the prophet actually ascended a tower, but he expresses his innermost attitude by the symbol of the watchman. He remained

THE ORACLE FROM YAHWEH. Unable to explain the mystery, the prophet stations himself on his watch-tower, and looks for the revelation of God's purpose. Soon the oracle comes, and he is asked to write it on tablets plainly, that one may read it running: Behold, the soul of the wicked shall faint in him, but the righteous shall live by his faithfulness (his loyalty to God and His promises). HABAKKUK 2:1. I WILL STAND, etc.: an imaginative representation of the prophet's mission as _tsopheh_, watchman (_cf._ Isaiah 21:6 ff.). For -'_ ashib_, I shall return (answer), read _yashib_, He will return (Syr.). Habakkuk 2:2. That one may run while reading it: _i.e._ that one may read it at