John Calvin Commentary Habakkuk 1:6

"For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs." — Habakkuk 1:6 (ASV)

This verse is added by the Prophet as an explanation, for it was not enough to speak generally of God’s work without reminding them that their destruction by the Chaldeans was near at hand. He does not indeed in this verse explain what would be the character of that judgment which he had mentioned in the last verse (Habakkuk 1:5), but he will do this in what follows.

Now the Prophets differ from Moses in this respect, for they show, as it were by the finger, what he threatened generally, and they declare the special judgments of God, as is indeed evident from the demonstrative adverb, “Behold.”

How necessary this was, we may gather from the perverseness of that people. For however distinctly the Prophets showed them God’s judgments, so that they saw them with their eyes, yet so great was their insensibility that they despised such apparent denunciations. What, then, would have been done if the Prophets had only said in general, ‘God will not spare you!’? This, then, is the reason why the Prophet, having spoken of God’s terrible vengeance, now declares in express terms that the Chaldeans were already armed by Him to execute His judgment. The rest we leave for tomorrow.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as our sins cry continually to heaven, each of us may turn to repentance, and by condemning ourselves of our own accord may anticipate Your judgment, and thus stir ourselves up to repentance, that being received into favor, we may find You, whom we have provoked to take vengeance, to be indeed our Father. May we be so preserved by You in this world, that having at length put off all our vices, we may attain to that perfection of purity to which You invite us. Thus lead us more and more to Yourself by Your Spirit, and separate us from the corruptions of this world, that we may glorify You before men, and be at last made partakers of that celestial glory which has been purchased for us by the blood of Your only begotten Son. Amen.

[Exposition continues from previous day's lecture]

In the lecture of yesterday, the Prophet began to show from whom the Jews were to expect the vengeance of God: even from the Chaldeans, who would come, not by their own instinct, but by the hidden impulse of God. God indeed testifies that He would be the author of this war, and that the Chaldeans would fight, as it were, under His auspices.

I am He, He says, who excites, etc. Then by calling the Chaldeans a bitter and hasty nation, He intended seriously to terrify the Jews, who had heedlessly despised all threats. It was not indeed a subject of praise to the Chaldeans that they were bitter and impetuous, but the Lord could turn these vices to a good purpose, inasmuch as He elicits light from darkness.

When, therefore, we read that the Chaldeans were bitter, and also hasty, God thus intimates that He can employ the vices of men in executing His judgments, and yet thereby contract no spot or blemish; for we cannot possibly pollute Him with our filth, as He scatters it far away by the brightness of His justice and equity.

He afterwards adds, They shall march through the latitudes of the earth, to possess habitations not their own. He means that there would be no obstacles in the way of the Chaldeans, but that they would spread themselves over the whole earth and occupy regions far remote.

For those who fear dare not thus disperse themselves; on the contrary, they advance cautiously with a collected army. But those who have already obtained victory march on to lay waste the land. This is what the Prophet says the Chaldeans would do.

The meaning is that they would not come to carry on an uncertain warfare, but that they would enjoy a victory, for they would by an impetuous course fill the land, so as to occupy tents or habitations not their own. It was indeed a matter of blame in the Chaldeans that they thus made inroads on their own neighbors; but, as I have said, God intended only to fill the Jews with terror, because He found that all threats were despised. He therefore meant to show how terrible the Chaldeans would be, and the Prophet confirms the same in the next verse.