Habakkuk 2: God's Response and the Promise of Justice
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.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord’s right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
Habakkuk 2 provides a crucial turning point in the book, shifting from the prophet's initial complaint to God's powerful and multifaceted response. This chapter delves into themes of divine justice, the fleeting nature of earthly power, and the enduring importance of faith. It's a message that resonates deeply even today, offering hope and guidance in a world often marked by injustice and uncertainty. Let's explore this chapter, verse by verse, to unpack its profound meaning.
Habakkuk's Watchful Waiting (2:1)
Habakkuk 2:1 captures the prophet's state of mind: frustrated but determined. Aware of the injustice of God using a wicked nation like Babylon to punish Judah, Habakkuk declares, "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." This verse reveals Habakkuk's commitment to seeking God's perspective, even when he doesn't understand God’s ways. He’s essentially saying, "I will watch to see what he will say to me . . . about my complaint." He takes a posture of attentiveness, ready to receive God's revelation and understand His purposes.
God's Revelation and the Call to Faithfulness (2:2-5)
God answers Habakkuk, not with a lengthy explanation, but with a vision and a command. Habakkuk 2:2-3 instructs the prophet to "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." This emphasizes the importance of recording God's word for future generations. The vision concerns a future event, likely the downfall of Babylon, and God assures Habakkuk that it will surely come to pass at the appointed time, even if it seems to tarry. "History would be a witness to God’s revelation."
Habakkuk 2:4-5 then presents a stark contrast between the wicked and the righteous. While the arrogant and insatiable Babylonian king is described as "puffed up; his desires are not upright," the righteous will "live by their faithfulness." This is the core message of the chapter: true life is found not in earthly power or possessions, but in unwavering faith in God. This echoes throughout Scripture and provides a timeless principle for believers. Habakkuk didn't receive a detailed explanation, but a simple yet profound instruction: "Trust me and follow my instructions."
Woes Against the Wicked (2:6-20)
The rest of Habakkuk 2 unfolds as a series of five "woes" pronounced against the wicked. These woes illustrate the inevitable consequences of injustice, greed, violence, and idolatry.
- Woe to those who amass unjust gain (2:6-8): Those who plunder others will themselves be plundered. God's principles of righteousness and justice cannot be ignored without consequence. The Babylonians would eventually face judgment for their wickedness. "The one who had plundered many nations (2:8) would himself be plundered."
- Woe to those who build cities with bloodshed (2:9-11): Ill-gotten gains and violence will ultimately lead to destruction.
- Woe to those who make their neighbors drunk (2:12-14): This refers to exploiting and humiliating others. While Babylon may be filled with disgrace (2:16), the earth will ultimately be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory (2:14).
- Woe to those who build cities with bloodshed and establish towns by injustice! (2:15-17): This speaks to the futility of building a kingdom on wickedness.
- Woe to those who worship idols (2:18-20): Idols are lifeless and powerless, offering no real help or hope. In contrast, "the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him" (2:20). Those who worship an idol worship what is lifeless and cannot speak (2:18), but the LORD is alive and in his holy temple (2:20).
God reminds his prophet that the king of Babylon is nothing compared to him, the LORD of Armies (2:13).
These woes serve as a powerful reminder that God sees all injustice and that He will ultimately hold everyone accountable. Even the wicked who escape judgment in this earthly life will face it in eternity. All human sin will either be judged in hell or at the cross of Christ. God has a track record of consistency, and persistent sin always brings about his judgment.
Living by Faith in a World of Injustice
Habakkuk 2 offers a message of hope and resilience. Even when we see injustice prevailing and struggle to understand God's plans, we can trust in His faithfulness and justice. The righteous are called to live by faith, knowing that God will ultimately make all things right. This chapter encourages us to remain steadfast in our commitment to God, even when the world around us seems to be crumbling. It reminds us that earthly power is fleeting, but God's kingdom is eternal. Habakkuk 2:4 is a cornerstone of faith, reminding us that true life is found in trusting God and living according to His principles. This is a truth that transcends time and circumstance, offering hope and guidance to all who seek to follow God faithfully. We, too, can operate in the knowledge that God has everything under control. God’s agenda may be mysterious, but it’s perfect. Everything he does will bring him glory and is ultimately for the good of his people (see Romans 8:28).
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.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord’s right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
Habakkuk 2 provides a crucial turning point in the book, shifting from the prophet's initial complaint to God's powerful and multifaceted response. This chapter delves into themes of divine justice, the fleeting nature of earthly power, and the enduring importance of faith. It's a message that resonates deeply even today, offering hope and guidance in a world often marked by injustice and uncertainty. Let's explore this chapter, verse by verse, to unpack its profound meaning.
Habakkuk's Watchful Waiting (2:1)
Habakkuk 2:1 captures the prophet's state of mind: frustrated but determined. Aware of the injustice of God using a wicked nation like Babylon to punish Judah, Habakkuk declares, "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." This verse reveals Habakkuk's commitment to seeking God's perspective, even when he doesn't understand God’s ways. He’s essentially saying, "I will watch to see what he will say to me . . . about my complaint." He takes a posture of attentiveness, ready to receive God's revelation and understand His purposes.
God's Revelation and the Call to Faithfulness (2:2-5)
God answers Habakkuk, not with a lengthy explanation, but with a vision and a command. Habakkuk 2:2-3 instructs the prophet to "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." This emphasizes the importance of recording God's word for future generations. The vision concerns a future event, likely the downfall of Babylon, and God assures Habakkuk that it will surely come to pass at the appointed time, even if it seems to tarry. "History would be a witness to God’s revelation."
Habakkuk 2:4-5 then presents a stark contrast between the wicked and the righteous. While the arrogant and insatiable Babylonian king is described as "puffed up; his desires are not upright," the righteous will "live by their faithfulness." This is the core message of the chapter: true life is found not in earthly power or possessions, but in unwavering faith in God. This echoes throughout Scripture and provides a timeless principle for believers. Habakkuk didn't receive a detailed explanation, but a simple yet profound instruction: "Trust me and follow my instructions."
Woes Against the Wicked (2:6-20)
The rest of Habakkuk 2 unfolds as a series of five "woes" pronounced against the wicked. These woes illustrate the inevitable consequences of injustice, greed, violence, and idolatry.
- Woe to those who amass unjust gain (2:6-8): Those who plunder others will themselves be plundered. God's principles of righteousness and justice cannot be ignored without consequence. The Babylonians would eventually face judgment for their wickedness. "The one who had plundered many nations (2:8) would himself be plundered."
- Woe to those who build cities with bloodshed (2:9-11): Ill-gotten gains and violence will ultimately lead to destruction.
- Woe to those who make their neighbors drunk (2:12-14): This refers to exploiting and humiliating others. While Babylon may be filled with disgrace (2:16), the earth will ultimately be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory (2:14).
- Woe to those who build cities with bloodshed and establish towns by injustice! (2:15-17): This speaks to the futility of building a kingdom on wickedness.
- Woe to those who worship idols (2:18-20): Idols are lifeless and powerless, offering no real help or hope. In contrast, "the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him" (2:20). Those who worship an idol worship what is lifeless and cannot speak (2:18), but the LORD is alive and in his holy temple (2:20).
God reminds his prophet that the king of Babylon is nothing compared to him, the LORD of Armies (2:13).
These woes serve as a powerful reminder that God sees all injustice and that He will ultimately hold everyone accountable. Even the wicked who escape judgment in this earthly life will face it in eternity. All human sin will either be judged in hell or at the cross of Christ. God has a track record of consistency, and persistent sin always brings about his judgment.
Living by Faith in a World of Injustice
Habakkuk 2 offers a message of hope and resilience. Even when we see injustice prevailing and struggle to understand God's plans, we can trust in His faithfulness and justice. The righteous are called to live by faith, knowing that God will ultimately make all things right. This chapter encourages us to remain steadfast in our commitment to God, even when the world around us seems to be crumbling. It reminds us that earthly power is fleeting, but God's kingdom is eternal. Habakkuk 2:4 is a cornerstone of faith, reminding us that true life is found in trusting God and living according to His principles. This is a truth that transcends time and circumstance, offering hope and guidance to all who seek to follow God faithfully. We, too, can operate in the knowledge that God has everything under control. God’s agenda may be mysterious, but it’s perfect. Everything he does will bring him glory and is ultimately for the good of his people (see Romans 8:28).