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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.
² And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
³ 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.
⁴ Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
⁵ 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:
⁶ 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!
⁷ Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
⁸ 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.
⁹ 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!
¹⁰ Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.
¹¹ For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
¹² Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
¹³ 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?
¹⁴ For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
¹⁵ 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!
¹⁶ 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.
¹⁷ 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.
¹⁸ 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?
¹⁹ 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.
²⁰ But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
🌾 Habakkuk’s Vision and God’s Response 🌾
“And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” – Habakkuk 2:2
Habakkuk Chapter 2 is a pivotal chapter that reveals God’s plan for justice in the face of the evil prevailing in the world. The prophet Habakkuk has questioned God’s methods in Chapter 1, but now, God speaks to him with clarity and promises that the wicked will be judged, and the righteous will live by faith. This chapter highlights the importance of waiting on God’s timing, trusting in His plan, and living by faith even when circumstances seem unjust or unclear.
Habakkuk receives a vision of God’s righteous judgment, the promise of a future judgment against the Babylonians, and the profound truth that the righteous will live by faith. It’s a chapter that calls us to trust in God’s sovereignty, to be patient, and to understand that justice will come in God’s perfect timing.
📜 Structure of Habakkuk Chapter 2
Verses 1–3: Waiting for God’s Answer
Habakkuk positions himself to wait for God’s response, confident that God will speak to him. The importance of waiting for God’s perfect timing is emphasized here, as God’s answers are not bound by human expectations but are always timely and just. The vision given to Habakkuk is meant to be written plainly so that all who read it may run with the knowledge of God’s coming judgment.
Verses 4–5: The Just Shall Live by Faith
The key verse of the chapter, Habakkuk 2:4, states that “the just shall live by his faith.” This verse is quoted in the New Testament (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38) and is central to understanding the Christian walk of faith. It teaches that despite the circumstances, the righteous live by faith in God’s promises, not by sight. God also warns about the dangers of pride, particularly through the Babylonians who trust in their own strength and glory.
Verses 6–20: Woes to the Wicked
God pronounces a series of “woes” upon the Babylonians and others who live by injustice and greed. These woes reveal the consequences of oppression, violence, and exploitation, reminding us that those who live by wickedness will face judgment. The chapter also highlights God’s sovereign rule over the nations and emphasizes that idols and false gods are powerless compared to the true God.
Verses 18–20: The Power of God’s Glory
The chapter closes with a reminder that God is in His holy temple and that all the earth should remain silent before Him. The emphasis here is on God’s sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His glory over all things.
💡 Key Themes
✨ The Power of Faith
Faith is not just about belief; it’s about trusting God’s plan even when the future seems uncertain. Habakkuk 2 teaches that the righteous shall live by faith, demonstrating how trust in God shapes our present and eternal life.
✨ God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
God’s judgment against the Babylonians and all the nations teaches us that He is in control of the earth’s affairs. Even when evil seems to prevail, God will bring justice in His time.
✨ The Consequences of Injustice
The series of woes shows that those who live by wickedness will face divine retribution. This is a sobering reminder of the consequences of greed, violence, and idolatry.
👤 Key People
- Habakkuk – The prophet who questions God but is ultimately taught to trust in God’s righteous judgment.
- The Babylonians – Representing those who live by violence, greed, and pride. God pronounces judgment on them for their wickedness.
- God – The sovereign Judge who promises that justice will be done in His perfect timing.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Habakkuk 2 calls us to reflect on our faith and how we trust in God during challenging times. It teaches us that despite the appearance of injustice in the world, God’s justice will prevail. The righteous are called to live by faith, and we can be confident that God is always in control.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- How do you respond when you see injustice around you? Do you trust in God’s plan to bring justice, even when it seems delayed?
- In what ways can you strengthen your faith in God’s promises, especially in difficult times?
- How can you live by faith, knowing that God has a greater plan for your life?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Habakkuk Chapter 3