2 Then the Lord replied: Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

vs 2-3 Why does God instruct Habakkuk to write down the revelation? How important is the written word in the Bible? What about portions we find difficult to understand? What does the term in verse 3 "it speaks of the end" mean to you?

Suddenly, God’s response to Habakkuk takes on a new form. The Hebrew word used here for revelation is < NwOzxa> chazon which means a vision or divine revelation. What started off as a complaint on Habakkuk’s part has now become a time when God would give a revelation to Habakkuk. God instructs Habakkuk to write down this revelation. Throughout the Old Testament we see references to the importance of God’s written word. For many years scholars doubted that these references could be authentic since it was thought that writing was unknown in the region. But new discoveries in this century have confirmed the Biblical accounts. We now know that writing was common place in the Ancient Near East long before the time of Abraham. And new linguistic evidence indicates that even the early histories in Genesis may have actually been handed down in written form.

Occasionally we find passages of scripture that are difficult for us to understand. Some of them are because of cultural differences, but others are simply beyond our present understanding. It is interesting in verse 3 that God tells Habakkuk, "the revelation awaits an appoint time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false." Of course this could simply mean the end of the Babylonian empire. But often Biblical prophecy contains veiled references to the end of the age. Even though it’s fun to try to figure out what the prophecy might be speaking about, it is impossible to know for sure until the prophesied events actually occur.

4 See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous will live by his faith.

vs 4 What does it mean that the righteous will live by his faith? How does this contrast with the unrighteous in the first half of this verse? What do our desires tell us about our faith?

The latter part of this verse is quoted three times in the New Testament. MacDonald points out that each time it is quoted, a different phrase is emphasized. In Romans 1:17, "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith," the emphasis is on the righteous. In Galatians 3:11, "Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith," the focus is on faith. And in Hebrews 10:38, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him," the emphasis is on living.

In this verse we the righteous contrasted with the unrighteous who are puffed up and whose desires are not upright. Christians need to be constantly on guard that are walking in faith instead of adopting the values of the world and falling prey to unrighteous desires.

5 Indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.
6 Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, "Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?
7 Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim.
8 Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

vs 5-8 Who will punish Babylonia? Why? How could we apply this to our daily living? Why do we sometimes make other people angry with us?

"Woe" is pronounced on Babylon five times in these verses. The Hebrew word used here for woe has come down to us in an English expression. The Hebrew is < ywOh> hoy which through the Yiddish has entered our language every time we say "oy!"

Although the Persian king Cyrus the Great was the one who conquered Babylonia, ultimately it was God who was in charge of Babylonia’s defeat. The reason Babylon was defeated is because they had angered and enraged their neighbors. Perhaps we should learn a lesson from this text. When we anger others, they usually want to get back at us in some way. It is so much more Christ-like when we can show love to others instead of anger.

9 Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin!
10 You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life.
11 The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.
12 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime!

vs 9-12 When crime and injustice prevail, what is the result? vs 9 How do we see people obtaining unjust gain today? vs 10 Why aren’t people shamed by wrongdoing anymore?

When people sense that others can get away with crime and injustice, legal restraint loses its hold on society. Laws are only obeyed when there is a trust between the rulers and the society. Otherwise, anarchy abounds and soon illegal activities are everywhere. There are not enough police officers to curb crime. The only thing that will curb crime is a genuine belief by the populace that crime and injustice is against the societal norm. Once crime and injustice, even though minor, becomes acceptable to a society, the seeds of anarchy are planted and no government program can ever stamp it out. This is why every good government must be controlled by moral values, not just legal rules. If there are moral values and standards behind the laws, then people will be much more likely to obey the laws. Once those moral underpinnings are removed, there will be no compelling reason for people to act justly.

This is why what is happening in America is so dangerous. When people lose faith in their justice system and trust in their government, they will become discouraged and laws will be ignored or disobeyed. This was true in Babylon’s time and it is true in our time. When people lose their moral compass, the result is that they are no longer ashamed by wrongdoing.

13 Has not the Lord Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

vs 13 What do you think this verse is talking about? In what ways do you feel that your labor is only fuel for the fire? How does this cause people to feel discouraged? How can we change this attitude in our own life?

When people do not have values and spiritual goals in their lives, their labor is like fuel for a fire – it quickly is consumed and used up. In the previous century 90% of all Americans were employed in the field of agriculture. Even though it was hard work, when you are doing something you know is worthwhile, it makes a difference in your attitude toward work. When we feel that everything we do is without meaning, we find ourselves also discouraged. God is the one who brings meaning to our lives. When we realize that we are working for the Lord, even the most meaningless job has value.

14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

vs 14 What does this verse mean to you? When do you think this will happen? How can we be a small part of filling the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God?

Throughout the Bible there is promised a time of peace in the earth when the whole world will serve God. That time has not come yet, and I won’t be one to make any predictions as so many are inclined to do as to when that might occur. But we can do our part right now to help fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord. We may not affect many, but I’m sure the early Christians in Jerusalem had no idea how widespread the gospel message would become after the day of Pentecost. Let us be willing to do our part to share our faith with others. We may never see the whole world filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea in this lifetime, but someday we will behold this mighty event. And perhaps we can point to some who we had an influence over to commit their lives to Christ.

15 Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.

vs 15 Does this sound like America today? Why is our society like this? What can we do about it?

This verse really does describe segments of our society, doesn’t it? America has been drinking from the wine of immorality and self-indulgence for too long. Let us stand up for the truth and proclaim the Lord’s deliverance lest we meet the same fate as the Babylonians did.

16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the Lord's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory.
17 The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.
18 Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.
19 Woe to him who says to wood, "Come to life!" Or to lifeless stone, "Wake up!" Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.

vs 16-19 What idols do we create in our own lives? List the four materials given that are used in making idols. How would each one apply to our idols today?

There are four materials mentioned in verse 19 which were used to make idols – wood, stone, gold, and silver. We may wonder how people in those days could worship such lifeless idols, but the truth is we have created our own idols. Our wooden idols may be our houses or things that we make out of wood. Stone idols could be our massive edifices and concrete shopping centers. Gold could be the jewelry and the ornaments that we place on our body. And silver could be our insatiable love for money and material possessions. We too worship idols. And God is just as angry with us as he was with the Babylonians over their idols.

20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

vs 20 Where is God amidst our society’s immorality? What assurance does this verse give you?

Even in the midst of a society of idol worshippers, God is in his holy temple – not only the temple in the heavens, but also in each temple of worship and in each believer’s heart. There are many voice clamoring for attention today. But let all the earth be silent before God. This is why it is important to maintain God’s house as a house of worship – a place to find peace and renewal.

Footnotes:

This study on Habakkuk 2:2-20 © 1999 by David Humpal, all rights reserved.

All scriptures unless otherwise noted are from the New International Version © 1971, Zondervan Bible Publishers

MacDonald: Believer’s Bible Commentary, Old Testament volume, pg. 1144 © 1990, Thomas Nelson Publishers