Read the Passage: Habakkuk 2

Permanence of the Message (2:1–3)

God’s answer to Habakkuk, that He was preparing the Babylonians to judge Israel (cf. Hab. 1:5–11), prompted the prophet to question the nature of God’s judgment, as he asked, “Why do you look on those who deal treacherously, and hold your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (Hab. 1:13). After asking this question, with some caveats in Hab. 1:12–17, Habakkuk states, “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what God will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected” (Hab. 2:1). It is interesting to observe that, like Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 3:16–27), Habakkuk understood himself to be a watchman over the souls of God’s people. Furthermore, from his statement in Hab. 2:1, we can conclude that Habakkuk expected to be corrected regarding his understanding of the nature of God’s judgment.

In responding to Habakkuk, God charged him, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets . . . . For the vision is yet for an appointed time” (Hab. 2:2–3). These instructions, which are similar to those given to Moses (cf. Exod. 34:1) and later to Daniel (cf. Dan. 12:4), reveal that God’s judgment of sin, via the Babylonians, is not His final judgment. In fact, in 539 BC, God would use the Medo-Persians to judge the Babylonians, which was more than 70 years in the then future for Habakkuk. More importantly, however, is the truth that God would finally judge sin, not with the sword of an unrighteous nation, but with the life of His righteous Son. This is alluded to in Hab. 2:4, which is repeatedly quoted in the New Testament (cf. Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38), as it communicates the core of the gospel message—that is, justification by faith alone in Christ alone.

Character of Man (2:4)

God’s response about the nature of divine judgment is summed up in Hab. 2:4, “The just shall live by his faith.” This verse is likely the most well-known verse in this book, as Paul cites it at Rom. 1:17 and Gal. 3:11 to show that salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone. The writer of the book of Hebrews also cites Hab. 2:4 at Heb. 10:38 to show that faith assure us of salvation. It is important to note the context of Hab. 2:4, as in this passage God contrasts those who rely upon their pride and are not upright (cf. Hab. 2:4a), with those who rely upon their faith and have eternal life (cf. Hab. 2:4b). Those who try to justify themselves by their own works, perhaps even flourishing in the material world, will grow proud. Contextually, this is a description of the Babylonians, who had risen to power and were in the process of conquering the then known world via their own efforts and works.

Perhaps the most well-known citation of Hab. 2:4 is in the book of Romans. Here at Rom. 1:16–17 gives what many believe to be the summary verse of his entire letter, as he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” In this passage, it is evident Paul believes that Hab. 2:4 communicates the gospel message. The reformer Martin Luther suggested what some understand to be a clearer translation of Hab. 2:4. Luther rendered this verse, “He who through faith is righteous shall have life.” This is a helpful translation, for it allows us to see that the only way to escape God’s righteous judgment, and to attain eternal life, is through faith in Jesus.

God’s Judgment (2:5–20)

In teaching Habakkuk that faith is the only way to become righteous, God was warning the prophet not to make judgments based upon the external works of others (cf. Ps. 73). In Hab. 2:5, the Lord personifies the Chaldeans as a proud, foolish man who consumes alcohol and refuses to stay at home. In this passage, this hypothetical man is depicted as being greedy and insatiable, like death and hell. Following this, at Hab. 2:6–20, God expands this illustration as he pronounces five separate woes, which are given in three verses each, against this personified man. These woes come because of: (1) extortion and poor stewardship—cf. Hab. 2:6–8, (2) exploitation and unchecked desires—cf. Hab. 2:9–11, (3) ruthlessness and forced labor—cf. Hab. 2:12–14, (4) debauchery and loveless hearts—cf. Hab. 2:15–17, and (5) idolatry and materialism—cf. Hab. 2:18–20.

Application Questions:

1. If man should not tempt God (cf. Luke 4:12), why does God invite man to test Him (cf. Mal. 3:10)? How do testing and tempting differ?
2. Do you think Habakkuk fully understood the significance of the message he was
   delivering (cf. 2 Pet. 1:20–21)?
3. How would you define the concept of faith (cf. Heb. 11:1)? Do most Christians have an adequate understanding of faith?
4. If salvation is by faith alone, why do Christians oftentimes evaluate their own relationship with God based upon works?
5. Does the thought of God’s accountability for sin comfort or concern you? How would God’s reply to Habakkuk have reoriented his thinking?