Habakkuk 2

C—After all of his questions, Habakkuk vows to stand as close to God as he can to see what He will answer.  He stands and plants his feet, which shows his determination to see this conversation to its end.  And God answers by laying out the “woes” to the Chaldeans.  The word for “woe” in the original language is “alas!” or “ah-ha!” Which gives a sense of “they think they’re getting away with their evil, but alas, they’re not.” 

I—God answers Habakkuk’s list of complaints with a list of His own.   He instructs Habakkuk to write it all down, and have someone run and read it to all of Judah.  He tells them “Judgement and redemption may seem long in coming, but be patient, I am always on time.” (Which should bring to mind 2 Peter 3:2-13 from our last study ❤️ I love when God’s Word confirms itself!!) Those who pattern themselves according to God’s Word will live by their faith in it.  The contrast of that is a man who refuses warnings and wisdom.  He seems to be full of himself, but he counts on strong drink to numb his senses.  He’s greedy, arrogant, he thinks both heaven and hell are within his reach.  He gathers a lot of people around him, but has loyalty to none.  God sees it, and he does have a plan after all.  God directly answers each of Habakkuk’s complaints with a clear picture of what the actions of the Chaldeans will get them.  They stockpile what isn’t theirs and what they can’t afford, giving the appearance of success.  When the collectors come, the Chaldeans will be shown no mercy.  They have built mansions at the expense of those they conquered, whether by slavery or robbery.  They build their houses as fortresses, their neglect of those around them bringing shame.  The Chaldeans benefit from bloodshed and the foundation of their city is crime.  People are working and wearing themselves out, but their end is destruction, according to God Himself.  They invite others to drink with them, but only to embarrass and belittle them.  They think they are making themselves look bigger and better, but it ultimately exposes their own ungodliness.  

The only worth in an idol is found in its maker, who makes the idol from metal and then claims it has power.  🤦‍♀️ The designer pats himself on the back in pride over an idol that can’t speak, teach, breathe, wake up, or rise up.  But God.  He Is Speaking, Teaching, Breathing, Awake, and at Work.  Be silent, be reverent, and be amazed!! 

A—This chapter changes me in verse 14.  “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” So many opinions, so many injustices, so much wrong in the world, both in Habakkuk’s time and in ours.  But one day, you will no more be able to separate the knowledge of God’s glory than you could separate the waters from the sea! He will fill the earth with redemption; all will be exactly as it should be and it will be right on time.  I see us in verse 2–“Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” (NIV) Habakkuk asked the hard questions; God answered; Habakkuk wrote it down; and we, like millions before us and possibly millions after us, we get to be the “heralds”—running to tell others the vision from God, His Great Plan, the judgement of sin, and Redemption Through Christ Jesus our Lord, who is in His Holy Temple, now and forever!!!