In the first chapter, the prophet struggled with God’s coming judgment against Judah through the pagan Babylonians. He was perplexed, angry and questioning.
In Chapter 2, Habakkuk revealed a determination to hear from God again and, accordingly, prepare his response.
In verse 1, he positioned himself as a watchman on the wall, looking in all directions, for a word from God. He took a stand with the determined expectation that he would hear from God.
God answered Habakkuk in verses 2-5. In verse 2, he is commanded to write the vision he received from God. It was to be written on tablets, which indicated the message was to be kept for posterity. The message provided Habakkuk with certainty, even though the promised blessing and restoration would be in the future. God said in verse 3 that the vision was for the appointed time and “though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
The key for the prophet, and for us, is to trust God’s promises rather than our current circumstances. God is just. Wrong will not forever be on the throne. Righteousness will reign. The question is: When? Like Habakkuk, we can be assured of God’s care for His people even in the midst of challenging and difficult times.
In verse 4, the subject turns to the Babylonian nation, which is described as “the proud one.” God used a pagan nation as His tool for disciplining His people. The Chaldeans ruined Judah, but the evil that characterized them also destroyed them. What could Habakkuk do? What can any of God’s people do in times when evil dominates the landscape? Verse 4 says: “The righteous will live by his faith (or faithfulness).” Our calling is not to circumstantial obedience but persistent obedience. Psalm 119:30 says: “I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Thine ordinances before me.”
When Martin Luther spearheaded the Great Reformation, his theme was “the just shall live by faith.” Faithfulness is the mark of successful living in God’s kingdom. It is especially important during times of crisis.
The Chaldeans would be punished, and the tool of their destruction would be their own pride. Pride is a root of sin and an obstacle to God. First Peter 5:5 says: “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 16:18 states: “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
The pagans who were chosen to discipline God’s people are characterized in verse 5. They were drunk with wine, which could be taken literally, or symbolically to emphasize they were drunk with power and a desire for conquest. They were being consumed by their own desires. The more they gained, the more they wanted.
God was not going to change what He announced He was going to do to His own disobedient people. However, He did give Habakkuk a reason to hope. His people would one day again be blessed, and wicked Babylon would be judged and destroyed.
God does not discipline His people without a redeeming purpose. Hebrews 12:11 says: “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
If we experience something like Judah, we can be sure of God’s faithfulness and our call to be faithful to Him. His Word can encourage us even when we cannot see immediate deliverance from our situation. God will always be the same God — and that is a blessing beyond our wisdom, feelings or circumstances.