Tyndale Open Study NotesHabakkuk 2

Habakkuk struggled to understand how God's answer in Habakkuk 1:5–11 fit with God's character. How could a holy and just God punish Judah using a people more unrighteous than they were?

I will stand at my guard post: Like a sentinel on duty (a guard who watches for danger), Habakkuk waited with care and expectation to see how the Lord would answer his complaint. He was ready to listen, even if the Lord corrected him (see also 2 Samuel 18:24–28; 2 Kings 9:17–20; Ezekiel 33:2–6).

God answers Habakkuk's second complaint (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1) but does not explain why he chose the Babylonians. Instead, he assures Habakkuk that he will punish all violence and injustice.

Habakkuk's mission was to tell people that God's justice may seem slow, but it will definitely come.

God tells the prophet to write the vision clearly so people can understand, keep, and share it with others.

it will surely come: At a future time known only to the Lord, he will step into earth's history and bring it to a proper end. He will support the righteous and judge the wicked. God's people must wait patiently, knowing that the divine plan is on schedule (see Hebrews 10:35–38).

• God knows when proud people live only for themselves. Their dishonest lives show that they are not righteous. They refuse God’s instruction and choose what seems right to them (Proverbs 12:15; 21:8, 29; 29:27). In contrast, the righteous stand in the right relationship with God. They accept God’s righteous standards and live them out in their daily lives.

• faith: Hebrew ’emunah. This word translates the Hebrew ’emunah ("steadfastness, trust"). In Genesis, the same Hebrew root (’mn) describes Abram’s trust in God (Genesis 15:6). God transforms how people think and choose when they trust him so they can follow God’s holy standards faithfully. See also Romans 1:16–17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:37–39.

Five taunt songs describe God's future judgment on the Babylonians and others who act violently and unjustly (Habakkuk 2:6–8, 9–11, 12–14, 15–17, 18–20). God lets them bring about their own destruction. Those who suffer will repeat these taunts when the wicked face judgment (see Habakkuk 1:14–17). Each taunt includes:

• a statement of sorrow,

• a judgment, and

• the reason for God's judgment.

• In the first of Habakkuk’s taunt songs, he condemns the Babylonians for plundering other nations.

• him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans: The image compares the Babylonians to creditors (people who lend money) who demand harsh repayment. Their oppression causes those they exploit to rise up against them. Greed can damage the spiritual life of both individuals and nations (Luke 12:15; Ephesians 5:3).

In the second taunt song, the Babylonians face condemnation for their dishonest actions. They used deceit to gain resources for building large houses, which cost them their lives.

• In the third taunt song, the Babylonians face condemnation for their murder and corruption, which they used to gain wealth and build their cities. God will turn their apparent gain into a total loss.

• Earth will be filled: Unlike violence and stolen wealth, the awareness of the Lord's glory will spread as widely as water in the ocean (Isaiah 11:9).

In the fourth taunt song, the Babylonians face condemnation for their shameful acts against people, animals, and the environment. They are like a man who pretends to be friendly but, after getting his neighbors drunk, takes everything from them. However, the Babylonians will face disgrace after drinking from the cup of the Lord’s judgment (see Jeremiah 25:15–17; compare John 18:11).

In the fifth taunt song, the Babylonians face criticism for worshiping idols. Whether people carve or cast idols, they cannot save or teach their worshipers (Isaiah 42:17). Only the Lord truly deserves worship (Habakkuk 2:20; Exodus 20:2–6; compare Ecclesiastes 5:1–2).

The taunt songs end with a statement: The ruler of all nations is not a Babylonian idol but God who is holy (Habakkuk 2:18–20). Unlike the lifeless Babylonian idols, the living God resides in his holy temple. God's presence fills his heavenly sanctuary (Isaiah 6:1–5). During Habakkuk's time, God's presence filled the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10–11). God controls all the earth and expects people to worship him in humble submission (Psalm 63:1–4; Jeremiah 10:1–10; Micah 7:16; Zechariah 2:13).