For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:1

1 I will stand at my watch
    and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
    and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

A. Find Out:

1. What did Habakkuk say he would do? v.1a
2. Where did he say he would do it? v.1b
3. What was he looking for? v.1c
4. So he could do what? v.1d

B. Think:

1. What do you think ‘standing’ speaks of?
2. What do you think ‘looking’ speaks of?
3. What does all this say of Habakkuk’s expectation?

C. Comment:

      The concept of a ‘watchman’ is familiar in Scripture. He was a man with good eyesight who was put high up on the walls of the city to see into the distance who might be coming (e.g. 2 Sam 13:34, 18:24-27). Ezekiel was also called by God to be a watchman (Ezek 3:17, 33:7), the picture of one who would ‘watch’ to see what God would say. We find a similar picture in Hosea 9:8.

       Thus Habakkuk now says he will be a watchman. To stand means that he will remain there until his watch ends and the word comes. To station himself on the ramparts means he will go aside to a place where he can look and listen without interruption to wait for God’s answer coming. When he says “I will look to see” he means I will focus on the Lord, I will give Him all my attention, so that my ears will be attentive to what He might say. The alternative end to this verse seems more likely (see note at bottom of your Bible page) meaning, ‘I will be ready to have a teachable heart when God brings His answer and corrects my faulty understanding of this situation.’

       That is a good attitude that we find here in Habakkuk: a recognition that it’s not God at fault – He’s bound to have a right answer – it’s my understanding that is inadequate and therefore I need straightening out. That’s how Habakkuk concludes his questions, with a good attitude: looking, listening, humble and teachable. This is a good example for us to take note of when we have questions.

D. Application:

1. God will never be at fault. He is perfect in every way.
2. Having questions? An indication that your thinking needs changing.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:2,3

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.

A. Find Out:

1. What does the Lord tell Habakkuk to do? v.2a
2. Why? v.2b
3. Of when does the revelation speak? v.3a
4. Of what does it speak? v.3b
5. Of what may Habakkuk be sure about it? v.3c
6. What may appear to be happening, but what is sure? v.3d

B. Think:

1. What is the point of Habakkuk writing down God’s word?
2. What may Habakkuk be tempted to feel about the fulfilment?
3. So what is the Lord saying to him first?

C. Comment:

      Habakkuk had questions, and then he has waited, and now he is being rewarded with an answer. However, as so often with prophecy, there is a real danger that because it is not going to be instantly fulfilled, it might be forgotten. So, the Lord takes steps to prevent that happening.

     First, he tells Habakkuk to write down what He is going to say to him. The reason is not very clear in the text. Either so that it can be given to a messenger to ensure it is taken to the people, or so that people can see it and run and flee from the destruction, or run to go and put their lives right. Whichever it is, it might be summarised, write it down so that it can be preserved and action taken in response to it.

     Second, the Lord reassures Habakkuk over the nature of it. There is a set time when it will be fulfilled – and that is not yet! You may end up wondering if you heard aright, but be assured you did, and it will definitely be fulfilled, it will definitely happen – eventually, at the right, appointed time.

      Very often when personal prophecies in particular are given, people expect instant answers and when they don’t get the answer straight away, they tend to forget the word that came. Don’t do that. Write it down. Make note of it. Hold onto it. Consider what your part is to be in its fulfilment. It will come, but perhaps not when you expect!

D. Application:

1. When God speaks He will do what He says.
2. Learn to be patient and faithful while waiting for the Lord.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:4-6a

4 ‘See, the enemy is puffed up;
    his desires are not upright –
    but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness –
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!

A. Find Out:

1. How does the Lord now describe someone? v.4a,b
2. What does wine do to him? v.5a
3. What is he like? v.5b
4. Why? What is he constantly doing? v.5c
5. Yet what will happen apparently? v.6a
6. Yet who will live? v.4c

B. Think:

1. Who do you think the Lord is speaking about in this passage?
2. What is He saying about him?
3. Why do you think He’s saying this to Habakkuk?

C. Comment:

     In this passage we need to consider WHO the Lord is speaking about, WHAT He is saying about him, and WHY He is saying it.

     First of all, note WHO the Lord is speaking about. He doesn’t specifically say who it is but as, in His previous word to Habakkuk, He spoke about bringing Babylon and Habakkuk’s complaint was about Babylon, we may safely assume this is either Babylon as a nation or the king of Babylon.

     Second, WHAT He is saying about him? He says Babylon is proud, that he has wrong desires, and when he gets drunk his true nature is revealed, he is arrogant and he’s constantly going to war to take captive more and more nations.

     Third, WHY is the Lord saying this? Because He wants Habakkuk to know that He is perfectly aware of the sort of king He’s dealing with – and He won’t let him get away with it!

     But there’s something else to be noted – “the just will live by his faith”, one of the most quoted phrases from the Old Testament – see Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38. The implication is that the proud will be brought to judgement and will die, but the just or the righteous person who operates by faith, responding to God, this person will live. A key truth tucked away in the judgment on the pride of Babylon!

D. Application:

1. Beware pride, for it will receive the judgement of God.
2. We live by faith, by responding obediently to all the Lord says.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:6b-8

‘“Woe to him who piles up stolen goods
    and makes himself wealthy by extortion!
    How long must this go on?”
7 Will not your creditors suddenly arise?
    Will they not wake up and make you tremble?
    Then you will become their prey.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
    the peoples who are left will plunder you.
For you have shed human blood;
    you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

A. Find Out:

1. Who is the first woe against? v.6b
2. What has he done? v.6c
3. Who will rise up against him? v.7a
4. What will that make this person? v.7c
5. What had he done? v.8a,c,d
6. So what will happen to him? v.8b

B. Think:

1. What is the accusation made?
2. How would this have applied to Babylon?
3. What retribution will come?

C. Comment:

     The Lord speaks against Babylon, the one He is going to use to discipline Israel. He’s quite aware of what Babylon is like and although He will use Babylon for His purposes, Babylon will feel the retribution of the Lord.

     First comes the accusation against Babylon, the things that this king, this people, this nation have done wrong. It starts out sounding at a personal or individual level and then develops to a national level. This one has become rich and powerful by stealing from others, by extorting the wealth of others. They have plundered many other nations, they have shed blood in their conquests and entire lands have been ravaged by them. There is nothing romantic about one nation getting rich by another nation; it means loss of life.

     Will this go on for ever (because the Babylonians think it will – implied)? No! There will come a time when those surrounding nations will rise up against them and they will become the victim, they will become the ones plundered. No, it won’t be a case of simply running down as a nation; they will receive what they have given. This will be the specific judgement of God upon them. They will be attacked, looted, plundered. What they did to others will be done to them. The punishment will fit the crime! This is justice.

D. Application:

1. The Lord does hold the unrighteous accountable.
2. His judgement may take time, but it will come.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:9-11

9 ‘Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain,
    setting 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.

A. Find Out:

1. Who does the Lord now speak against? v.9a
2. What is that person seeking to do? v.9b,c
3. What had they done? v.10a
4. Yet what had this brought on himself? v.10b
5. What will cry this out? v.11

B. Think:

1. What had this person done?
2. Why had they done it?
3. Yet what was the result?

C. Comment:

   The second woe is really just another aspect of the first one, another aspect of Babylon’s wrongs. In the first woe the Lord had identified their primary wrong as plundering other nations. In this one He deals with motivation and consequence.

    First, the motivation of Babylon. It must be true of any nation which plunders another without apparent cause, that the cause is in fact their own insecurity. A nation, or leader of a nation, who feels they have to build up their nation by taking from others, is not only unrighteous but they also feel weak, vulnerable and needing to be greater. The Lord pictures Babylon here as a predatory bird that seeks to set its nest higher than any other to avoid downfall. The thinking is that if I can make me bigger and stronger than any other, that will make me secure.

     But then comes the consequence. In the first woe, the Lord said the nations that had been plundered will come and plunder them. Now He speaks about them bringing shame on themselves. How is that? A nation that attacks another doesn’t gain glory, only criticism! Indeed, it will go further than bad feelings against them; it will eventually mean their downfall. The fact is that the splendour of Babylon’s construction is a testimony against it. The buildings have been built from the plunder from other nations. Their presence cries out as a testimony of their deeds. Glory? No! Instead, shame and destruction. That is the reality!

D. Application:

1. Our deeds produce a response in others that reveal us as we are.
2. Wrong deeds always bring shame.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:12-14

12 ‘Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed
    and establishes a town by injustice!
13 Has not the Lord Almighty determined
    that the people’s labour is only fuel for the fire,
    that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?
14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

A. Find Out:

1. What twofold condemnation comes next? v.12
2. What has the Lord determined? v.13
3. Why? v.14

B. Think:

1. How does the focus of this woe differ from the 2nd one?
2. Yet what similarities are there?
3. Why is all that Babylon does, a waste of time?

C. Comment:

     The first woe was a general condemnation about wrong doing, the second was about wrongly building a nation and the third is now about wrongly building a city. i.e. it is becoming more specific or more detailed as it goes along. The language suggests that if this was today, Babylon would appear before an international court because of their ‘stolen’ goods (v.6), their ‘unjust’ gain (v.9) and now their ‘crime’ (v.12). These woes are clear condemnations of Babylon’s wrong doings. Oh yes Habakkuk, the Lord is quite aware of who He is using!

    But, the Lord continues, you don’t have to worry about all of their wrong activities, they are a complete waste of time, they will not last. The more they build, the more there is to fuel the fire! Nations that try to build themselves in this manner are simply exhausting themselves for nothing because, says the Lord, they are answerable to me and, even more, at the end of all things, it won ‘t be their glory that will be seen around the earth, it will be mine!

     What is the lesson here that should be coming over to Habakkuk and to us? It doesn’t matter how big and strong and powerful and bad nations may appear, they are all answerable to the Lord and will all receive His censure if they continue in unrighteousness. The Lord is working to a plan and that involves using such nations for discipline, and the end of that plan is His glory being revealed to all men. It will happen, the Scripture is in no doubt about that (Phil 2:9-11). Hold on to the big picture.

D. Application:

1. Don’t be overawed by big nations. Be in awe of the Lord.
2. Don’t worry about injustice. God will hold the nations to account!

Passage: Habakkuk 2:15-17

15 ‘Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbours,
    pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,
    so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!
16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory.
    Now it is your turn! Drink and let your nakedness be exposed!
The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming round 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 human blood;
    you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

A. Find Out:

1. What accusation comes with the 4th woe? v.15
2. With what will they be filled? v.16a
3. From what are they going to drink, with what result? v.16b-d
4. What will they realise with what responses? v.17a,b
5. Why, for what were they being held to account? v.17c,d

B. Think:

1. What do you think the ‘drink’ was they gave their neighbours?
2. What is going to be the ‘drink’ that the Lord gives them?

C. Comment:

     Taking this woe at its face value we would have to say that the accusation is of getting neighbours drunk, but the flow into verse 17 suggests that this is prophetic language that means more than this. Elsewhere in Scripture ‘the cup’ is shown to mean the judgement of God that comes violently (see Isa 51:17 onwards and Lam 4:21) and thus it may be more realistic to suggest that the drunkenness that Babylon has brought on her neighbours has been the ‘drunkenness’ of fear. The effects of fear are similar to the effects of drunkenness. Thus Babylon is being judged for the violence and fear that they have brought to the surrounding nations. Soon it will be their turn. Whereas they stripped the surrounding lands and left the nations bare, the same thing will happen to them, and they will be exposed and shown for what they are.

     The meaning of verse 17 is open for consideration. It could mean that God will come with convicting power so that they will be faced with the awfulness of what they have done, bringing violence and destruction to other lands. Alternatively, it could mean that the violence they have done will rebound on them causing them such affliction that their resources will be depleted in such a measure as to cause them extreme anxiety, the animals being their own cattle they have to destroy to provide food in the face of famine. Whatever the meaning, it is judgement on their violence that will, one way or another, come back on them with overwhelming fear.

D. Application:

1. The Lord’s judgement may be delayed but it will come.
2. Judgement often comes in the form it was given.

Passage: Habakkuk 2:18-20

18 ‘Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?
    Or an image that teaches lies?
For the one 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.’

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

A. Find Out:

1. What now does the Lord deride and why? v.18a,c
2. Who does He then deride? v.19a,b
3. What does He imply it can’t do? v.19c
4. Where is the Lord? v.20a
5. So what does He counsel? v.20b

B. Think:

1. What is the heart of the folly in verse 18?
2. What is the futility shown in verse 19?
3. What is the point of verse 20?

C. Comment:

      This is really the 5th woe although the woe itself isn’t mentioned until half way through. The ‘strength’ of many pagan nations came through their superstitious belief in ‘gods’ or idols. This was as much true of Babylon as of any other pagan nation. This would also be well known and so the Lord addresses this before He finishes His answer to Habakkuk. Really what He is saying to Habakkuk is, don’t be fearful and look at their false religions; see what it is based upon. Stop and think about it in basic simplicity. An idol is something made by the hands of a man. It is lifeless and cannot speak and doesn’t have any special properties, so why should they trust in the things they have made? They may make them look good by covering the wood with silver or gold but does that bring it to life? Can that give them guidance? No! The whole idol worshipping thing is futile.

      Now comes the punch line! The “I AM” is in the temple here in Jerusalem. The One who has revealed Himself as the One, True, Living God, the Almighty One, the Lord of all things, the Eternal One, this living God is here in the temple in Jerusalem. Don’t worry about these Babylonians who are coming. Yes, I am going to use them, and I am quite aware of what they are like, but remember that I am the “I AM” revealed to Moses and I don’t change. I am still the Lord. Be at peace, I am still in the midst of all this!

D. Application:

1. Don’t lose perspective. God is still the Lord of all things.
2. Don’t focus on things. Focus on the Lord.