Habakkuk Chapter 2 Help from the Book of Habakkuk

Habakkuk 2: [1] I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

1) The Resolution of Habakkuk (1)

Habakkuk began in Chapter 1, with a heavy burden for a world filled with injustice.

It seems that he lived in a world where the good suffer evil and the evil rejoice in prosperity.

Habakkuk complained that nothing is being done to stop the evil of the day.

Suddenly, GOD responded to Habakkuk’s complaints and says He is sending justice and chastisement.

GOD says that He will raise up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) up to conquer Judah.

GOD will use the Babylonians as His instrument of judgment for the sins of Judah.

Habakkuk realized that GOD had ordained the Babylonians to bring judgment to Judah.

This judgment would surely be a corrective action to Judah.

Habakkuk confesses to the LORD that these corrective actions bring more questions to his mind.

Habakkuk knew Judah had sinned terribly, but how could GOD use a nation more sinful to chastise Judah?

In verse 1 of chapter 2, Habakkuk will stand ready and await GOD’s answer to his questions.

Habakkuk is not demanding an answer but is expecting that GOD will answer.

Habakkuk is not questioning GOD because Habakkuk thinks GOD is wrong.

Habakkuk is questioning because Habakkuk does not understand and wants GOD to correct Habakkuk’s thinking.

The word “reproved” is a word that means corrected.

Habakkuk will listen carefully and take heed to GOD’s Words.

Habakkuk 2: [2] And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. [3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

] 2) The Roll of Habakkuk (2-3)

In verse 2, the LORD did answer Habakkuk’s latest line of questioning.

GOD’s answer will come in a vision.

GOD told Habakkuk to write down the vision, for GOD does not want it to be forgotten.

GOD also wants Habakkuk to make this vision known, for people need to be reminded of it.

The scriptures are like a roadmap for directions and serve a guide for our lives.

We are to read His word, believe it and run to proclaim it.

In verse 3, GOD says this vision is for an appointed time.

GOD says that Judah will need to be patient for it’s fulfillment.

GOD says “though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.”

Habakkuk will be writing to an age beyond his own BUT these things will surely come to pass.

The promise of fulfillment may seem silent “but at the end it will speak and not lie.”

Thus Habakkuk begins to write and share the vision that GOD gave the prophet.

Habakkuk 2: [4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

3) The Revelation to Habakkuk (4)

GOD is getting ready to share the plight of the Babylonians that will conquer Judah.

GOD will hold the Babylonians accountable and will one day bring judgment upon Babylon.

* Now I am sure there are some people that will proudly reject the vision of Habakkuk

* Many just presumed safety even though Judah had turned their backs on GOD.

* Then again there will be some who believe the vision by faith and make preparations.

GOD says that the soul of the man who is lifted up is not upright.

The soul that is lifted up in pride looks to self and not to the LORD.

BUT, GOD says “the just shall live by faith.”

The justified man is under the blood of Jesus. The justified man is seen “just as if he never sinned.”

GOD says the justified, by his faith, will live. GOD says the justified man will have a living faith.

Genuine faith looks to GOD and not to self. Without faith it is impossible to please GOD (Heb 11:6).

Habakkuk 2: [5] Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: [6] Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him,

4) The Rendering to Habakkuk (5, 6a)

In verse 5, GOD says that Babylon is a nation under the influence of wine and is out of control.

Alcohol and wine give Babylon a false bravado and a false sense of security.

GOD says that Babylon is “a proud man.” Babylon is filled with pride and they give glory to self.

Proverbs 6:16-19

[16] These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
[17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
[18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
[19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

· I remember the story about the 2 ducks and the frog that live in Farmer Browns pond.

· A drought came and the 2 ducks said they would simply fly away.

· BUT the frog said “What about me? I will never make it!”

· The frog said “I have an idea, lets get a stick and you two ducks hold it in your mouths and fly”

· The frog went on “As you hold the stick and fly, I will hold onto the stick with my mouth.”

· Farmer Brown saw them all flying away and said “That was a great idea, who thought of it?”

· The frog opened his mouth and said “I did!” and he fell to the earth and went SPLAT!

· Pride will kill you.

James 4:6

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble

Pride is such a dangerous thing and it seems that we all have it.

The “rich” is proud of what he has while the “poor” is proud of the honor in having less.

The “talented” is proud of what he does while the one with “few talents” is proud of his hard work.

The “religious” is proud of his religion while the “unbeliever” is proud of his unbelief.

The “educated” is proud of his intelligence while the “simple man” is proud of his simplicity.

In verse 5b, the Babylonians were a people that “cannot be satisfied” with power or conquests.

The Babylonians are ambitious and the more they conquer, the more they want to conquer.

Like death, the Babylonians continue to devour more victims.

Proverbs 27:20

[20] Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied..

Remember, the fulfillment of this vision is appointed for a future time.

We know from history, this vision came 70 years after Judah is in Babylonian captivity.

In verse 6a, GOD gives a “taunting proverb” against Babylon. GOD will have Babylon to be mocked.

A prideful people will be disgraced and shamed.

Proverbs 1:26

[26] I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

GOD, in HIS “taunting proverb” against Babylon, pronounces 5 woes upon Babylon. A “woe” is a curse.

Habakkuk 2: [6] Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! [7] Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? [8] Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

A. Woe #1 Greed (6b-8)

GOD says “woe to him that increaseth that which is not his!”

GOD pronounces a “woe” upon Babylon for their greed.

“Greed” is a desire to have more than one needs or could ever use.

Babylon has a desire to increase that which is not theirs because they are never satisfied.

GOD says that Babylon lades himself with thick clay. Thick clay is the material riches of this world.

What good are material riches loaded in your ship that cause your ship to sink?

Thick clay also means their materialism lead them to take out more and more unnecessary credit.

Proverbs 13:11

[11] Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase

In verse 7, GOD says the destruction of Babylon will come “suddenly.”

All the riches and material possession of Babylon will one day belong to someone else.

Proverbs 29:1

[1] He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

In verse 8, GOD says because Babylon spoiled many nations therefore the people will spoil Babylon.

GOD will judge Babylon in the future for their cruel treatment of other nations.

GOD says the very nations that Babylon abused will one day rise up against them.

Habakkuk 2: [9] Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! [10] Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. [11] For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

B. Woe #2 Covetousness (9-11)

GOD says “woe to him that coveteth.” GOD pronounces a “woe” upon the covetous.

To covet is to desire to possess something that belongs to someone else.

GOD says the greedy and the covetous have a desire to “set his nest on high.”

The greedy are looking for security and safety while desiring more gains.

Have you ever seen the like of “self-storage” units to secure our stuff?

Babylon’s king, King Nebuchadnezzar, went to great lengths in an attempt to secure his empire.

The greedy thinks so much of self gain that he will loose his own soul.

Luke 12:16-21

[16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

In verse 10 GOD says “thou hast sinned against thy soul.”

The life of the greedy and covetous is forfeited by his selfish desire.

In verse 11, GODS says the stones and beams of the timber will cry out. Your house is crumbling!

These items were once the spoils of conquered nations and now cry out for vengeance.

Habakkuk 2: [12] Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! [13] Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

C. Woe #3 Violence (12-14)

GOD says “woe to him that buildeth a town with blood.”

GOD pronounces a “woe” to those who are violent.

The violent man thinks his might gives him the right.

The violent are driven by ambition, greed and covetousness and will abuse others for gain.

Unjust slavery is one example of this sin.

Babylon is a city built with blood. In fact they build other cities out of abuse and violence.

Rather than having laws to protect the innocent, their will is their law.

Many towns are built on laws that promote bloodshed.

I think of the sin of legalized abortion in our nation where we legalize murder.

All of the accomplishments by the might Babylon will be taken away in vanity.

In verse 14, GOD compares the Kingdom of Babylon with the Kingdom of GOD.

Babylon wanted to conquer the world, but will fail and fall.

Only the Glory of GOD will conquer the world. The violent will not prevail, peace will prevail.

Habakkuk 2: [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. [17] For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

D. Woe #4 Drunkenness (15-17)

GOD says “woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him.”

GOD pronounces a “woe” upon the drunkard and upon those who promote drinking.

Ephesians 5

[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

[18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Proverbs 20:1

[1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:29-35

[29] Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? [30] They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. [31] Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. [32] At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
[33] Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. [34] Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
[35] They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Isaiah 5:11

[11] Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

Joel 3:3

[3] And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

In our society alcohol is the drug of choice and the #1 killer amongst those 17-33 years of age.

Alcohol may make you feel good at the time, but there is a pleasure in sin for a season.

Alcohol and wine is the devils counterfeit for joy.

Alcohol and wine gives a false peace, a false personality and a false prowess.

GOD says drunkenness leads to nakedness and shame.

Noah got drunk and was naked.

Genesis 9:20-25

[20] And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: [21] And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. [22] And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. [23] And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. [24] And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. [25] And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

Lot got drunk and was naked.

Genesis 19:30-36

[30] And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.[31] And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: [32] Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. [33] And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. [34] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our Father. [35] And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. [36] Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

Belshazzar, King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson got drunk the very night Babylon fell to the Medes.

Daniel 5:

[1] Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. [2] Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

[5] In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

[25] And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. [26] This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. [27] TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. [28] PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. [30] In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

Habakkuk 2: [18] What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? [19] Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20] But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

E. Woe #5 Idolatry (18-20)

GOD pronounces a “woe” upon Babylon for their idolatry.

Babylon worshipped false gods and worshipped vain images.

Images that were crafted and made by men were lifted up as gods.

GOD says “there is no breath at all in the midst of them.”

Those false gods are lifeless and dead, BUT GOD is alive and well.

What does it say about the person who worships “a dumb idol”?

In verse 20, “the LORD is in His holy temple” and all the earth will keep silence before Him.

We need to learn to listen to the LORD.

Concl: Habakkuk could not understand why GOD would judge the sins of Judah by a nation even more sinful.

Yet GOD reminds Habakkuk of His own wisdom and strength and of HIS ultimate triumph over sin.

GOD knows Babylon is filled with the proud, the greedy, the covetous, the violent, the drunk and the idolater.

GOD has a plan and HE will judge Babylon in the long run and they will be destroyed.

BUT Judah will repent, will be released from captivity and live to see the promises of GOD fulfilled.