Habakkuk Chapter 2

• 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. 

Those that watch and pray taking heed to God's warning. They take heed to His word, His correction, His judgment and His comfort in order to share what they observe to those that will hear.

The Just Shall Live by His Faith

• 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. 

They didn't have printing presses back then or tablets that we know as tablets. We can take a pencil or pen and write upon tablets, but they had to write something that would last a long time. They used stone, wood, clay tablets, papyrus, parchment and there were a few other ways. They worked hard to carve every word. All who see what is written by those God inspires to write; are to read and understand then run with it.

How many times do we read something and it kind of goes in one ear and out the other. Other times we may read something and it sinks in. It awakens our inner spirit and we run with it. We literaly take it to heart and start doing something with what we hear.

• Habakkuk 2:3  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. 
• 4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. 

This passage about the just shall live by his faith is repeated in the New Testament. It is the one verse that caused Martin Luther to protest the church in his day for departing from scripture and adding commandments or religious worship that God did not ordain.

• Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

Faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. Believing in His death, burial and resurrection is what saves us from sin; not religious rituals, rules and regulations that God did not make or command.

• Galatians 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 

Studying the word of God diligently is important so that we do not add to God's word and His  commandments or take away from them. Take all things in context. The old covenant was abolished at the death and resurrection of Jesus and it was replaced by the new and living way which once we believe, we become born again by the Holy Spirit of God.

• Hebrews 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is the difference between eternal life or eternal hell. Not faith in faith but faith in Jesus as savior and Lord. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and we shall be saved. That will make us justified, righteous and saved. This is an old and new testament teaching.

• 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: 

When we read the book of Daniel we can see that the proud person spoken of here is probably   speaking of Nebuchadnezzar when he was lifted up in pride then went insane for 7 years. This also can describe a nation that has fallen. When the leaders become corrupt justice suffers, the innocent are harmed and the guilty go free.

Wine and strong drink dulls the senses and causes those that drink it to do things they normally would not do and act in a way that leads to evil and even death. In today's world if someone flies a plane or drives under the influence of strong alcoholic drinks they do much evil. A friend of mine and I visited a lady once that had to get away from her husband because he became drunk and nailed her shut in the bathroom. Sometimes it is so hard to control someone that has had too much to drink. Some believe it is okay to drink as long as one doesn't drink too much but if someone never takes even one drink, they will be assured never to become an alcoholic. A leader of a country ruled by strong drink will cause much evil.

The United States has a government set up with a president, congress and judicial system. If just one of these become corrupt, the nation is in peril. If there is no fair and unbiased judicial system, the nation is really in danger. It will fall eventually. Back then when the king becomes corrupt, the nation eventually falls quickly and is overthrown by another wicked nation that continues for a season.

The captivity of Judah to Babylon would end but they had no nation for 70 years, until the Medes and Persians took over. King Cyrus allowed them to return to their own land and rebuild their temple.

Woe to the Chaldeans

• 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! 

This concerns the empires, kings, nations, countries that increase that which is not their's to take. It is mostly concerning King Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans that robbed the kingdom of Judah. However, this verse can apply to anyone to robs people to increase wealth for themselves. We reap what we sow, what goes around comes around.

Over taxing people is one way a leader increases his wealth if he does it in a way that it increases his own wealth. This has happened throughout history and the day will come when they stand before God. Happy is a country or nation that has a leader that really cares about those he rules over especially the poor and the weak. God sees all these things. Oppressive leaders think they will rule forever and that they will get by with their wickedness but they will not. Nebuchadnezzar repented in the end but will those living today and robbing others of their hard earned wages, lands, farms, etc. ever repent and get right with God thereby doing what they can to make restitution for stealing from those by legislation or other means. Farmers are over taxed so that they have to sell out to wicked land grabbers.

• Habakkuk 2:7  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. 

Cyrus did just that when he conquered Babylon. Booties means spoils or war. What was done by Babylon to the kingdom of Judah will be done to them in return. Although God allowed Judah to be taken over by Babylon or the Chaldeans, He still will bring judgment upon the nation that did plunder Judah and Israel. This was foretold by the prophet Isaiah:

• Isaiah 44:28  That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. 

Many have tried to debunk the book of Isaiah because they do not believe Isaiah could have named the name of Cyrus and made this prophecy years before it came to pass. Many miss out on what we call faith in God or in Jesus Christ when they don't believe in His power to know the future or do miracles by using humans filled with the Holy Spirit to speak to His peple and do His will on the earth.

• Isaiah 45:1  Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 

This prophecy by Isaiah was 200 years before Cyrus made the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple that was previously destroyed years before. I say over and over. No one gets by with evil. They will stand before God one day. We all must make things right now by repenting and turning to God for forgiveness and restoration.

• 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! 

Wicked leaders only think of themselves and care not about those they rule over. Who lives or dies do not concern them at all.

• Proverbs 15:27  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 

Not only will the wicked be judged but it will cause those who do these things to harm his own children. They inherit the traits, tendencies and shame that their parents do before them unless somehow they miraculously find the Lord in their lifetime.

• Habakkuk 2:10  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. 
• 12  Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! 

I know of politicians and some very rich people who have armed guards, lots of riches and keep getting elected supposedly because they claim to help the poor and care for people, yet in the cities where they live there are people so poor they have to live on the streets. What people that vote do not get is that the wicked that get in politics and high positions want them to stay poor so they become dependent upon the government and do not every get out of the situation they are in. Not all rich people and politicians are like that but many are. I remember times when the government wanted to help people find jobs and homes to live in but it is sad when they only want votes to keep them in power.

This is written to those that conquer nations, increase in riches and care not for those that are suffering because of their neglect and like of compassion. Even the rocks and timber of their houses seem to speak and cry out.

• Habakkuk 2:13  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? 

All is for nothing because they will lose everything and it shall be burned in the fire.

• Habakkuk 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

This is our hope. When Jesus Christ reigns, all things will change. The whole earth will see the difference in having a righteous ruler and one that is wicked with no concern for those that suffer to make them richer.

• 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! 

That is an awful sin to do. All through the bible we see that our nakedness needs to be covered. We have forgotten that. Sometimes out of fear of being legalistic and out of fear of having just a religion instead of a one on one relationship with Jesus, we do not take much concern about how we dress in public. When we come to Jesus, He cleanses us from sin and brings in a new way, a new life being born again by the spirit of God. That part is great and wonderful. Jesus is the only way to be saved and inherit eternal life. Yet in saying that, some of us in these modern times forget that when the fall of man happened in the garden, God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve. I realize that was a sign of the salvation to come when Jesus died for our sins and those that believe are covered with His righteousness, but we still need to dress modestly and be careful not to expose ourselves in public.

Noah ended up cursing his grandson Canaan because of the time he (Noah) got drunk by drinking too much wine. He ended up naked. Ham saw him and went to his brothers for them to come and see. They refused to look upon their father and went backwards to cover him with a covering.

This is how serious it is to be modest. The priests in in the Old Testament were to be careful when climbing steps not to expose themselves. We have forgotten the need to be modest in these modern times. We don't have to be judgmental and cruel about it but make sure we do what is right ourselves as an example. Not with a holier than thou attitude but because we love God and love His holiness.

• Habakkuk 2:16  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. 

Evil leaders that shed innocent blood will be brought to justice.

• 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. 

The sin of idolatry and making images to bow down to worship has always puzzled me. How in the world can people be so deceived to think these images and do good or evil? They have to be so deceived by the enemy of our souls to think that a object covered with gold can deliver us from evil or cause prosperity. There are evil spirits that accompany idol worshipers in order for them to be deceived. To forsake the living God for these things is one of the biggest insults people have done but we have hope when Jesus returns and sets up a righteous kingdom; that will be so great. We who believe in Jesus probably will stand sometimes in silence and sometimes with loud praise before Him with thanksgiving, awe, respect and much more. It will be a time that we've never seen before. Blessed be the name of the Lord. He (Jesus) will return just as He said He would. DC

• Revelation 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 
• 6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 
• 7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 
• 8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Habakkuk Chapter 3