Habakkuk 2
Habakkuk waits on his watchtower for God's answer. It comes: the vision awaits its appointed time — wait for it. The righteous shall live by faith — a verse that shapes Paul's entire theology. Five woes follow against the arrogant oppressor. The earth will be filled with knowledge of God's glory as waters cover the sea.
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.
Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.
He who is coming will come and will not delay
For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
Read Hebrews 10 ›Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
The righteous will live by faith
For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Read Romans 1 ›The righteous will live by faith — Paul in Galatians
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Read Galatians 3 ›My righteous one will live by faith
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
Read Hebrews 10 ›'The righteous will live by faith.' Habakkuk wrote it during national crisis. Paul made it the anthem of the gospel. Martin Luther built a reformation on it.
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Read Galatians 3 ›'The righteous will live by faith.' The thesis statement of Romans — everything Paul writes flows from this Habakkuk quote.
For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Read Romans 1 ›Third NT use of 'the righteous will live by faith' — Hebrews applies it to perseverance. Same truth, different angle: keep going.
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
Read Hebrews 10 ›and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.
Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’
Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken? Then you will become their prey.
Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster!
You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples and forfeiting your life.
For the stones will cry out from the wall, and the rafters will echo it from the woodwork.
Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity!
Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!
You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink and expose your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will cover your glory.
For your violence against Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of animals will terrify you, because of your bloodshed against men and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.
Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”
But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
Have a question about Habakkuk 2?
On Doxa, you can have a personal conversation about any scripture. Ask questions, explore context, and discover connections.
What does "faith" mean in Habakkuk 2?
How does Habakkuk 2 connect to the rest of the Bible?
Why is this chapter important for my life?
Real stories about these themes
Read testimonies from real people connected to what you're reading.
Explore Related Topics
Engage with Habakkuk 2 in a fresh way
On the Doxa App you can have a personal interaction about any Scripture. Ask questions and even debate.
