The Strand Study Bible

HABAKKUK 1:9

HABAKKUK 2:7

1415

and not spare continually to slay the nations? Habakkuk 2 God answers Habakkuk (again) - “Though I will use Babylon to chasten Judah, I will destroy Babylon in the end” 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 9 when I am reproved. 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 10 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 3 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. P 4 Behold, 11 his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but 12 the just shall 13 live by his faith. 5 Yea also, because 11 he transgresseth by 14 wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, 15 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: The promise of Babylon’s fall to Medo-Persia (Fulfilled - Dan 5:30,31 - 539 BC) 6 Shall not all these take up a parable against 16 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! P 7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, 16 and thou shalt be for booties unto them? P

shall come from far; 1 they shall fly as the 2 eagle that hasteth to eat. P 9 3 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. P 10 3 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. P 11 3 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his 4 god. P Habakkuk questions the LORD ( again ) - “How could God allow the wicked Babylonians to be used as His rod of chastisement” 12 Art thou not from everlasting, O 5 LORD my God, mine HOLY 6 O N E ? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O 7 mighty 8 God, thou hast established them for correction. 13 Thou art of purer eyes than to be- hold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? 14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? 15 They take up all of themwith the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. 16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. 17 Shall they therefore empty their net,

1. Jere 4:13 & Lam 4:19 2. Dan 7:4 3. Fulfilled- II Ki 25 (Fall of Judah) (See - Deut 28:64- 67) 4. or, “Marduk, the Babylon god of war” 5. Jn 20:28 6. Isa 47:4 & Hos 11:9 & Jn 17:11 Isa 49:7 & Psa 16:10 & Acts 2:27 & 4:27 & Mk 1:24 Isa 63:10-11 & Psa 51:11 & Eph 1:13 7. Isa 9:6 8. Heb. - “O ROCK” 9. or, “when I am argued with” 10. Quoted in the NT -Heb 10:37 11. that is, “the Chaldeans; the Babylonians” 12. Quoted in the NT - Rom 1:17 & Gal 3:11 & Heb 10:38 13. Ezk 18:9,13,19,21 14. Prov 20:1 & 23:29-35 15. Prov 27:20 & Isa 5:11-14 16. or, “Babylon” Fulfilled - Dan 5:30,31 (Fall of Babylon) (See - Jere 50:29 & 51:56)

1:10 Babylon’s military practice was to “ throw up earthen ramparts” ( heap dust ) in order to take fortresses. 1:12 The FATHER ( LORD ) is referred to here as the everlasting One (Eternal One - Gen 2:4 and Psa 90:2 ). Both the SON (Mic 5:2, Jn 12:34, I Tim 1:17, Heb 7:15-16) and the SPIRIT ( Heb 9:14b ) are eternal as well. 1:14 Like fishermen who will use every type of equipment conceivable to catch fish, the Babylonians would use every means possible to capture men ( And makest men as the fishes of the sea ). 2:3 We assume by this statement “ wait for it ” that Habakkuk witnessed the third and final invasion in 586 BC. 2:4a The just (those who are justified before God) live by faith. Thus, if you want to get to God, you’ve got to go through faith, for faith alone leads to God; Him saving you (Eph 2:8-9) and you serving Him (Jms 2:1-4). Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted three times in the NT: (1) Rom 1:17; (2) Gal 3:11; and (3) Heb 10:38. In each case the clause “ the just shall live by his faith ” anticipates the Gospel, which ultimately conquers the Devil, the world, and the flesh (I Jn 5:4-5). NOTE – There are two classes of people that are contrasted in this verse: (1) the haughty Babylonians ( Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him ) whom God will use to conquer His people; and (2) the just ones of Judah ( but the just shall live by his faith ) who will appear to be conquered by the haughty Babylonians, but in reality will be the conquerors because of their faith in the Gospel. Just because you die doesn’t mean you’re dead… or defeated (Rev 7:9-17, Eph 4:7-8 and Rom 8:35-37). 2:4b According to Hebrews 11:6, it is impossible to please God without having faith . Faith is simply placing God’s Word above our own and then obeying it (Mt 8:5-10,13). Unlike the Babylonians, who were proud, Habakkuk was reminding the people of God that they could still please God, in spite of their chaotic conditions, by concentrating on obeying the Word of God.