Habakkuk 2:1 I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint.
The Lord’s Second Reply
2 Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.
3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
4 “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.
5 Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.
Woe to the Chaldeans
6 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?’ 7 Will not your creditors suddenly arise and those who disturb you awaken? Then you will become their prey. 8 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.\
This is fascinating! First, God assures Habakkuk that he has heard God correctly; however, these visions aren’t going to be fulfilled instantly. This concept is so important that God orders Habakkuk to write these words on clay tablets so runners can carry the correct message throughout the Middle East. God wants to make sure that the prophecies don’t get distorted or twisted in the process. Next, God through Habakkuk is speaking of ravaging and conquering armies as if they become debtors to every nation they destroy and pillage. “Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest.” This warning echoes down the ages, remaining for individuals, companies, and nations. These days, companies are taking over prime farm land in America, diverting it for data centers and solar farms. But what will be left? No amount of money can compensate for the loss of that land and the degradation of the environment.
9 Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster! 10 You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples and forfeiting your life. 11 For the stones will cry out from the wall, and the rafters will echo it from the woodwork. 12 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity!
Actions have consequences and land, streets, and buildings remember evil. We have lived in Memphis, Tennessee, Charleston, South Carolina, and New Orleans, Louisiana, cities in the American South that were once centers for the slave trade. There are parts of each of those cities that feel incredibly evil and cold, like the cold of the grave. The spiritual atmosphere can change from one street to the next. Evil doesn’t die but must be driven out by spiritual warfare. Spiritually sensitive people coming to our church just outside Memphis used to claim that they would see a big dark cloud over the Memphis area when they were approaching it.
13 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? 14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
15 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! 16 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.
17 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.
Violence begets more violence, and Assyria and Babylon will eventually pay for ravaging both Israelite kingdoms. The shedding of innocent blood brings curses on those who shed it.
18 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. 19 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.” 20 But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
The One True Living God will not tolerate rivals. Idols cannot accomplish anything, and the demons encouraging idol worship will eventually destroy those who worship them.
The key lesson for us is found in verse 3. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. We want instant results, but God works on His schedule, not ours. Wait for the Lord, and while you are waiting, remember the assurance given in verse 14. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. God is still in His holy temple. Let us all be silent before Him.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to wait patiently for You, knowing that You will bring perfect solutions. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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