Waiting and Trusting

Habakkuk 2:1-5

In Chapter 1, Habakkuk the prophet cries out to the Lord about the judgement pronouncements against the nation. Habakkuk was talking to God and asked Him how can His method for bringing justice be just when he was using wicked people like the Babylonians to judge Judah. God replied back to the prophet, and He states that the Babylonians who are being used for judgement will also be judged.

Habakkuk sees himself as a spokesmen between his fellow Israelites, and for the response of God. He does not hold himself accountable with his own complaint. Therefore, He waits on God to see what his respond will be.

Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint.”

The Prophet is willing to wait on God’s response, even when he did not like what he heard and saw.

Why is waiting on God important for you especially in times of despair? Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.” God will give you strength when you come to him weak. Having the proper attitude is essential when waiting.

Another important point in this verse is attitude.

I will means that he had an attitude to be patient and wait at his watchpost

Watch means being attentive to learn something. Point: You cannot teach anyone unless you allow the will of God to take over your life. Habakkuk is troubled in his heart but he patiently waits and watch for an answer from God about his complaint.

How much more could you learn from God if you were willing to wait and trust Him?

Habakkuk 2:2 “Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.”

Vision - Ha-zon in Hebrew means word of revelation

Two reasons that I would suggest the writer uses the verb run (KJV) or herald (NIV)

Write the letters so large and visible that someone running by could read without stopping

Make the message so clear that a messenger could run with it and tell the world.

Habakkuk 2:3 “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”

Vision was the message of what was to come. Though Habakkuk thought God should not use a wicked group of people to judge Israel, the vision of the Babylonian invasion would come true. (appointed time)

Though it linger, wait for it. This could mean that they would be impatient because of their unbelief.

Habakkuk 2:4 “Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.”

Finally God answers Habakkuk’s call. Would God leave the guilty in Judah and in Babylon - unpunished? Would the righteous be overtaken by the wicked.

The verse is referring to the Babylonians full of themselves and thinking they are important. However, they are empty clay vessels with no soul.

Righteous people are committed to live by faith because they have a desire to be obedient and they trust God will continue to be faithful to them. God cannot lie.

Point - in contrast, the one who is puffed up in pride and arrogance will die. And the righteous one who lives by faithfulness to God will live.

Habakkuk 2:5 “Moreover, wealth is treacherous; the arrogant do not endure. They open their throats wide as Sheol; like Death they never have enough. They gather all nations for themselves, and collect all peoples as their own.”

The Babylonians greed was more powerful as the appetite of death.

Wine refers to drunkeness. Causes a person thinking to be impaired (dizziness, hallucination)

The grave or unseen world is never full. Point: The Babylonians were motivated by conquest and conquering others.

Most people today believe there is a God in heaven but some doubt whether He can help them in their daily struggles. We must first stay encouraged, and then we must encourage others to exercises their faith each day. Why because when we exercise our faith we get stronger each day. Therefore when struggles come (and they are coming), you will have the strength to endure.

Conclusion:

When God’s ways appear unclear, trust that he preserves the faithful and judges all who are violent or unjust.

Heather Joy Zimmerman, The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching: A Guide from Genesis to Revelation, 2021, 370.