Habakkuk 2:2-4

Doing it God’s Way

Habakkuk 2:2–4 NLT

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 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. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

Habakkuk 2:2-4

Just a recap of chapter 1 we talked about Habakkuk a prophet of God, a questioning prophet. He was questioning God because of all the evil in his nation, Judah. He was crying out to God asking for Revival, for God to speak to His people, that He would heal them, revive their souls and bring them back to Him. God was silent for a while but then He answered.

God answered but it was not the answer that Habakkuk wanted or expected. God said he would raise up a group of people a nation and they would be His instrument of judgement upon His own people.

This reply from God caused Habakkuk to ask another question as he cannot wrap his head around the answer that God had given. God was going to use a very wicked nation to bring judgement upon Judah. Habakkuk begins to question himself, questioning if he heard God correctly, if he really knew God, he was confused. He did the only thing we can do, pray, cried out to God, went to his watchtower to wait.

We are picking up in verse 2.

We see he is verse 2 that the Lord tells Habakkuk to write the vision, clearly. Lets look at it in another translation: The Lexham English Septuagint

Habakkuk 2:2 NLT

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

Habakkuk 2:2 NLT

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

Patience

Habakkuk 2:2 NLT

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

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.

LES

Habakkuk 2:2 NLT

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

And the Lord answered me and said, “Write a vision, and clearly onto a tablet, in order that the one who reads might pursue the things.

We are not to try and complicate or water down the Gospel message, we are to speak it plainly, live it out for all to see. We are to speak in a way as to where men, women, and children can understand. We are to make the Gospel message known!

We, Christians are suppose to read the Word of God and live out what we read, and display it for others to see, to learn, to bear witness.

Although these things had not happened yet, but a vision for things to come, Habakkuk was to write them, plainly for others to see, hear, read and to act on them.

Just as Jesus said he would come again, we are to read the Word of God, live it out for others to see and wait patiently on Him to return as He promised.

Look at verse 3

Habakkuk 2:3 NLT

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.

This vision is for a future time, things that have not happened yet. Be patient he tells Habakkuk. If He is telling Habakkuk to be patient, and encouraging hum to be patient, how much more do you think God is telling us to be patient. We live in a world where we can order our groceries on our phones, and have them delivered to our house, we can either drive to the grocery store and they will bring out groceries to us.

We can drive our car to a restaurant and order our food, and we get all upset for having to wait in line. We live in a fast food society, mentality. We want things now. We order from Amazon and now you can get it in many cities the same day. Many do not know of patience. We want things now, in our time!

But here God is telling Habakkuk to wait patiently.

You see the world does not know patience, but is only revealed through the Holy Spirit as He gives us this fruit.

Galatians 5:22–23 NLT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

We are to make the Word of God known to the world by living out the Word. When we wait on the Lord, because we are on our knees praying, fasting, seeking Him, His ways the Spirit of God gifts us these attributes and we can flesh them out, live them out to bring Glory to the Lord, to magnify His name, to make Him famous, known to all around us, not building up pride within ourselves, or giving ourselves a big head, but humbly glorifying the Lord, Jesus the Christ. The Messiah.

Now we look at verse 4

Habakkuk 2:4 NLT

“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

The babylonians are the proud with the people of God, the ones who trust in the Lord are the righteous.

“Although the writings of Habakkuk and the Protestant Reformation are separated by about 2000 years, they are vitally connected by the Word of God. The prophet writes: “The just shall live by his faith.” 2000 years later a German Monk named Martin Luther was desperately trying (but failing) to find acceptance with God through doing good works. One day he read where Paul quotes Habakkuk: “As it is written, the just shall live by faith.’ Reading that set Martin Luther free from the crushing burden of works righteousness and sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Aren’t you glad that Salvation is not attained through works. If we had to work for our Salvation we would never be able to do enough good.

I like what a Jewish Rabbi said in the third century: 'Moses gave us 365 prohibitions, 248 positive commandments. David, in , reduced them to 11. Isaiah in chapter 33, verses 14 and 15 made them 6. Micah, in chapter 6 and verse 8, binds them to 3. But Habakkuk, by the Holy Ghost of God, brings them to 1: the just shall live by faith'.

Whatever's in your life - whether it's sin, sadness or sorrow - faith in God is the only answer.