Habakkuk 2
THE answer of God to His waiting servant, the prophet, is a solemn word regarding the course and the end of the Chaldean enemy who was to assail and carry off Judah. Like other prophetic utterances, it cannot be limited to the then prospective fulfilment; the northern enemy of Israel in the last days is also in view.
Habakkuk was directed to write the vision, engraving it upon tablets so that it might be readily understood, and that the reader should hasten to tell others what he learned. Prophecy has been given by God for the encouragement of His people in dark days.
Verse 3 is applied in a remarkable way in Hebrews 10, culminating in verse 37, the coming of Christ being set forth there as the Christian hope. The time of deliverance is fixed, though unknown to the believer, who is to wait for it, meanwhile having God’s assurance that “at the end it shall speak” or, more exactly, “it hasteth to the end, and shall not lie”; it will surely come and will not delay (or be behind hand). It is good to have these precious assurances from Himself that let us know He is not slack concerning His promise (2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)) What is directly in view in Habakkuk 2 is, however, the deliverance of Judah and Israel from the last of their enemies.
Verse 4 presents a contrast, setting down the character of man at a distance from God, on the one hand; and the subject, and divinely guided believer, on the other. What a contrast it is! He who is lifted, or puffed up, —his soul is not upright within him; such is God’s estimation. Might this be said of a believer? Pride is an early and late snare in the human soul.
“But the just shall live by his faith.” This word is so important that the Holy Spirit has caused it to be repeated, word for word, three times in the Epistles of Paul. It appears in Romans 1:17,17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17) where “the just” is emphasized; then we find it in Galatians 3:11,11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:11) where “by faith” is pressed, and lastly it occurs in Hebrews 10:38,38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38) where “shall live” is the point dwelt upon.
Faith is the gift of God, and an exceedingly precious gift it is. Through faith the believer apprehends the mind of God, discerns the character of the scene in which he lives, and is given direction as to his course through it. The reader will note that this brief statement, “The just shall live by his faith” sheds its bright rays of divine light over the whole of the chapter, whose subject thereafter is the Chaldean.
Verse 5 describes the great enemy’s character in a general way. Verse 6 speaks of the nations he conquers. Verse 14 interrupts the series of woes to forecast the day of glory on earth. Verses 18, 19 deal with idolatry, and the last verse turns to God as supreme.
ML 06/06/1937