Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

2:2 Write the vision. This word "vision" commonly refers to the prophetic message from God (see 1 Chron. 17:15; Prov. 29:18). This message was to be a permanent witness, since it would not be imminently fulfilled. The content may be the entire book of Habakkuk, or some shorter portion. so he may run who reads it. This may refer to a herald spreading the message throughout the nation, or more generally to anyone fleeing the coming judgment.

2:3 the vision awaits its appointed time. The fulfillment of the message may occur more slowly than expected, but God's timing will be perfect. wait for it. While the judgment coming upon Judah will begin quite soon (586 b.c.), the punishment of the Babylonians will not be fulfilled until 539.

2:4 his soul. The singular form refers to the Babylonian nation as a whole, but with a primary reference to the king. A proud person relies on himself, whereas a righteous person relies on God. While the phrase "his soul is puffed up" refers primarily to Babylon in this context, it could include anyone who is proud. It will take faith to wait patiently for God's plan to unfold, but the righteous believe that God will accomplish it. The phrase but the righteous shall live by his faith is quoted in the NT to emphasize that people are saved by grace through faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; cf. Eph. 2:8) and that Christians should live by faith (Heb. 10:38-39). The kind of faith that Habakkuk describes, and that the NT authors promote, is continuing trust in God and clinging to God's promises, even in the darkest days.

2:5 His greed is as wide as Sheol. Sometimes in the OT, Sheol is the place of the dead where everyone went, yet which never filled up (see Prov. 30:15-16).

2:6-20 The taunt against the Babylonians consists of five "woe oracles" that are divided into two parts (vv. 6-14 and vv. 15-20), both of which end with summary statements declaring the glory and greatness of God. These woe oracles (vv. 6, 9, 12, 15, 19) describe the reasons why Babylon deserves its coming punishment (cf. Isa. 5:8-23). Woe oracles are generally composed of two parts: declaration of the wrong, and pronouncement of impending judgment as a result.

2:6 all these. That is, all the nations that Babylon has destroyed (see Isa. 14:9-11). Woe. The Babylonians are condemned for their excessive greed in conquest. They have hoarded things that are not theirs. While pledges were allowed under the law as guarantee of repayment, humane treatment of people was still expected (see Ex. 22:26-27; Deut. 24:10-13).

2:7 debtors. The spoil and plunder that Babylon has taken from other nations is actually only on loan until a stronger nation comes to plunder Babylon.

2:8 blood of man. God will someday hold the Babylonians accountable for indiscriminate bloodshed (see 1:17; Gen. 9:6).

2:9 Woe. Babylon is condemned for relying on treasures and wealth for protection. evil gain. Amassing stolen goods was prohibited under the law (Ex. 20:13-17; Deut. 5:17-21). set his nest on high. Like the eagle that builds its nest in inaccessible spots, the Babylonians attempted to build a city that was inaccessible to their enemies (see Isa. 14:4-15; cf. Obad. 3-4). Herodotus says that Babylon had a huge wall with 100 bronze gates. It was wide enough for a four-horse chariot to run upon it (History 1.178-179).

2:10 forfeited your life. God will hold Babylon responsible for killing many people.

2:11 stone will cry out. The stones were plundered from other nations' buildings or purchased with plundered goods and would serve as a witness against Babylon.

2:12 Woe. Babylon is condemned for its violence and injustice.

2:13 Lord of hosts. Yahweh is the commander of the heavenly armies, all of which do his bidding; see note on Amos 3:13. peoples labor merely for fire. God controls man's destiny and will punish injustice; thus, Babylon's cities will ultimately be destroyed or given to others. Even the people of Judah were chastened for similar practices (Mic. 3:10).

2:14 The glory of the Lord is his special presence with his people, especially at the sanctuary. The glory "filled" the tabernacle and temple (Ex. 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:11); a number of texts look forward to a day when God's glory fills the whole earth (Num. 14:21; Ps. 72:19; Isa. 6:3 ESV footnote). Israel existed so that the nations might come to know the true God (Gen. 12:2-3; Ex. 19:5-6), and the prophets nurtured the hope that one day the light would indeed reach all the nations. (Christian interpreters dispute whether a prophecy such as this will be fulfilled before or after Christ's return.)

2:15 Woe. Babylon is chastened for violence to its neighbors. gaze at their nakedness. That is, to dishonor them (cf. Gen. 9:20-22).

2:16 shame. Babylon will experience the same shame and embarrassment that it inflicted on others (see note on v. 15). Cup is a symbol of divine retribution on Babylon (see Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15-17; Lam. 4:21; Rev. 14:10; 16:19).

2:17 violence done to Lebanon. Babylon used the famed cedars of Lebanon for its massive building projects (see Isa. 14:8). Nebuchadnezzar's royal annals indicate that he commanded his army to construct a road to bring these cedars to Babylon. The animal population may also have been decimated--Assyrian inscriptions record hunting expeditions in the Lebanese ranges, and the Babylonians probably indulged in the same practices.

2:18 idols. Carved images or likenesses of false gods were often condemned as worthless and lifeless objects unworthy of the faith placed in them (cf. Isa. 41:29; 44:9; Jer. 10:15). teacher of lies. This highlights the deceptive nature of worshiping idols (cf. Isa. 44:20).

2:19 Woe. The Babylonians are condemned for their idolatry. Idols were often ornate and covered with valuable metals to enhance their prestige.

2:20 But the Lord. There is a tremendous contrast between silent, inanimate idols and the awesome living God who sits enthroned in heaven and rules over the earth. He is the One who deserves the honor and reverence bestowed on worthless idols (see Isa. 41:1; Zeph. 1:7; Zech. 2:13). Silence is commanded so that everyone will consider God's awesome nature and realize his sovereignty over all creation (see Zeph. 1:7).