← Back to Habakkuk

Habakkuk 2

20 verses

TL;DR

Habakkuk 2 presents the prophet’s vision of God’s judgment and the call to trust in faith, warning against pride, idolatry, and injustice.

Summary

In this chapter, Habakkuk records a divine response to his questions. God instructs him to write the vision clearly so it can be read and understood by all. He reminds Habakkuk that the vision, though delayed, will ultimately be true and will not lie. The prophet warns of the dangers of pride, drunkenness, and the building of cities through violence, and he laments the unjust actions that lead to judgment. Habakkuk calls for reverence before God’s holy temple and declares that the earth will ultimately be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory. The chapter ends with an exhortation to remain silent before the Lord and a reminder that those who trust in earthly powers will ultimately be condemned.

Outline
  1. God’s instruction to document the vision
  2. Warnings against pride, idolatry, and injustice
  3. Conclusion: reverence and the spread of God’s glory
Themes
Judgment and justiceFaith versus prideRevelation and revelation
Keywords
visionfaithprideidolatryjusticejudgmentsilence
People
HabakkukLORD
Places
the earththe citythe templeLebanon
Things
visiontablesfaithwineparabolathick claybloodstonebeamtowncityfireknowledgedrunkennesscupmolten imageidolsgold and silversilence
Key Verses
  • Habakkuk 2:2: God’s directive to write the vision so it can be read and understood.
  • Habakkuk 2:4: Contrast between the prideful and the faithful; central to the chapter’s message.
  • Habakkuk 2:13: Prediction that God’s knowledge will fill the earth, illustrating ultimate divine glory.
Questions
  • What does Habakkuk mean by ‘write the vision’?
  • How does the passage distinguish between the ‘just’ and the ‘proud’?
  • In what ways does the text warn against idolatry and drunkenness?
  • What is the significance of the earth being filled with the knowledge of the Lord?
  • How does the chapter call for reverence before the holy temple?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter is largely admonitory, warning against pride, injustice, and idolatry, leading to a tone of judgment.