Habakkuk 2
Lutheran reading notes
In Habakkuk chapter 2, the prophetic message develops the theme of faith amid injustice and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often highlights the contrast between divine judgment against sin and the promise of grace that God provides for those who trust in Him.
1
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. {tower: Heb. fenced place} {unto me: or, in me} {when...: or, when I am argued with: Heb. upon my reproof, or, arguing}
Habakkuk 2:1 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make {it} plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3
For the vision {is} yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Behold, his soul {which} is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, {he is} a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and {is} as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: {Yea...: or, How much more}
Habakkuk 2:5 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth {that which is} not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! {Woe...: or, Ho, he}
Habakkuk 2:6 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
Habakkuk 2:7 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and {for} the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. {blood: Heb. bloods}
Habakkuk 2:8 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! {coveteth...: or, gaineth and evil gain} {power...: Heb. palm of the hand}
Habakkuk 2:9 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned {against} thy soul.
Habakkuk 2:10 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. {beam: or, piece, or, fastening} {answer it: or, witness against it}
Habakkuk 2:11 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! {blood: Heb. bloods}
Habakkuk 2:12 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Behold, {is it} not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? {for...: or, in vain?}
Habakkuk 2:13 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. {with...: or, by knowing the glory}
Habakkuk 2:14 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to {him}, and makest {him} drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
Habakkuk 2:15 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing {shall be} on thy glory. {with...: or, more with shame than with glory}
Habakkuk 2:16 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, {which} made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
Habakkuk 2:17 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? {maker of...: Heb. fashioner of his fashion}
Habakkuk 2:18 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it {is} laid over with gold and silver, and {there is} no breath at all in the midst of it.
Habakkuk 2:19 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
But the LORD {is} in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. {let...: Heb. be silent all the earth before him}
Habakkuk 2:20 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.