Read & explore together
The LORD Answers Again
Habakkuk 2:1–5 shows the prophet waiting for God’s reply, then receiving a message that must be written clearly. The passage contrasts proud self-reliance with the steady life of the righteous person who lives by faith.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Habakkuk has already brought a complaint and now waits for God’s answer. Yahweh responds with a vision that is to be written plainly, speaks about its appointed time, and contrasts the puffed-up person with the righteous person who lives by faith.
Habakkuk 2:1–5Main takeaway
God tells Habakkuk to wait confidently for his appointed word, while showing that pride is not upright and the righteous live by faith.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Habakkuk waits for God’s replyHabakkuk says he will stand at his watch and set himself on the ramparts to look out for what God will say.
Explanation
Habakkuk says he will stand at his watch and set himself on the ramparts to look out for what God will say. He is alert and ready. He also expects that he will need to answer concerning his complaint, so this is a deliberate time of watching and listening.
02The vision must be written clearlyYahweh answers by telling Habakkuk to write the vision and make it plain on tablets. The message is meant to be clear enough for a runner to read.
Explanation
Yahweh answers by telling Habakkuk to write the vision and make it plain on tablets. The message is meant to be clear enough for a runner to read. This highlights that God’s word is not to stay hidden or confused, but to be recorded plainly.
03The vision has an appointed timeGod says the vision is for the appointed time and moves toward the end without proving false.
Explanation
God says the vision is for the appointed time and moves toward the end without proving false. If it seems slow, Habakkuk is told to wait for it. The passage holds two ideas together: it may take time, yet it will surely come and will not fail.
04Two ways are contrastedVerse 4 draws a sharp contrast. The puffed-up person is not upright in soul, but the righteous will live by faith.
Explanation
Verse 4 draws a sharp contrast. The puffed-up person is not upright in soul, but the righteous will live by faith. In this passage, faith stands opposite pride. One life is bent out of shape by self-exaltation, while the other is marked by trustful, faithful living before God.
05Arrogance is never satisfiedThe arrogant man is described as treacherous, restless, and unable to stay at home. His desire is enlarged like Sheol, and like death he cannot be satisfied.
Explanation
The arrogant man is described as treacherous, restless, and unable to stay at home. His desire is enlarged like Sheol, and like death he cannot be satisfied. He gathers nations and peoples to himself, showing pride that keeps grasping and never reaches contentment.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Habakkuk do before receiving God’s answer?
Notice the posture of waiting, watching, and expecting to hear what God will say about his complaint.
02What does God say about the timing of the vision?
Look for the phrases about the appointed time, waiting, and the certainty that the vision will come and not prove false.
03How does the passage contrast the righteous person with the arrogant person?
Compare the upright life of faith with the puffed-up soul and the unsatisfied desire of the arrogant man.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Habakkuk 2:1–5
1I will stand at my watch and set myself on the ramparts, and will look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
2Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it.
3For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it, because it will surely come. It won’t delay.
4Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.
5Yes, moreover, wine is treacherous: an arrogant man who doesn’t stay at home, who enlarges his desire as Sheol; he is like death and can’t be satisfied, but gathers to himself all nations and heaps to himself all peoples.