In chapter 1, Habakkuk could not understand how God could use the wicked Babylonians to accomplish His purposes. But he had to learn to wait patiently on the Lord and watch. This reminds us of Asaph in Psalm 73, who also did not understand the ways of God. He did not understand why good things happen to bad people, until he went into the house of the Lord and began to see things from God’s perspective (Ps. 73:16–17). For Habakkuk, this took place up on the watchtower. The Lord showed Habakkuk things from His perspective and gave him three tasks.

First, he was to write things down. Habakkuk had taken the role of the watchman and was to warn the people of danger. The revelation that Habakkuk received had an immediate application to the judgment of the Babylonians, but according to Hebrews 10:37, it also pointed to the future to our Lord’s return. The second task given to Habakkuk was to trust God’s word! The Lord gave him a contrast between those who trust themselves and those who live by faith. Declaring this judgment was the third responsibility given to Habakkuk.

What a contrast to those who trust themselves are those who live by faith! The verse, “the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4), is quoted three times in the New Testament (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). This reminds us that righteousness is found only in Christ, and that we should live by faith. The Lord set before Habakkuk the prospect of His glory in verse 14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” He also reminds the prophet of His government: “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him” (2:20). Our God is in control!

How good to be reminded of these three things in the day in which we live.