Stand at the guard post (v 1)

Habakkuk maintained a close relationship with God. He expressed to God exactly what he questioned. Habakkuk’s question was why God would use the Chaldeans (Babylonia), who were even more sinful, to judge Judah. God did not rebuke Habakkuk but answered his question. Habakkuk waited earnestly for God’s answer. As it says, “I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the watchtower; and I will keep watch to see what He will say to me, and how I may reply when I am reprimanded.” (1) The “guard post” is not a watch post on the city wall but a watchtower standing in the middle of a field. In the Middle East, when the harvest season comes, farmers stand in such towers and keep watch to see whether thieves will come. That custom still remains today. (2) Habakkuk waits with the expectation that an answer from God will come. This attitude is something all believers should learn. Do we have the desire and expectation to hear God’s voice?

The answer from the Lord (v 2-3)

An answer came from the Lord. “Write down the vision and inscribe it clearly on tablets, so that one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay long.” (1) The answer from the Lord came in the form of a vision. The content of that vision is recorded in verses 4-20. (2) Habakkuk was commanded to write the content on tablets. By clearly recording God’s revelation in writing, its message would be conveyed not only to the people of that generation but also to those of later generations. (3) Those who read what was written would quickly go and tell their neighbors the message one after another. The scene is like that of a messenger running swiftly. (4) Even if it appears delayed in human eyes, God’s plan will surely be fulfilled when His time comes. At the “appointed time,” God intervenes in history, judges the evil on the earth, and establishes His will. God’s word will certainly be accomplished. (5) Therefore, those who believe in God’s promises must exercise patience and wait for God’s time. Habakkuk 2:3 is quoted in Hebrews 10:37-38. The question, “Why does God not immediately fulfill His promises?” is one that believers in every age have had. We also ask such a question when we face trials. What is important is to know who God is and to reaffirm that there is no one like our God. Let us now receive God’s word: “It will certainly come, it will not delay long.”