Habakkuk 2:1-4 The Just shall live by faith

Faith alone pleases the Father.

Our true identity is hidden in fallen man and only shines forth when we turn from the flesh and live in the Spirit. We were created by God and Jesus allows us to return to His original plan for us.

Salvation through Jesus allows Holy Spirit to dwell within sinful man.

Throughout the Old and New Testaments faith binds everything together. Abrahams’s faith was counted to him as righteousness. And today that same faith holds us together as the Body of Christ. Faith allows us to patiently wait for God’s timing…it is always perfect.

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

“Simply accept the fact that (in Christ) you are accepted."
When that happens to us, our tender hearts come alive from grace. Sabbath Moments 

Habakkuk 2:1-4

2 I will stand my watch 

And set myself on the rampart, 

And watch to see what He will say to me,

 And what I will answer when I am corrected. 

The Just Live by Faith 

2 Then the Lord answered me and said: 

“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, 

That he may run who reads it. 

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; 

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. 

Though it tarries, wait for it;

 Because it will surely come,

 It will not tarry. 4 “Behold the proud, 

His soul is not upright in him; 

But the just shall live by his faith.

The New King James Version

Watchmen were stationed at the highest part of a city wall to warn of impending danger. As watchmen, prophets were to communicate the divine message to the people. “My complaint” is the Hebrew term which can be used in the sense of argument or rebuke. 

The vision might be a reference to the revelation concerning the imminent Chaldean invasion. It is also possible the vision consists of an appeal for patient endurance marked by faithfulness. A final possibility is the revelation of Yahweh’s appearance. 

Clay tablets would have been placed in public gathering spots. It might be read quickly is a reference generally to the inhabitants of Judah, who would flee after reading the announcement of the coming invasion. Otherwise, it may more specifically refer to messengers spreading the news. 

The fulfillment of the vision is constantly drawing closer. The fulfillment of the prophecy of Habakkuk would take at least 20 years, depending on the date of Habakkuk’s ministry. During this wait, many scoffers would arise, questioning the authenticity of the prophet’s vision.

Yahweh’s encouragement is to wait in patience and faith. 

The soul of the haughty Babylonians is not right in God’s eyes. They will soon experience divine judgment. 

Righteous people are commanded to live by faith; they must practice obedience and trust that Yahweh will remain faithful to His covenantal promises. Faithlife Study Bible

Habakkuk stationed himself as a watchman to look at the nations, as God had commanded him. The prophet also waited expectantly for God’s response to his three charges. 

Habakkuk’s faith is seen in his anticipation of a response from God. When I am corrected indicates the prophet’s submission to God. 

The command to write the revelation is unusual. Generally prophets spoke the word of the Lord first. The term vision here is related to the verb translated “saw” in 1:1. The noun speaks of a prophetic revelation. 

Messengers would proclaim the divine oracle. 

An appointed time speaks of a determined time in God’s eyes. Though it tarries, wait for it.  God knows His plan and the outworking of all things in accordance with His purposes. 

The godly are responsible to study and proclaim His revelation while awaiting its fulfillment. The assurance of fulfillment lies in God Himself. The fulfillment of the vision would not take any longer than God had planned. 

The proud refers to the Babylonians, who exalted themselves and boasted of their conquests and power. The Babylonians had no regard for God, His commandments, or His people.

True righteousness before God is linked to genuine faith in God. A proud person relies on self, power, position, and accomplishment; a righteous person relies on the Lord. The NKJV Study Bible

Hebrews 10:38 

Now the just shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him.”