Habakkuk 2:2-5--The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith

Habakkuk 2:2-5
English Standard Version

The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith
2 And the LORD answered me:

“Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so he may run who reads it.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
    it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.

4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
    but the righteous shall live by his faith.

5 “Moreover, wine is a traitor,
    an arrogant man who is never at rest.
His greed is as wide as Sheol;
    like death he has never enough.
He gathers for himself all nations
    and collects as his own all peoples.”

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The LORD tells Habakkuk to write down a vision that would come true in the future, an appointed time.  Though it may seem slow to come (or like it may never come) the vision is sure to be fulfilled exactly as prophesied at the appointed time.  Why would there be men (supposedly men of the people of God) that would say and think such things?  Because they are proud and their hearts are wicked.  However, "The righteous will live by faith"--they will take God at His word and believe He is willing and able to do exactly what He said He would do in His perfect way and in His perfect time.

Some men would rather eat, drink and be merry than believe in the coming Day of the LORD.  Such a man lives as if there is no coming judgement (at least, that is what he hopes, because he knows he cannot defend his actions).  Such men are also greedy and never have enough.  They are like the bottomless pit of Sheol that always wants to be fed, but is never satisfied.  He will try to strengthen his position by getting others to join him in his foolishness and rebellion.  The LORD will not be impressed by many people falling victim to the same lie.  All men are personally responsible for the truth that they have been exposed to and how they respond to it.