Habakkuk 2:6-20

 ““But all these nations will someday taunt him and ridicule him with proverbial sayings: ‘The one who accumulates what does not belong to him is as good as dead (How long will this go on?) – he who gets rich by extortion!’ Your creditors will suddenly attack; those who terrify you will spring into action, and they will rob you. Because you robbed many countries, all who are left among the nations will rob you. You have shed human blood and committed violent acts against lands, cities, and those who live in them. The one who builds his house by unjust gain is as good as dead. He does this so he can build his nest way up high and escape the clutches of disaster. Your schemes will bring shame to your house. Because you destroyed many nations, you will self-destruct. For the stones in the walls will cry out, and the wooden rafters will answer back. The one who builds a city by bloodshed is as good as dead – he who starts a town by unjust deeds. Be sure of this! The Lord who commands armies has decreed: The nations’ efforts will go up in smoke; their exhausting work will be for nothing. For recognition of the Lord’s sovereign majesty will fill the earth just as the waters fill up the sea. “You who force your neighbor to drink wine are as good as dead – you who make others intoxicated by forcing them to drink from the bowl of your furious anger, so you can look at their genitals. But you will become drunk with shame, not majesty. Now it is your turn to drink and expose your uncircumcised foreskin! The cup of wine in the Lord’s right hand is coming to you, and disgrace will replace your majestic glory! For you will pay in full for your violent acts against Lebanon; terrifying judgment will come upon you because of the way you destroyed the wild animals living there. You have shed human blood and committed violent acts against lands, cities, and those who live in them. What good is an idol? Why would a craftsman make it? What good is a metal image that gives misleading oracles? Why would its creator place his trust in it and make such mute, worthless things? The one who says to wood, ‘Wake up!’ is as good as dead – he who says to speechless stone, ‘Awake!’ Can it give reliable guidance? It is overlaid with gold and silver; it has no life’s breath inside it. But the Lord is in his majestic palace. The whole earth is speechless in his presence!””

— ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭20‬‬

Lengthy passage to get context for v. 14. Habakkuk is an interesting little book. Need to reread or watch a brief introduction to overall themes and purpose/historical context, but I believe Habakkuk is defending God’s justice. 

Overall question is How in the world can God be just when Babylon is going to attack Jerusalem? Do You even know those people? They’re awful.

The first half of chapter 2 says, Yes, God knows them, but Israel must be disciplined for their disobedience, per the covenant they made with YHWH. Those who are proud and haughty will be punished/oppressed, but those who go through this faithfully will be delivered.

The rest of the chapter says that exile is not the end of the story. God may use the Babylonians to fulfill His purposes, but He will ultimately humble them as well.

Those who use violence and torment for their own gain will be brought low. The verses of nakedness most likely refer to parading victims of war through streets without clothes. 

God would vindicate His people and cause Babylon to pay for her wickedness. God was/is not dead. Whether the Jews or the Babylonians—I’m not sure at first glance who was saying YHWH was powerless when Jerusalem fell.

But through Habakkuk, God confirms that He is no lifeless idol. No one can limit His power to a meaningless piece of wood or stone. And when He acts, as v. 14 would say, the whole world will take note. The last verse says the earth is speechless at His presence. He will act on behalf of His people when the time to return to the land came. 

He is a powerful and good God, even when it seemed like discipline and wrath surrounded them. He is just and He would make all things right. 

Some Old covenant truths here, but also need to understand their perspective vs. general truths. Definitely some timeless principles in here about sovereignty, power, faithfulness, and goodness.