MAKE IT PLAIN

Habakkuk, a minor prophet, is not like other prophets who directly communicate God’s Word to the people. Instead, he engages in a form of dialogue with God, asking why injustice and violence seem to go unchecked. In Habakkuk 1, the prophet questions why God would allow the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to conquer Israel, despite their own wickedness. God’s response is that the wicked will be judged, but Habakkuk is still left wondering about the timing and the details of God’s plan. In Habakkuk 2:1, the prophet waits for God’s answer, and in verse 2, God provides the response: “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.’” (Habakkuk 2:2).

The first command God gives Habakkuk is to “write the vision.” Writing down the vision serves several purposes: (1) Writing down the vision ensures that the message is clearly recorded for future generations. It is a way to preserve God’s promises and keep them intact, even in the face of confusion and hardship. Habakkuk’s vision was not just for him but for the people who would come after him. (2) By instructing Habakkuk to write the vision, God holds both the prophet and the people accountable to remember His promises. The written Word would act as a reminder that God’s plan is unfolding, even if it is not immediately apparent. (3) The written vision serves as an authoritative proclamation of God’s will. In a time of uncertainty and injustice, having a written declaration gives people something solid to hold on to. The phrase “make it plain” emphasizes that the message should be easy to understand and accessible. God wants His vision to be clear and straightforward, so that there is no confusion about His intentions or promises. This clarity is essential for the people who will read the vision and, in turn, act upon it. The call for clarity also highlights the importance of prophetic communication. God’s Word is not meant to be shrouded in mystery but to be understood by those who seek it (Ezra 7:10; 2 Timothy 2:15). The vision is not cryptic; it is meant to be received with clarity and acted upon. The phrase “that he may run who reads it” introduces a sense of urgency and action. Those who read the vision are expected to “run” with it, indicating that the message is not simply for contemplation but for action. The readers are meant to respond to the vision, to act in accordance with God’s Word, and to live with the awareness that God’s promises are certain and will come to pass. The “running” could also be a metaphor for spreading the message quickly. Once the vision is received and understood, it is to be communicated to others, encouraging people to act in faith and anticipation.

Habakkuk 2:2 is not just a message for the ancient Israelites; it also speaks to modern readers. The command to “write the vision” and make it plain can be applied to the Christian life today. The Bible contains God’s vision, or His will, for humanity (His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ) and it is written down clearly for all to read (Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11). The Christian is called not only to understand God’s Word (Ephesians 3:1-7) but to live it out (James 1:21-25), spreading the message of hope and salvation to others (Matthew 28:19-20). Moreover, as Habakkuk 2:4 concludes with the famous declaration, “The just shall live by his faith,” this passage invites Christians to trust in God’s promises even when they are not immediately visible. Just as Habakkuk had to wait for God’s judgment and deliverance, Christians are called to live by faith, trusting that God’s plan is unfolding according to His perfect will (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12).

Tobias Hatchett