Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.
I will stand
The phrase "I will stand" indicates a deliberate and resolute action. In Hebrew, the word used here is "עָמַד" (amad), which conveys the idea of standing firm or taking a position. This reflects Habakkuk's determination to remain steadfast in his faith and attentive to God's message. It suggests a posture of readiness and expectation, emphasizing the prophet's commitment to seeking divine guidance.

at my guard post
The "guard post" symbolizes a place of vigilance and watchfulness. In ancient times, a guard post was a strategic location for observing and protecting against potential threats. Spiritually, this implies a position of spiritual alertness, where one is attentive to God's voice and prepared to receive His revelation. It underscores the importance of being spiritually vigilant in a world filled with distractions.

and station myself
To "station myself" suggests a purposeful positioning. The Hebrew root "יָצַב" (yatsab) means to set oneself firmly in place. This reflects Habakkuk's intentionality in seeking God's presence and wisdom. It is a call for believers to intentionally position themselves in places where they can hear from God, whether through prayer, meditation, or studying Scripture.

on the ramparts
"Ramparts" refer to the defensive walls or fortifications of a city. In a spiritual sense, this represents a place of heightened perspective and protection. By positioning himself on the ramparts, Habakkuk seeks a clearer view of God's plans and purposes. It encourages believers to rise above their circumstances and seek God's higher perspective in times of uncertainty.

I will watch
The act of watching implies active anticipation and alertness. The Hebrew word "צָפָה" (tsaphah) means to look out or keep watch. This conveys a sense of expectation and readiness to receive God's message. It challenges believers to maintain a posture of spiritual alertness, always ready to discern God's voice amidst the noise of the world.

to see what He will say to me
This phrase highlights the expectation of divine communication. It underscores the belief that God speaks to His people and that His guidance is available to those who seek it. The emphasis on "to see" suggests that God's messages can be perceived and understood, encouraging believers to be attentive to the ways God communicates, whether through Scripture, prayer, or circumstances.

and how I should answer
The phrase "how I should answer" reflects a readiness to respond to God's revelation. It implies a dialogue between the prophet and God, where listening is followed by a thoughtful response. This encourages believers to not only seek God's guidance but also to be prepared to act upon it, aligning their lives with His will.

when corrected
The word "corrected" indicates a willingness to receive divine discipline or instruction. In Hebrew, the root "תוֹכַחַת" (tokhachath) refers to reproof or correction. This reflects a humble and teachable spirit, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our own. It serves as a reminder that correction is a part of spiritual growth and maturity, and that God's discipline is an expression of His love and desire for our well-being.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Habakkuk
A prophet in the Old Testament who dialogues with God about the justice and righteousness of His actions.

2. Guard Post
A metaphorical place where Habakkuk positions himself to wait for God's response, symbolizing vigilance and readiness.

3. Ramparts
Defensive walls or embankments, representing a place of watchfulness and anticipation.

4. God
The divine being whom Habakkuk is addressing, seeking answers and guidance.

5. Correction
The anticipated response from God, implying that Habakkuk is open to being corrected or instructed.
Teaching Points
Vigilance in Prayer
Like Habakkuk, we should adopt a posture of watchfulness in our prayer life, expecting God to speak and guide us.

Openness to Correction
We must be willing to receive correction from God, understanding that His guidance is for our growth and alignment with His will.

Positioning for Revelation
Just as Habakkuk stationed himself on the ramparts, we should position ourselves spiritually to receive God's revelations through His Word and Spirit.

Active Waiting
Waiting on God is not passive; it involves active engagement in prayer, study, and readiness to respond to His direction.

Faithful Watchmen
As believers, we are called to be watchmen in our communities, discerning God's voice and sharing His truth with others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we practically "stand at our guard post" in our daily lives to hear from God?

2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to receive correction from God, and why is this important?

3. How does the concept of being a watchman apply to our roles as Christians today?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are actively waiting on God's guidance?

5. How can we encourage others in our community to adopt a posture of vigilance and readiness to hear from God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 5:3
This verse emphasizes the importance of waiting expectantly for the Lord's response, similar to Habakkuk's stance of watchfulness.

Isaiah 21:8
Describes a watchman on the lookout, paralleling Habakkuk's role as one who is vigilant and attentive to God's message.

Proverbs 8:34
Highlights the blessing of listening and watching daily at wisdom's gates, akin to Habakkuk's anticipation of divine instruction.

Ezekiel 3:17
God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman, a role that involves listening to God's word and warning the people, similar to Habakkuk's prophetic duty.

Matthew 26:41
Jesus instructs His disciples to watch and pray, reflecting the spiritual vigilance that Habakkuk demonstrates.
Awaiting the Lord's MessageJ. C. Johnston, M. A.Habakkuk 2:1
Man's Moral Mission in the WorldHomilistHabakkuk 2:1
On Noting the Providences of GodRichard Harvey, M. A.Habakkuk 2:1
On the Watch-TowerHabakkuk 2:1
The Watch-TowerR. Morton.Habakkuk 2:1
WatchfulnessW. Horwood.Habakkuk 2:1
Watching for GodGeorge Hutcheson.Habakkuk 2:1
Man's Moral Mission to the WorldD. Thomas Habakkuk 2:1-3
People
Habakkuk
Places
Chaldea, Lebanon
Topics
Bulwark, Charge, Complaint, Forth, Guard, Myself, Placing, Position, Post, Protest, Rampart, Ramparts, Reply, Reproof, Reproved, Seat, Speak, Stand, Station, Tower, Watch
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Habakkuk 2:1

     5611   watchman
     5977   waiting

Library
September 15. "Though it Tarry, Wait for It, for it Will Surely Come, and Will not Tarry" (Hab. Ii. 3).
"Though it tarry, wait for it, for it will surely come, and will not tarry" (Hab. ii. 3). Some things have their cycle in an hour and some in a century; but His plans shall complete their cycle whether long or short. The tender annual which blossoms for a season and dies, and the Columbian aloe, which develops in a century, each is true to its normal principle. Many of us desire to pluck our fruit in June rather than wait until October, and so, of course, it is sour and immature; but God's purposes
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Crowned Christ Reigning
(Revelation, Chapters xx: 4-xxii.) "On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits." "A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot! Rose plot, Fringed pool, Ferned grot-- The veriest school Of peace; and yet the fool Contends that God is not-- Not God! in gardens! when the eve is cool? Nay, but I have a sign; 'Tis very sure God walks in mine." Day Is Coming. It's a long lane that has no turning. Every valley leads up a hillside to a hilltop. Every storm ends in sunshine
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Of Inward Silence
Of Inward Silence "The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before him" (Hab. ii. 20). Inward silence is absolutely indispensable, because the Word is essential and eternal, and necessarily requires dispositions in the soul in some degree correspondent to His nature, as a capacity for the reception of Himself. Hearing is a sense formed to receive sounds, and is rather passive than active, admitting, but not communicating sensation; and if we would hear, we must lend the ear
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Of Rest in the Presence of God --Its Fruits --Inward Silence --God Commands it --Outward Silence.
The soul, being brought to this place, needs no other preparation than that of repose: for the presence of God during the day, which is the great result of prayer, or rather prayer itself, begins to be intuitive and almost continual. The soul is conscious of a deep inward happiness, and feels that God is in it more truly than it is in itself. It has only one thing to do in order to find God, which is to retire within itself. As soon as the eyes are closed, it finds itself in prayer. It is astonished
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

A Sermon on a Text not Found in the Bible.
MR. JUSTICE GROVES.--"Men go into the Public-house respectable, and come out felons." My text, as you see, my dear readers, is not taken from the Bible. It does not, however, contradict the Scriptures, but is in harmony with some, such as "WOE UNTO HIM THAT GIVETH HIS NEIGHBOUR DRINK." Habakkuk ii. 15; "WOE UNTO THEM THAT RISE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, THAT THEY MAY FOLLOW STRONG DRINK."--Isaiah v. 11. "TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES LEST AT ANY TIME YOUR HEARTS BE OVERCHARGED WITH SURFEITING AND
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

The Season of Epiphany.
"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him."--John ii. 11. The Epiphany is a season especially set apart for adoring the glory of Christ. The word may be taken to mean the manifestation of His glory, and leads us to the contemplation of Him as a King upon His throne in the midst of His court, with His servants around Him, and His guards in attendance. At Christmas we commemorate His grace; and in Lent His temptation;
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Sum and Substance of all Theology
Note: On Tuesday, June 25th, 1861, the beloved C. H. Spurgeon visited Swansea. The day was wet, so the services could not be held in the open-air; and, as no building in the town was large enough to hold the vast concourses of people who had come from all parts to hear the renowned preacher, he consented to deliver two discourses in the morning; first at Bethesda, and then at Trinity Chapel. At each place he preached for an hour and a quarter. The weather cleared up during the day; so, in the evening,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

Habakkuk-On his Watch-Tower
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. i. "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower."--Hab. ii. i. HABAKKUK'S tower was not built of stone and lime. Hiram's Tyrian workmen, with all their skill in hewn stone, and in timber, and in iron, and in brass, had no hand in building Habakkuk's tower. "The Name of the Lord" was Habakkuk's high tower. The truth and the faithfulness and the power of God--these things were the deep and broad foundations of Habakkuk's high tower, into which he continually
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the Law of Our God, Ye People of Gomorrah,"
Isaiah i. 10, 11, &c.--"Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah," &c. It is strange to think what mercy is mixed with the most wrath like strokes and threatenings. There is no prophet whose office and commission is only for judgment, nay, to speak the truth, it is mercy that premises threatenings. The entering of the law, both in the commands and curses, is to make sin abound, that grace may superabound, so that both rods and threatenings
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Letter vi (Circa A. D. 1127) to the Same
To the Same He protests against the reputation for holiness which is attributed to him, and promises to communicate the treatises which he has written. I. Even if I should give myself to you entirely that would be too little a thing still in my eyes, to have recompensed towards you even the half of the kindly feeling which you express towards my humility. I congratulate myself, indeed, on the honour which you have done me; but my joy, I confess, is tempered by the thought that it is not anything
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Faith
What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for our sin? Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. I begin with the first, faith in Jesus Christ. Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.' Rom 3: 25. The great privilege in the text is, to have Christ for a propitiation; which is not only to free us from God's wrath, but to
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Habakkuk
The precise interpretation of the book of Habakkuk presents unusual difficulties; but, brief and difficult as it is, it is clear that Habakkuk was a great prophet, of earnest, candid soul, and he has left us one of the noblest and most penetrating words in the history of religion, ii. 4b. The prophecy may be placed about the year 600 B.C. The Assyrian empire had fallen, and by the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C., Babylonian supremacy was practically established over Western Asia. Josiah's reformation,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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