Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk 2:1-20 . THE PROPHET, WAITING EARNESTLY FOR AN ANSWER TO HIS COMPLAINTS (FIRST CHAPTER), RECEIVES A REVELATION, WHICH IS TO BE FULFILLED, NOT IMMEDIATELY, YET IN DUE TIME, AND IS THEREFORE TO BE WAITED FOR IN FAITH: THE CHALDEANS SHALL BE PUNISHED FOR THEIR CRUEL RAPACITY, NOR CAN THEIR FALSE GODS AVERT THE JUDGMENT OF JEHOVAH, THE ONLY TRUE GOD.

1. stand upon . . . watch--that is, watch-post. The prophets often compare themselves, awaiting the revelations of Jehovah with earnest patience, to watchmen on an eminence watching with intent eye all that comes within their view ( Isaiah 21:8 Isaiah 21:11 , Jeremiah 6:17 , Ezekiel 3:17 , Ezekiel 33:2 Ezekiel 33:3 ; compare Psalms 5:3 , 85:8 ). The "watch-post" is the withdrawal of the whole soul from earthly, and fixing it on heavenly, things. The accumulation of synonyms, "stand open . . . watch . . . set me upon . . . tower . . . watch to see" implies persevering fixity of attention.
what he will say unto me--in answer to my complaints ( Habakkuk 1:13 ). Literally, "in me," God speaking, not to the prophet's outward ear, but inwardly. When we have prayed to God, we must observe what answers God gives by His word, His Spirit, and His providences.
what I shall answer when I am reproved--what answer I am to make to the reproof which I anticipate from God on account of the liberty of my expostulation with Him. MAURER translates, "What I am to answer in respect to my complaint against Jehovah" ( Habakkuk 1:12-17 ).

2. Write the vision--which I am about to reveal to thee.
make it plain--( Deuteronomy 27:8 ). In large legible characters.
upon tables--boxwood tables covered with wax, on which national affairs were engraved with an iron pen, and then hung up in public, at the prophets own houses, or at the temple, that those who passed might read them. Compare Luke 1:63 , "writing table," that is, tablet.
that he may run that readeth it--commonly explained, "so intelligible as to be easily read by any one running past"; but then it would be, that he that runneth may read it. The true sense is, "so legible that whoever readeth it, may run to tell all whom he can the good news of the foe's coming doom, and Judah's deliverance." Compare Daniel 12:4 , "many shall run to and fro," namely, with the explanation of the prophecy, then unsealed; also, Revelation 22:17 , "let him that heareth (the good news) say (to every one within his reach), Come." "Run" is equivalent to announce the divine revelation ( Jeremiah 23:21 ); as everyone who becomes informed of a divine message is bound to run, that is, use all despatch to make it known to others [HENDERSON]. GROTIUS, LUDOVICUS DE DIEU, and MAURER interpret it: "Run" is not literal running, but "that he who reads it may run through it," that is, read it at once without difficulty.

3. for--assigning the cause why it ought to be committed to writing: because its fulfilment belongs to the future.
the vision is yet for an appointed time--( Daniel 10:14 , Daniel 11:27 Daniel 11:35 ). Though the time appointed by God for the fulfilment be yet future, it should be enough for your faith that God hath spoken it ( Lamentations 3:26 ).
at the end it shall speak--MAURER translates, "it pants for the end." But the antithesis between, "it shall speak," and "not be silent," makes English Version the better rendering. So the Hebrew is translated in Proverbs 12:17 . Literally, "breathe out words," "break forth as a blast."
though it tarry, wait for it--( Genesis 49:18 ).