This phrase is found in the last chapter of the remarkable prophecy made by Habakkuk and in the last verse. It is an appropriate expression of the ultimate triumph that the people of God shall experience since they serve a Sovereign God. There are two key verses (or series of verses) in Habakkuk that explicitly reflect the prophet’s dilemma and thanksgiving. Habakkuk 2:4 raises the question of how a man can be right before God. The answer is found in verse 4 – “the righteous shall live by faith.” This is, of course, simply a pointer to justification by faith as the sole means whereby any person is accepted before a holy and just God. This same verse is mentioned three times in the New Testament (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). The fact that any person can be said to be righteous is because of an imputed righteousness to him rather than an [Read more…]