Habakkuk 2:2 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Bible Comments

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Ver. 2. And the Lord answered me, and said] Wisdom he had sought of God, who giveth liberally, James 1:5; and wisdom is granted him without hitting him in the teeth with his bold expostulations and contestations about providence. Faithful prayer never miscarrieth, but is sure of an answer, either before, as the prodigal, see Isaiah 65:24, or in the act, as Daniel 10:12, "I am come for thy words," with an answer thereunto. Or soon after, as here. If it come not all out so soon as we would have it, know that there is water enough in the spring, but the pipes are stopped or broken.

Write the vision] That is, the following admonition; write it for the use of all posterity. Note this against those opinionists, that say that the word of God was not written by his command; or that it was written only for the use of the present ages, and of those particular Churches to whom it was directed or declared.

And make it plain upon tables] Boxen tables (as the Seventy render it), for on box, for the firmness of the matter, were the ancients wont to write.

That he may run that readeth it] That though he be no great clerk, or in never so great haste of business, yet he may read it, being written in great letters and very legible. See Deu 27:8 Isaiah 8:1; Isa 30:8 Galatians 6:11, "you see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand," the Greek signifieth with what good great text letters I have written (πηλικοις γραμμασιν). God hath written for us the great things of his law, Hosea 8:12, and with much perspicuity and plainness in things needful to be known: he hath written them, as it were, with the beams of the sun; that none may plead difficulty or obscurity; see Psalms 19:9; Psa 119:105 Pro 6:23 2 Peter 1:19. Of the Scripture it may be said et latet et lucet; both hidden and clear, the knowledge thereof doth even bow down to us as trees do that are laden with fruits, so that a child may gather them.

Habakkuk 2:2

2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.