1. The lord is in his holy temple let all the earth keep silence before him
Habakkuk 2:20

2. Background
The book is about God’s use of Babylon to judge Judah, Babylon’s own judgment, and Habakkuk’s understanding of it all
The structure of each chapter is a negative message followed by a positive message

3. Background
1:2-17 followed by 2:1-4
2:5-19 followed by 2:20
3:1-17 followed by 3:18-19

4. Background
2:5-19 is a series of five “woes” on Babylon for their ungodly behavior
2:20 is like a postscript: a contrast (note the “But”) between false idols and the one, true God

5. Habakkuk 2:20
“But Jehovah is” – helpless dead idols are contrasted with a holy living Lord (Jer. 10:6-10)

6. Habakkuk 2:20
“In his holy temple” – heaven, the place of God’s rule, power, and authority from his throne (Psa. 11:4; Jon. 2:4,7; Mic. 1:2)

7. Habakkuk 2:20
“Let all the earth” – all persons are under God’s control and authority (Psa. 33:8; 47:2, 7; 83:18; 105:7)
“Keep silence” – (Heb. hăs = hush!) hold your peace (Zeph. 1:7; Zech. 2:13; Eccl. 3)

8. Keep silence before him
The silence of contemplation/preparation (Psa. 4:4; 46:10)
The silence of discernment and learning (Jas. 1:19; Prov. 3:5; Isa. 55:8-9; Jer. 10:23)

9. Keep silence before him
The silence of humility (Psa. 46:10)
The silence of reverence/awe/adoration (Heb. 12:28)

10. Keep silence before him
The silence of submission/resolution (1 Sam. 3:9; Jas. 1:19)
The silence of patient trust (Psa. 9:10)
The silence of expectation (Rev. 8:1)

11. Keep silence before him
We live in a noisy, hurried, and chaotic world with many voices competing for our attention
Silence before God is a fitting response to his holiness and majesty
Let us practice Hab. 2:20 everyday – hush!