As the Lord continues His response to Habakkuk’s complaint, He shows that He is never soft on sin and that it will bring serious consequences for the Babylonians. They are described as arrogant and as greedy as death (v5).

The Lord then speaks of five woes for the Babylonians (v6-19)

1. Woe to the thief (v6-8)
2. Woe to the unjust builder (v9-11)
3. Woe to the builder with bloodshed (v12-14)
4. Woe to the wine server (v15-17)
5. Woe to the idolater (v18-19)

We each need to consider these sins in turn to see where they may lurk in our lives. We must never forget, sin brings consequences.

This section ends with the need of stillness before God (v20). We need to examine our lives and actions in the presence of almighty God.