The Second Woe (Hab 2:9-11)

1. The violations of the offender. There were three violations. First, he "cut an evil cut." He sliced things for maximum personal advantage. Today we would call it either cheating or spinning. It's the love of illegal gain. One person wins at someone else's expense. Read Prov 1:19; Jer 6:13; 8:10. Second, he "set his nest on high." That smacks of ambition. Selfish ambition. The goal was to have a protected, fail-proof dynasty. What's that but a fascination with self-preservation? Third, he cut off people (and I don't mean in traffic). This ruler deported entire people groups and forced them to resettle in a strange country. He had no sympathy. If everyone else were upset and disrupted, he could remain on top. Not a way to make friends!
2. The vindication of the offended. Poetic verse 11 describes a musical whirlwind. As the wind weakened the owner's house, the rafters and foundation sang to each other. Then came the collapse. The oppressor had been overthrown.
3. The validity for the reader. Self wants to rule (If it doesn't, how do you explain Rom 7:13-25?). Self is opposed to the spirit (Gal 5:16-17). Anything produced by self corrupts and divides (Jam 3:14-16). We're told not to "look out for number one" but look out for other people's interests (Phil 2:3-4). Jesus taught us to deny ourselves (Mt 16:24).