Habakkuk
4: Faith Enfleshed
April 28, 2024 • Sean Higgins • Habakkuk 2:2–5
There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who break down everything into twos and those who don't. We can get ourselves confused by trying to make some things too simple, but we can also confuse ourselves making the simple complex. In the world that God made, we can either love Him or not, either be in fellowship with Him or out. We can be righteous or in some level of rebellion. We can trust Him, or trust something or someone less wise and strong as Him. Some are of the seed of the serpent, some are of the seed of the woman, and the difference is where they put their faith. God tells us what to want and how to get it. He tells us the dangers of wanting other things as well as the consequences of wanting the right things but pursuing them the wrong way. What is before us is one or the other: life or vanity. We are about to hear the Lord's response to Habakkuk's second complaint. Habakkuk lamented the violence in Judah (and for interesting/ironic connection, in Hebrew the word for violence is pronounced *(c)hamas*), and the Lord replied that He was raising up the Babylonians to take the covenant people captive. Habakkuk questioned this, because how could it be right to punish the wicked by the hands of even more wicked? We're about to see; the Lord's answer takes up the rest of Habakkuk 2. There are two parts to the reply, and the second part comes in five WOES in verses 6-20. But in verses 2-5 we get what is arguably the key to Habakkuk’s book and burden. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the key to life. # Time Announced (verses 2-3) Here is not merely a reply, but dependable revelation for Habakkuk and all who would hear him. > And the LORD answered me: > “Write the vision; > make it plain on tablets, > so he may run who reads it. > For still the vision awaits its > appointed time; > it hastens to the end—it will > not lie. > If it seems slow, wait for it; > it will surely come; it will > not delay. > (Habakkuk 2:2–3 ESV) The *content* of the **vision** will come in verse 4, with clarification in verse 5. The *capture* of the vision should be written **on tablets**, which is unique (an article and plural), and even echoes the writing of the 10 Commandments on two tablets. There is a permanence to this vision: etched in stone. There will be relevance beyond Habakkuk’s day. This will also make it **so he may run who reads it**, which either means simple like a sign/billboard that's legible for someone running by it or simple for sake of a herald rushing around to give the announcement. The *context* of the vision is that it will take place soon but not immediately. As the Babylonians were appointed, so the vision is **appointed**, and certain, **it will surely come**. From Habakkuk's standpoint it might seem slow, but getting all the pieces in place in the Middle East is always a work of God. We don’t even know what the announcement is yet, but here is a call for faith in tension. Knowing that it *will* be, but not knowing when. # Trust Alternatives (verse 4) The vision narrows the options to the binary. > “Behold, his soul is puffed up; > it is not upright within him, > but the righteous shall live > by his faith. > (Habakkuk 2:4 ESV) "Look at this," says the Lord, **Behold**. The **his** is a collective reference to the Babylonians, and the Lord gets right to the heart: **his soul** and **within him**. Two problems: **puffed up** and **not upright**. The second half of the verse shows the contrast, and it is critical. The puffed up man is bloated, swollen with the hot air of autonomy. Hw worships his own strength (see Habakkuk 1:11). They've made a massive miscalculation at the very core of decision making—trusting themselves, and so all the other decisions/judgments of right will be skewed. **But the righteous shall live by his faith**. We know that Paul quoted this in his letter to the Romans (1:17) and Galatians (3:11) contrasting justification by works with justification by faith. And we see how this word to Habakkuk belongs in that discussion. But Habakkuk's concern and context was different, and this revelation has to do with how you'd get into Hebrews 11 (as evidenced by the quote of Habakkuk 2:4 at the end of Hebrews 10:38) not how you'd get into heaven. The **righteous** are the “just” (KJV). The Lord does not tell Habakkuk that those with faith will be counted righteous (which is true), but that those who are righteous will live (in ongoing righteous conduct) by faith, in systemic trust. Trusting God is how they live their lives, trust in the Lord touches everything. It turns out that the righteous here start by faith as well, humble before the Lord rather than puffed up in self. But they live from faith to faith, by their “faithfulness.” By faith, Habakkuk and those who listened to him accepted God’s judgment and were taken into captivity. By faith they sought the good of the foreign city (per Jeremiah 29:7). By faith they returned to the land (Ezra and Nehemiah). By faith they fought and built, Jerusalem’s walls and temple. What living by faith did not allow was pietistic passivity. The faith of the righteous was enfleshed. # Traitorous Arrogance (verse 5) Before the five woes of the Lord’s judgment there is a bit about the drunken deceit brought by the Babylonians on themselves. > “Moreover, wine is a traitor, > an arrogant man who is never > at rest. > His greed is as wide as Sheol; > like death he has never enough. > He gathers for himself all nations > and collects as his own > all peoples.” > (Habakkuk 2:5 ESV) It’s an interesting personification of **wine**. Later copies changed it the word to "wealth," and that would work, but wine does even deeper work by analogy. Their self-trust, like wine, went to their head (Baker). God says that wine gladdens a man's heart, but if not received as a gift, it can turn a man into its slave, and so an addict, always needing more. The Babylonians would be drunk on their power and luxuries, and like **Sheol** or the grave, never satisfied. This vision from the Lord shows that they will get what they want, and be consumed by their consuming. As a comment about Babylon’s coming judgement, we know that Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, was in the middle of a feast where he called for the gold and silver cups from Jerusalem’s temple to be brought for drinking (Daniel 5:1-4). That was his last night in power, his last night *alive* (Daniel 5:30-31), and the last night of Babylon’s reign. # Conclusion We hate tension, so we seek fun/distraction rather than live by faith. We hate tension, so we use force/power to get to the expectation our way, and faster, no waiting required. Faith is *trust in tension*. Faith is the assurance of better but later. Faith fights doubting and double-mindedness (see these opposites of faith in James 1:6-8). Faith is life*style*. Enfleshed faith, put flesh to faith, not flesh rather than faith. Sell, spank, read, write, vote, run, lift, mow, build, brew, study, teach, play, sleep, laugh, love, and do it all because of humble dependence on the Lord. Faith knows that unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Faith also knows that when the Lord builds the house He’ll call us to get off the couch. You must not be puffed up, and you have no excuse to be passive. You must not be puffed up, and so you had better pray before and during and after whatever work you offer to the Lord. You must not be puffed up, nor puff up any other man, any politician or political scheme, as if we could even make a seed grow let alone make a soul repent, or a nation. The contrast is not between quiet-internal-right-thoughts (faith) and doing things (works); Hebrews 11 is filled with active/living faith-ers. But, what/who are we trusting in while in tension? Faith is the key to Habakkuk’s burden, and the only way for the righteous to live. ---------- ## Charge Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. May your hands be ever faithful and never manipulative. ## Benediction: > [M]ay our God make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 ESV)
3: A Proper Complaint
April 21, 2024 • Sean Higgins • Habakkuk 1:12–17, Habakkuk 2:1
There’s a principle in Bible study about interpreting less clear passages in light of more clear passages. When you come to something you don’t know, remember what you *do* know. This applies in a lot of places, because there are probably a lot of things we don’t know. Habakkuk knew that the LORD was righteous; Habakkuk’s first complaint depends on it. The Lord had revealed His law, why is He allowing the law to be paralyzed? The Lord is powerful and right, why is He apparently passive about wrong? The Lord cares, why isn’t He responding to Habakkuk’s cries? I often think of the various ways the Lord could respond to things as if He has a warehouse full of possibilities. Who could have more? He’s not limited by imagination or by resources. He sees *all* the things that happen, He sees all *hearts*, and He could respond almost any way He wanted. The Lord opened the door to His response arsenal for Habakkuk to see. His choice response for the violence in Judah was not inactivity as it seemed to Habakkuk. The Lord had been preparing nations and pushing them into place on the board, getting things set up for the very judgment Habakkuk was crying for. Except it wasn’t exactly what Habakkuk had in mind. Habakkuk cried, “Help!” And then, “Wait! Not like that!” The Lord was raising up the Chaldeans, whom we refer to as the Babylonians, who were going to scoff their way past kings and sweep their way through the land gathering captives like sand. This burden moved Habakkuk to raise his second complaint. He starts with what he knows, asks another version of how long, and then prepares himself for an answer. # What Is Proper - Truth (verse 12) The first question is based on Habakkuk having passed his theology class. > Are you not from everlasting, > O LORD my God, my Holy One? > We shall not die. > O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, > and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof. > (Habakkuk 1:12 ESV) The prophet starts with theology *proper*, with the character and attributes of God as God *revealed* through God’s Word from which Habakkuk views the world. God is **everlasting**, which isn’t only about God’s relationship to a timeline but God’s dependability all the time. World history is the lagging measure of God’s eternal will. He is **LORD**, *Yahweh*, the “I am” who IS, who exists, and who revealed Himself and made covenant with Israel. **My God**, and **my Holy One**, refer to the sovereign and the divinely separate. Habakkuk knows (by faith) this LORD, and can state **We shall not die.** The only way to make this claim is based on theology, on God’s faithfulness to God’s promises when God chose a people. There would be judgment, even brutal judgment, but it wouldn’t be annihilation of the nation…at least not if Habakkuk’s theology proper was proper. Yet the Lord **ordained** and **established**the Chaldean/Babylonians as **judgement** and **reproof**. Habakkuk acknowledges the Lord’s answer, but this raises an argument. # What Doesn’t Seem Proper (verses 13-17) Verse 13 builds two parts complaint on two parts proper theology. > You who are of purer eyes than to see evil > and cannot look at wrong, > why do you idly look at traitors > and remain silent when the wicked swallows up > the man more righteous than he? > (Habakkuk 1:13 ESV) Habakkuk got his standard of justice from the Lord. Habakuk argued that violence and wrong were **wrong** because the Lord said it was wrong, and the law of the Lord comes from the nature of the Lord; He is **of purer eyes**. He can’t look at it or tolerate it, same as Habakkuk said in verse 3. So how does that fit with the Lord raising up (verse 6) and having ordained/established (verse 12) **the wicked** to deal with wickedness, especially when, by comparison, those being punished are **more righteous**? Habakkuk not only knew theology, he had enough familiarity with foreign affairs to know that the Babylonians were pretty much doing whatever they wanted, and what they wanted was bad. If the Chaldeans **swallow up**, where will the Lord’s faithfulness be seen? (See the after-swallowing lament: Lamentations 2:2, 5, 16). Verses 14-15 point out how the proper place of man has—by God’s doing—been turned upside-down. > You make mankind like the fish of the sea, > like crawling things that have no ruler. > He brings all of them up with a hook; > he drags them out with his net; > he gathers them in his dragnet; > so he rejoices and is glad. > (Habakkuk 1:14-15 ESV) When I read this description I update it in my mind to shooting fish in a barrel. The Babylonians didn’t have guns, but it is as if **mankind**—here the word *ʾādām*—the rest of the nations, were brainless, helpless little guppies at the mercy. They were less than men, or at least treated as such. The **crawling things** are the same as referenced in the creation account, swarming in the water. And who did it? **You make**, *God* made men to “have dominion over the fish of the sea” (Genesis 1:28), all the swarms of living creatures in the waters (Genesis 1:20), how can this turnover be proper? There’s a **hook**, a **net**, and a **dragnet**, which would be a net for more than an individual. They are caught, gathered together, and dragged away. This could be an extended ichthyological (dealing with fishes) metaphor. But, there’s some historical reasons to think at least some of it is physical, as the Babylonians followed the Assyrians by piercing captives’ lower lips with hooks, leading them on a string. Were there also human-sized nets? > Therefore he sacrifices to his net > and makes offerings to his dragnet; > for by them he lives in luxury, > and his food is rich. > (Habakkuk 1:16 ESV) The Lord said that the Babylonians “own might is their god!” (verse 11). And the **sacrifices** and **offerings** are part of that worship, celebrating the weapons of their victory. These are the tools that enable their lifestyle of **luxury** and **rich food**. The word “luxury” is fine, but the KJV says “their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.” They liked their plunder so much they worshiped their shopping bags. > Is he then to keep on emptying his net > and mercilessly killing nations forever? > (Habakkuk 1:17 ESV) The question is a desperation “how long?” will this go on? Will it stop? They fill the net, empty the net, like relentless waves on the shore. We’ve got almost nine more months of this administration? # What Is Proper - Trust (verse 2:1) It’s one of those bad chapter breaks, and, we can get over it. > I will take my stand at my watchpost > and station myself on the tower, > and look out to see what he will say to me, > and what I will answer concerning my complaint. > (Habakkuk 2:1 ESV) Habakkuk has been complain-praying, but talking about God and the Babylonians. Now he adds a little third-person narration. Habakkuk is girding his loins for the Lord’s reply, which he knows is coming. The rest of chapter 2 is that **answer concerning [his] complaint**. This is one way to translate the end of the verse, another is, “how I may reply when I am reproved” (NASB), suggesting that Habakkuk expected the Lord’s answer to correct him. He was a *watchman*, and it was proper for him to wait for the word of the Lord. # Conclusion When the earth is not yet filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD (see Habakkuk 2:14), *and* some real pieces of work are in charge, what then? How do we get our clear theology up next to the disordered world? Here are Habakkuk's hacks for handling __deserved__ political catastrophe, or tips for when you're a tiny citizen fish in a totalitarian barrel: (and yeah, stated in a playful way to get your attention, but dreadfully serious about the counsel) - Learn to hate any corruption of justice, large and small, and the strife such corruption causes. Hate lies and bribes more. - Do no wrong to your neighbor, even when it appears that you could get away with it. This includes verbal wrong in the parking lot behind their back, financial wrong in a business deal, any wrong. - Complain (lament and cry) to God, in personal prayer and assembled psalm-singing. Let it be known that our help is in the name of the Lord who is in His holy temple (Habakkuk 2:20). - Get on board that God works in mysterious ways, including His abundant arsenal of judgments. Theology proper that fits neatly on the page may be prim and yet not fully proper. That said, one reason people lose their minds is because they never knew God as God reveals Himself in His Word. - Build all your life on the Rock, hearing and doing His words, so that your house will not fall when the floods come (Matthew 7:24-25). - Then get wisdom and pursue zeal to take every advantage of any open door God puts in front of you to honor Christ the Lord as holy (1 Peter 3:15). ---------- ## Charge George Bernard Shaw said, "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” And in our temporal citizenship, that resonates. But also "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." So live as HE deserves. ## Benediction: > Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Ephesians 6:23–24 ESV)
2: Ruin Not Revival
April 14, 2024 • Sean Higgins • Habakkuk 1:5–11
The burden of Habakkuk hits hard. The violence and numbing of justice in Judah hit the prophet hard, so he cried to Yahweh for help. Why wasn't the LORD *saving*? The answer from the LORD hit even harder. It was *not* what Habakkuk had in mind, and that in multiple ways; the answer was *ruin* not revival. While all of this is 2500 year-old history, the application hits us hard, too. Habakkuk's repeated prayers for help must have come sometime after good King Josiah died (609 BC). And it seems reasonable to think that Habakkuk's prayers must have wanted the Lord to fix the problems by giving Judah another king like Josiah. Josiah didn't restore justice overnight after 55 years of Manasseh's evil rule, but right did return. Josiah led the way. Josiah showed it could be done. Why not send another righteous king to make Judah great again, so that justice would not be perverted but prevail? There are at least three surprising parts of Habakkuk's vision of the Lord’s reply. First, contrary to appearances, the Lord was *not* "idly looking at wrong" (verse 3), because immediately the Lord tells Habakkuk to "Look" (verse 5) at something the Lord has already been doing. Second, there would not be help or saving from violence (verses 2 and 3), but instead *more* violence; violent enemies were coming to kill and take captives (verse 9). And third, the judgment was coming from an upstart and *ungodly* superpower. Habakkuk couldn't have predicted this on his own if his middle name was Blackswan. In the Lord's answer we get an initial call to pay attention and then the identity of the coming punishers with a dreadful set of attributes. # A Harrowing Surprise (verse 5) What you can't see in English is that all the imperative verb endings in verse 5 are *plural*. This is why we're not just peaking in on Habakkuk's melancholy quiet time one morning. This is a harrowing/distressing word to the people of Judah. > Look among the nations, and see; > wonder and be astounded. > For I am doing a work in your days > that you would not believe if told. > (Habakkuk 1:5 ESV) That's a four-fold alert to open the newspaper, turn on the TV, refresh the app, prepare to be amazed: **Look, see, wonder, be astounded**. The first two are the same as Habakkuk's complaint: "Why do you make me *see* (ra’ah) iniquity, and why do you idly *look* (nabat) at wrong?" (verse 3). The Lord could see what was happening, better than Habakkuk, and beyond what Habakkuk could conceive. To look **among the nations** indicates from the start of the Lord's answer that Yahweh's sovereignty covers the world stage, not just the land and peoples of Palestine. **I am doing a work in your days** also pulls back the curtain to reveal a lot of activity, not ignorance or idleness. **That you would not believe if told** is not going to introduce a happy surprise. # A Horrible Superpower (verse 6-11) Here is *the nation*, a horrible/dreadful superpower. > For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, > that bitter and hasty nation, > who march through the breadth of the earth, > to seize dwellings not their own. > (Habakkuk 1:6 ESV) The Lord not only identifies the surprise nation among the nations, the Lord takes credit for that nation’s ascendence in power. **I am raising up the Chaldeans**, which we can call Babylonians, though the Chaldeans were first a nomadic tribe that then moved to and took over the city and region of Babylon (though for less than 100 years). Babylon itself is located in modern-day Iraq, about 50 miles south of Baghdad. During Manasseh's day, and most of Josiah’s reign, Assyria was the dominant power in the Middle East, and Judah paid tribute. Egypt had always been a different world power to the south. But Nobopolassar rose to power in 626, defeated the Assyrian city of Asshur in 614 and the capital city of Nineveh in 612 (after a three month siege). His son Nebuchadnezzar chased the Egyptian Pharaoh Neco in 605, and in that same year Nobopolassar died and Nebuchadnezzar took over. It's one thing when a tiny mob is bitter, though even a TM can cause a lot of havoc. This whole *nation* is **bitter** (or “fierce” NASB, “ruthless” NIV) and **hasty**; they are disgruntled and hotheaded. With speed they **march through the breadth of the earth**, the swath of bitter brutality is *wide*. They take over and occupy furnished buildings that they didn't build (which wouldn’t be the first time in the same land). > They are dreaded and fearsome; > their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. > (Habakkuk 1:7 ESV) **Dreaded** and **fearsome** would be responses to either the previous attributes or the rest of verse 7. The Babylonians were not *reasonable*. It was bad in Judah that the law was paralyzed, but the Babylonians were a law unto themselves. It’s frying-pan when the standard is known but ignored, it's the fryer when the standard is whatever a pagan feels like that day. You can complain, but there’s no grounds to argue your case. > Their horses are swifter than leopards, > more fierce than the evening wolves; > their horsemen press proudly on. > Their horsemen come from afar; > they fly like an eagle swift to devour. > (Habakkuk 1:8 ESV) The horses and their riders are compared to leopards, wolves, and eagles. The military is compared to predators: **swift** and hungry and vicious. Habakkuk said the righteous were surrounded (verse 4), but there was *no* place to escape the Babylonians. They could not be outrun, they could not be hid from. > They all come for violence, > all their faces forward. > They gather captives like sand. > (Habakkuk 1:9 ESV) **Violence**. Habakkuk thought he knew violence, and no doubt he did. And also it would be worse. To see **all their faces forward** implies that the Babylonians could not be appeased. Nothing turned them to the side, let alone turned them back. Many would be killed, others **they gather captives like sand**. This could be a play on numbers, this could be a reference to inhumanity. You could count the grains of sand in buckets but why bother—it’d be a high total, and also you wouldn't think that sand very precious. > At kings they scoff, > and at rulers they laugh. > They laugh at every fortress, > for they pile up earth and take it. > (Habakkuk 1:10 ESV) After a while you'd consider yourself invincible. "You and what army?" This laughing is mock-talk. “That’s all you’ve got?” Kings and rulers and walls meant nothing. When they came to a barrier they'd make ramparts, their own temporary hills. They had time and manpower. > Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, > guilty men, whose own might is their god!” > (Habakkuk 1:11 ESV) Tornados never stick around to see what damage they've done, the Babylonians wouldn't either. The last part in verse 11 is key. Judah was guilty, and these Chaldeans being raised up by the Lord are also **guilty men**. Were any one of the things *good* in verses 6-11? The very first attribute is that they were *bitter*. And the last is that they are *idolators*, **whose own might is their god!** They worship themselves as the superpower. # Conclusion The Babylonians were the Lord’s *tools*. This leads to Habakkuk’s second complaint, 1:12-2:1, but the Lord’s second reply is that the Babylonians they were just temporary tools; they would get their own judgement. We know now that Babylon did conquer Judah by 586 and then that Cyrus and the Persian army conquered the Chaldeans in 539. One question we get to ask is, what about the *Messiah*? The promised King of David? Not only is another righteous king like Josiah or the Messiah *not* the answer to Habakkuk’s complaint, Messiah isn’t mentioned at all in his burden or song. Living by faith, yes, but in Habakkuk’s history God sendt ruin not revival. That said, Paul quoted Habakkuk 1:5 in Acts 13:41, *by way of application*, about those who reject Jesus as the Lord’s Holy One. The burden of Habakkuk had already happened, and yet, more judgement was coming (by way of the Romans in AD 70 on the Jews) if they would not receive the word and grace of God in Jesus. What about the *United States*? I do not know our national destiny, but I do know what we deserve. We do not have the same covenants as Judah, our future is not explicitly revealed. And yet collectively, we have both *more* revelation we’re sinning against *and more* violence. What should we do? “The righteous shall live by his faith.” We should repent and kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12). We should confess that Jesus is Lord. ---------- ## Charge When you hear of wars and rumors or wars, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. The God of all grace has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, and He is at work. Cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ## Benediction: > Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 ESV)
1: A Prophetic Complaint
April 7, 2024 • Sean Higgins • Habakkuk 1:1–4
One of the most frequent questions asked by God's people is, "How long?" It’s more than a question, it’s a complaint, and yet it is *a complaint of faith*. The complaint has no teeth if there is no God to answer the question. And that God must have power and be righteous and have already revealed enough for people with faith to see that how it should be isn't how it is. How long until God makes things *right*? This question opens the burden of the prophet Habakkuk. And while the LORD gave this vision with particular people/nations in mind, and while the first level fulfillments have already taken place, the situation in Habakkuk's day bears much similarity to our own. The realities of God's sovereignty, justice, and salvation are very much still at stake. At least four parts of this three chapter minor prophet are familiar to us. The last few verses (3:17-19) are often quoted at weddings, fitting with a “for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health" vibe. We also sing about all the earth in silence (2:20). We long for the earth to be “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (2:14). And especially because that is what we want, Habakkuk 2:4 resonates the most: “the righteous shall live by his faith.” This was the whole theme of Romans according to Paul (Romans 1:16-17). The gospel saves believers, and saved believers keep on believing. Faith is life, from start to finish. The author of Hebrews also quotes Habakkuk 2:4 in terms of our confidence and courage and not being cowards (Hebrews 10:38). Faith was necessary for Habakkuk and any of the righteous. Faith isn’t only the first breath, it is the blood and bones of our life. The book has two main divisions, both of which name "Habakkuk the prophet." In 1:1 the prophet has an "oracle" and in 3:1 he has a “prayer.” The oracle includes two complaints, the second caused by the Lord's answer to the first, and the second answer includes five woes. The dialogue between Habakkuk and the Lord take up the first two chapters. The entire last chapter was Habakkuk's submission to the Lord and was intended to be sung, as shown by the final words. This morning we'll meet the prophet and consider his problem in context. It's more than facts of history, it is food for hope. # The Prophet’s Burden (verse 1) There is not much of an intro or background on Habakkuk. > The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. (Habakkuk 1:1 ESV) Habakkuk is the name of **the prophet**, and all we get is his title. There's nothing else about this prophet in the Old Testament, though based on the content of this book he must have been a contemporary of Nahum and Zephaniah (the books before and after Habakkuk), as well as Jeremiah. This puts him in Israel when Josiah was King of Judah, near the last half of the 7th century BC. **Oracle** is a typical word from the Lord, a message, a “prophecy” (NIV), a “pronouncement” (CSB). Sometimes translated "burden" (KJV); it’s a heavy/hard message. It came in the form of a vision because it was something Habakkuk **saw**. These are small but vital details because it might seem as if Habakkuk's questions are personal. And they are. But the observations Habakkuk makes about Israel and Babylon and the future, as well as the responses from the Lord, are all revelation Habakkuk *received*. The prophecy is God’s Word, and so profitable for *us* as well. # The (First) Complaint (verses 2-4) Here is Habakkuk's complaint of faith. Two questions make up the prophets cries. > O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, > and you will not hear? > Or cry to you “Violence!” > and you will not save? > (Habakkuk 1:2 ESV) Habakkuk calls on the **LORD**, *Yahweh*, the name God gave to Israel when He made covenant with them. The prophet has been praying, this is not his first prayer. He’s wondering **how long shall I cry...or cry**, because it seems that the Lord is not replying. Things are *bad*, and we’ll see more specifics in verses 3-4, but there is **Violence!** (a key word in Habakkuk, used here, the next verse, 1:9, 2:8 and twice in 2:17), such that God is needed for salvation. Why isn’t the Lord answering and stopping the damage and destruction? > Why do you make me see iniquity, > and why do you idly look at wrong? > Destruction and violence are before me; > strife and contention arise. > (Habakkuk 1:3 ESV) > Three pairs of problems that are Habakkuk’s face. Can the Lord not see? Or does He see and **idly look**, doing nothing about it? **Why** is God just standing by? **Iniquity** and **wrong**. The first word also has the idea of injustice, which, we only know about justice because of God to begin with. And so the second word relates to unjust actions, the consequences of violating the standard. **Destruction** and **violence** are filling up his news feed, they are **before me**, all he can see. Violence is what he’s been crying out about (see verse 2), and the results are damaging beyond repair, ravaging and ruinous. The third pair are **strife** and **contention**. Broken standards break society. It’s obvious, but sin makes stupid sinners. Ethics and morality are *relational*, before God, yes, but between one another. We can’t violate what is right toward another person and think that won’t start unraveling the whole into a mess, especially when no one stops it. Why does the Lord “tolerate” (NIV) any of this? > So the law is paralyzed, > and justice never goes forth. > For the wicked surround the righteous; > so justice goes forth perverted. > (Habakkuk 1:4 ESV) Four lines of results. First, **law is paralyzed**, and this is fine translation, but the Hebrew verb carries the idea of making something cold, like one’s hand, so *numbed*, and ineffective, useless, or paralyzed. The law was supposed to *hold back* the violence and bring forth justice. While many cultures/nations had some sort of laws, using the word Hebrew word *torah* for **law** shows that the corruption is in *Judah*. This is *internal* fraud, dishonesty, lawbreaking by judges. So “justice is never upheld” (NASB), no one seems to be getting what they deserve. That leaves nowhere to go for the righteous, **the wicked surround** them, or “hem in” (NIV). When things are working, the righteous could appeal to the authorities and those who disobeyed would be punished, property could be restored. The process provides no protection anymore. And **justice** is **perverted**, twisted; order becomes chaos. Justice comes out *crooked*. # Conclusion Though Habakkuk complains that the LORD was inattentive, He was actually already lining up world powers. Judgment was coming, which, turns out, would be even less comfortable than the injustice. God’s answer is that Judah *will be* punished. God is going to send the Babylonians (Chaldeans) per verse 6. It would be a surprise, and this helps us date Habakkuk itself. Manasseh was king in Judah for 55 years, the most evil and idolatrous king of Judah, and then his son Amon ruled for two years following in Manasseh’s sins. But Assyria was the superpower in the Middle East during their reigns; so Habakkuk’s burden must come later. Josiah became king of Judah around 640 BC when he was only 8 years old. During Josiah’s rule righteousness was restored. He was already reforming the nation, and when workers repairing the temple found a copy of the Book of the Law, Josiah humbled himself and even more so and sought to lead for the Lord. Josiah died in 609. Babylon rose under Nabopolassar and defeated Assyria at Nineveh, just before Josiah’s death, in 612. Then his son Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem three times: 605 - when Daniel was taken captive, again in 597 when King Jehoiakim was taken captive, and finally conquering Judah and taking even more captives. So the cultural wickedness got bad *quickly*, shortly after 609, and Habakkuk could see the anxiety and agitation. The consequences were coming. This leads to Habakkuk’s “wait a second, though, how can an even *more* wicked people punish this (less) wicked, covenant people?” The oracle of Habakkuk has *happened*; it’s history. Corruption for the covenant community (Judah) had catastrophic consequences. God will judge the wicked, and He will even use other wicked peoples to do it, as He determines is right. The United States are not Israel/Judah. But, by way of application, our nation did know better, it’s in our books. We cannot claim ignorance of God or His standards. With Habakkuk we are allowed to cry for God’s justice. We should want the glory of the Lord to fill the earth. And as Christians we should remember that judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). With Habakkuk, the righteous shall live by faith. ---------- ## Charge When the foundations crumble, that is not the time to abandon hope, that’s when hope is potent. When the windows are broken, that’s not time to leave your trash on the floor. In other words, what should you do when so many things aren’t right? By faith YOU do what is right. ## Benediction: > For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And > “If the righteous is scarcely saved, > what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” > Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:17–19 ESV)