MLC Sermon Notes Note 0207

Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a prophet of Judah. His book is the 8th of the 'minor' prophets. The book is not dated, but was obviously written before the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed at the time of the Babylonian captivity. We shall consider the book in three parts:

1. The First Complaint

Habakkuk 1:2-4

"O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgement doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgement proceedeth."

In other words: Why aren't you doing something about my complaints, my many prayers about current injustices? If you are a God of justice, why aren't you noticing the evil that is gaining the ascendancy? Why aren't you talking action? How long must I cry for help and you do not answer?

That was how the prophet Habakkuk analysed the situation and prayed to God. It was a prayer millions of people pray in this day. Have you not even whispered it yourself? Where is God? What is He doing about the world's myriad problems? Evil, violence and greed are getting the upper hand: but what is God doing about it? Where is He? Why is He so silent?

Yahweh's answer to Habakkuk

Habakkuk 1:5-11

"Look around among the nations and see. Be astonished! Be astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days that you would not believe if it were told you."

In other words: I am, in fact, already doing something about evil. I am rousing up forces to punish evil doers and you Habakkuk will be astonished when that work is finished.

Habakkuk continues

Habakkuk 1:12

"Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, you have the Chaldeans to execute your judgements and you have established him for chastisement and correction. But ... ?"

Habakkuk recognises Yahweh's involvement in the punishment of wrong-doers: and how that the Chaldeans are in deed ruthlessly punishing many nations in exactly the way that Yahweh had described: but still a moral problem remains which prompts the second complaint.

2. The Second Complaint

Habakkuk 1:13

"Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?"

In other words: You are a holy person who cannot look upon evil and injustice without taking action. But why are you so silent when the wicked are punishing people far more righteous than themselves?

Habakkuk's reasoning continues: I realise that I have been rash to even reason like this, to talk out plainly in this way to God. But that is how it looks to me.

Yahweh's answer

Habakkuk 2:2	"Write this vision - plainly - that even the man in a hurry may understand it ... The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and lie not, though it tarry, wait for it."
v4	"Behold the proud; his soul is not strait or right within him; but the rigidly just and the uncompromisingly righteous shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness." (Amplified Bible)

In other words: Record this vision concerning my plans. Record it plainly so that even people in a hurry may understand it. In the final analysis, at the final judgement - the wicked (the one whose soul is not right with Yahweh) will be punished with death - eternal death. But the just, the righteous, those who do what I say is right, will live because of their faith! Wait for this final outcome. It may appear to be taking a long time: but it will most certainly take place. It will occur.

These facts about the final punishment of the wicked are taught throughout the scriptures. See Psalm 37:1-11&25. The Psalms contain many passages which tell of how evil seems to be in power at the moment: that crime pays. But the fact is God is in charge and on the Day of Judgement every one will realise this.

Psalm 73:1-22	This passage confirms the above
v3	I was envious of the wicked when I saw their prosperity
v4-12	They appear to thrive and they have everything they want
v13-16	Whereas the righteous appear to be doing good all for nothing. This reasoning was more than I could fathom: until I went into the sanctuary of Yahweh and witnessed the judgement of the wicked. Then I understood their end; I plainly saw what was in store for them.
v20-22	Finally I woke up as out of a dream, for now I understood the Almighty's methods.

Yahweh's methods

Yahweh always punishes pride, violence and wickedness. So do not ever think that He is doing nothing about all the wickedness on this earth. He is punishing, albeit in a limited way: because His mercy also extends to the wicked. Initially He uses outside forces to punish Israel. More often than not these forces are far worse than the people they are punishing.
Yahweh then punishes that outside force, laying it low as He did the ancient Babylonians. They may for the time being appear to thrive in all that they do, but their victory is short lived. Moreover, in the final analysis, on the great Day of Judgement - they will perish. That is how they will end.
But the just, the righteous, those who have chosen the path of faith and obedience will live for all eternity. They may have suffered punishment for their sins at the hand of the wicked. But that is not their end by any means. The reward of the righteous is life eternal in the Kingdom of Heaven. That is a reward far in excess of anything we can remotely imagine.

That is how Yahweh works. Remember these facts.

3. Habakkuk's Prayer / Testimony

Habakkuk 3:1-2	Yahweh I have heard your speech ... Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make yourself known. In wrath remember mercy.
v3-7	The prophet sees Yahweh in vision.
v9	Your bow was made quite bare; sworn to the tribes (of Israel) by your sure word were the rods of chastisement, scourges and calamities.
v10	The rescue of Israel
v11	The assistance given to Joshua (Joshua 10:12-13)
v12	The final punishment of nations
v13	You went forth and have come for the salvation of thy people; for the deliverance ... of your anointed ones.
v16	I will wait quietly for the day of trouble and distress which is about to come to the people of Yahweh.

The prophet now has a much clearer understanding of the Almighty's methods and ends his book with this magnificent declaration of faith.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

"Though the fig tree does not blossom and there be no fruit in the vines; though the product of the olive fail and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls: Yet will I rejoice in Yahweh and exult in the victorious God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery and my invincible army. He makes my feet like hind's feet and will make me walk (not stand in terror, but walk) and make spiritual progress upon my high places (of trouble, suffering or responsibility)!" (Amplified Bible)

4. Are You Discouraged?

So was Habakkuk; so was Moses; so was Elijah: "Let me die" said he. So was Job. Oh what a staggering experience was his! So was Isaiah: "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." (Isaiah 6:5) So was David, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, JESUS and every Apostle in turn: loneliness, sorrow, poverty, hardship, misunderstanding, betrayal, slander and often even persecution.

These experiences are common to all believers. But in truth we are winning because YAHWEH IS WITH US. And though His methods seem strange and His silence extremely difficult to understand, in actual fact He is working His purposes out. And as a beautiful token of sure victory He gives all His sons and daughters inner peace and joy which only the true believer can understand. And these spiritual possessions will enable us to say like Habakkuk

"I will trust Yahweh no matter what happens."

MLC Sermon Notes

July 1999
Matanyah Learning Centre, Duiwelskloof, South Africa
matanyah.cjb.net/snotes/note0207.html