The Punishing Rod Part One
Habakkuk 1:1-11
When Habakkuk was disturbed, he brought his interests straightforwardly to God. In the wake of accepting God's responses, he then reacted with a supplication of faith. Habakkuk's model is one that ought to support us as we battle to move from uncertainty to faith. We do not need to be hesitant to pose questions to God. The issue is not with God's methodologies; however, it is with our restricted comprehension of him.
This is faith grappling with a problem.
First question: 1:1-4
Habakkuk lived in Judah during the rule of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36-24:5). He had prophesied between the fall of Nineveh (the capital of Assyria) in 612 B.C. and Judah’s invasion in 589 B.C. With Assyria in confusion, Babylon was turning into the predominant politically influential nation. This book records the exchange with God concerning the inquiries, "For what reason does God regularly appear to be apathetic with the evil that is happening? And for what reason do the those that are evil appeared to go unpunished? While other prophetic books carried God's Word to the individuals, this book carried the individuals' inquiries to God.
Habakkuk was disheartened and distraught by the defilement and corruption that he saw around him. Accordingly, he spilled his guts out to God, in other words, Habakkuk cried out. Today bad the rampant injustice is as yet uncontrolled, but we ought not allow our anxiety to make us question God or go against him. All things being equal, we ought to consider the message that God provided for Habakkuk and perceive God's long-range big picture of his plans. We ought to understand that what God is doing is correct, regardless of whether we comprehend the reason as to why he functions as he does.
First answer: 1:5-11
God reacts to Habakkuk's various forms of feedback by expressing that he will yet do staggering demonstrations that will extol himself. At the point when conditions around us become practically terrible, we keep thinking about whether God has failed to remember us. Yet, recall, that he is in charge. God has an arrangement and will pass judgment on criminals in his time. Assuming we are really modest, we will actually want to acknowledge his responses and anticipate his planning.
God told the occupants of Jerusalem that they would be shocked at what he was going to do. Individuals would see a progression of unimaginable occasions. First of all, their own autonomous and prosperous realm, Judah, would become a vassal country. Furthermore, Egypt, a country that had been a politically influential nation for quite a long time, would be squashed practically overnight. Thirdly, Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, would be totally scoured that the individuals would fail to remember where it had been. Then finally, the Chaldeans (Babylonians) would ascend into control. However, these words were without a doubt dumbfounding, and the people saw them come to fruition during their lifetime.
The Chaldeans (Babylonians), who lived northwest of the Persian Gulf, made a quick ascent to controlling the known world around 630 B.C. They started to champion themselves against the Assyrian Empire, and by 605 B.C. They had vanquished Assyria to turn into the most grounded force to be reckoned with. Yet, they were just about as underhanded and wicked as the Assyrians, for they wanted to gather hostages (1:9), they were pleased with their fighting strategies (1:10), and they confided in their godlike objects and military strength (1:11).
Babylon was glad for its military may, its procedures, its armed forces, and its weapons.
Without really considering humankind, the armed forces got back wealth, goods, slaves, and recognition from the countries that they looted. Such is the embodiment of worshipful admiration, asking the divine beings that we make to assist us with getting all that we need. The substance of Christianity is asking the God who made all of us, to assist us with giving everything that we can in support of him. The objective of excessive admiration is self-wonder, the point of Christianity is God's greatness.
The Punishing Rod Part 2
Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:20
Now the prophet asks a second question. How can God allow such a godless nation to be allowed to bring judgment upon His children? Granted Judah has been wicked, but how can God use another wicked nation to punish them? Although this is hard to understand, Habakkuk waits on the Lord.
Second question: 1:12-17
Judah's impending discipline would be on account of the Babylonians. Habakkuk was dismayed that God would utilize a country more insidious than Judah for Judah's discipline. However, the Babylonians did not realize that God was utilizing them to assist Judah with getting back to him, and Babylon's pride in its triumphs would be its downfall. Evil is pointless, and it is never outside God's ability to control. God might utilize whatever surprising instrument that he decides to address or rebuff us.
This is faith grasping the solution.
Second answer: 2:1-20
The watchmen and the watchtower, frequently utilized by the prophets to show a mentality of assumption (Isaiah 21:8, 11; Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:17), are images of Habakkuk's disposition of persistently sitting tight and looking for God's reaction. Stone lookouts were based on city walls or bulwarks so watchmen could see individuals (foes or couriers) moving toward their city while they were currently a way off. Watchtowers were additionally raised in grape plantations to assist with watching the maturing grapes. Habakkuk needed to be in the best situation to be able to receive a message from God.
This chapter records God's responses to Habakkuk's inquiries: How long would evil win (1:2-3)? For what reason was Babylon picked to rebuff Judah (1:13)? God said that the judgment, however lethargic, was certain to come about. Despite the fact that God utilized Babylon against Judah, he knew about Babylon's transgressions and that they would be punished in time.
Evil appears to have the high ground all over the world. Like Habakkuk, Christians frequently feel furious and debilitated as they see what continues. Habakkuk grumbled overwhelmingly to God about it. God's solution to him is the very response that he would provide for us, "Calm down! Things will work out as I want them to in my timing." It is not a straightforward process in being patient, however it assists us with recollecting that God despises sin significantly more than we do. Discipline of wrongdoing will surely come. As God told Habakkuk, "Do not give up." To confide in God completely is to believe him although we are not sure why such situations happen as they do.
The insidious Babylonians confided in themselves and would fall, yet the righteous live on account of their faith and confidence in God. This verse has motivated innumerable Christians. Paul quotes it in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11. The author of Hebrews quotes it in 10:38, not long before the well-known chapter on faith. Also, it is useful to all Christians who should survive troublesome occasions without seeing the result. Christians should believe that God is coordinating everything as per his motivations.
Babylon was a proud nation, it confided in itself and its military strength, and lived to fulfill its own desires to the detriment of its prisoners. Nevertheless, these very sins would ascend to pass judgment upon it, and the hostages it violated would strip and insult Babylon. Justice would come gradually; however, it would come.
Babylon's wealth came from the setbacks of others, and this wealth would transform into useless remains in its grasp. The people in question and their urban areas would shout out against Babylon. Money in itself is not malicious, however God censures the affection for wealth and all detestable methods for securing it (1 Timothy 6:10). We ought to be mindful so as not to crave for wealth in such a way that we lose our hunger for God. Try not to permit money to replace family, companions, or God.
Idolatry might appear to be a transgression that today’s modern individuals need not dread, yet idolatry is not simply doing homage (bowing down) to idols; it is confiding in what one has made, and consequently, in one's own power as maker and sustainer. Assuming that we say that we love God, but then we put our confidence in financial balances, homes, organizations, and associations, then we are idolators. Do we believe God more than we trust what our hands have made?
Idols are not alive nor personhood, and they have no power, for they are vacant lumps of wood or stone. Sanctuaries built for idols are similarly void; for nobody lives there. Nevertheless, the Lord is in his Temple. He is a genuine individual, alive and amazing. He is genuinely and completely God. Idolaters order their deities to save them, yet we who love the living God come to him in quiet adoration, extraordinary regard, and veneration. We recognize that he is in charge and knows what he is doing. Idols stay quiet since they cannot reply. The living God, paradoxically, expresses through his Word. Approach God respectfully and stand by quietly to hear what he has to say.
The last thing to point out is that there are five “woes” that are a warning.
Habakkuk 2:6, “Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his,” to those who would try to possess with the lust of conquest and plunder.
Habakkuk 2:9, “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house,” to those who would try to build an empire with cruelty and godlessness.
Habakkuk 2:12, “Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood,” to those who would try to build cities by the shedding of innocent blood.
Habakkuk 2:15, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor to drink,” to those who would try to use cruel treatment of those conquered.
Habakkuk 2:19, “Woe unto him that saith to the wood, awake; to the dumb stone, arise,” to those who would try to worship things that do not breathe, idolatry.
The Punishing Rod Part 3
Habakkuk 3:1-13
Here Habakkuk’s prayer is like a psalm in which he is asking for God to remember mercy in his wrath as he revives his works. Habakkuk offers praise for the past deliverances of God when he brought salvation to his people and the wicked received judgment. Habakkuk gives his profession of faith. He trembled at what he heard but he still expressed his faith in God. And although trouble would come, he would still rejoice in the Lord’s provided strength.
This is faith glorying in assurance.
Habakkuk commended God for addressing his inquiries. The evil will not continually win; God is in charge, and he can be totally trusted to justify the individuals who are dedicated to him. We should discreetly sit tight for him to act (3:16).
Habakkuk realized that God planned to discipline Judah and that it was not going to be a charming encounter. In any case, he acknowledged God's will, requesting help and kindness. Habakkuk did not request to get away from the discipline yet acknowledged the truth that Judah needed to learn something with an example. God actually chastises his children, in love, so as to bring them back to him (Hebrews 12:5-6). We ought to acknowledge his discipline readily, and request that he assist us with transforming and growing.
In verses 3-16, Habakkuk paints the image of God conveying his people out of Egypt in the sensational Exodus (Exodus 14). God's magnificent power is not confined to making grand miracles; he additionally utilizes it to execute uprightness and equity. It is not sufficient to be awed by God's power. We really want discipline to figure out how to comply and live for him.
The failure of the crops and the death of the livestock would pulverize Judah. Yet, Habakkuk asserted that even in the midst of starvation, he would in any case celebrate in the Lord. Habakkuk's sentiments were not constrained by what was happening around him however, his conviction in God's ability invigorated him. When nothing seems right, and when inconveniences are beyond what we can bear, we should recall that God provides strength to us. We should remove our eyes from our hardships and look to God.
God will give his believers surefooted certainty through troublesome times. They will run like deer across the harsh and hazardous landscapes. At the appropriate time, God will bring justice and free the universe of all evil. Meanwhile, God's children need to live in the strength of his Spirit and be assured about his definitive triumph over evil.
Habakkuk had asked God for what good reason bad individuals thrive while the good ones suffer. God's response: they do not, not over the long haul. Habakkuk saw his own impediments rather than God's limitless control of the relative multitude of world's situations. God is alive and in charge of the world and its happenings. We cannot see all that God is doing, and we cannot see all that God will do. In any case, we can be guaranteed that he is God, and he will make the wisest decision. Knowing this gives us certainty and trust in a befuddling world.
