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| Photo by Jim Tracy |
Habakkuk prophesied in the late 600’s to early 500’s BC. He ponders the payment received of evil people, such as Israel being destroyed by Assyria. He wonders if Assyria is any better than Israel, though, and notes Judah’s great sinning. God tells him that it will all even out in the end and to just be patient.
Habakkuk means Wrestler. Since he wrestled with the ideas of justice, this is an appropriate name for this prophet. He was probably a Levite.
1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
Like many of us, Habakkuk is disturbed by all the evil he sees. He wishes God wouldn’t even let him notice it.
4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
In comparison, Israel and Judah were much more righteous than Assyria who had just destroyed Israel, yet God let them triumph. Why? God answers…
5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
“Oh do you have a surprise coming!”
6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs.
The Babylonian Empire (another name for Chaldeans) had already had their glory-day, long before Assyria rose to power. At this moment they didn’t appear to be a threat to anyone. God is fixing to change that.
7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
God is going to empower Babylon to destroy Assyria for her sins.
11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
But the Babylonians will give credit to their false gods instead of the true God.
Back to Habakkuk…
12 Art Thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, Thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, Thou hast established them for correction.
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?
If God is all knowing and purely righteous, why is He letting these evil heathens hurt Jacob so?
14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
If God has so totally empowered these evil people, what can ever stop them? How could God let such evil rule? Especially since they won’t acknowledge Him, but will continue to worship their idols.