Habakkuk 2:1-5 & 3:17-19
Lesson
Setting
Named after its author, the book of Habakkuk in its purpose
fulfills the prophet’s mission as a book recording the striking words of a poet
who embraces his people with a message of God’s justice. The prophet pronounces his sayings in the
pre-exilic era. References to the
Chaldeans (Neo-Babylonians) and Nabopolassar, a Neo-Babylonian monarch who
ruled from 627 to 605 BCE, offers an approximate date for the book. However, biblical scholars agree that it is
impossible to date this book with precision.
Moreover, Habakkuk’s oracles were God’s means of warning Israel and
Judah many years in advance of the coming destruction resulting in captivity
and exile if they continued digressing in wickedness and rebellion. Habakkuk calls for justice, truth and righteousness
in the midst of utter hopeless and darkness in Israelite and Judean society.
Lesson
Outline
Point I – Habakkuk 2:1 – Waiting for an Answer from God
Point II – Habakkuk 2:2-3 – Write Down the Revelation
Point III – Habakkuk 2:4-5 – Faithfulness is the Key
Point IV – Habakkuk 3:17-19 – “I Will Trust in the Lord!”
Unifying
Principle
Some people experience so many difficulties in life they
lose all hope for the future. Where can
they turn for direction when things get really bad? Job, the Psalter and Habakkuk all affirm that
no matter what calamities might come their way, they will trust God; rejoice in
God’s presence in their lives; and praise God for strength to carry on.
Introduction
Most regrettably, a very commercial, profitable and
fashionable theology, “The Gospel of Wealth and Health,” receives widespread
uncritical acceptance throughout Christendom.
Even in developing countries, pejoratively characterized as “Third World
nations,” pastors, preachers and evangelists insist that following their facile
formulas yields incontrovertibly limitless wealth and lifelong health and
exemption from sickness and disease.
Actually, some of these “teachers of the Word of God” posit your righteousness
equates with your financial gain and material acquisition. The more you have in turn more greatly
reveals God’s approval of you and your life.
Proof texting by finding a few verses in the Bible that lend themselves
to these facile and one dimensional interpretations, these celebrity
clergypersons exploit millions of disciples into supporting their lavish
lifestyles. However, the “Gospel of
Wealth and Health” melts like wax when disciples periodically find themselves
in the furnace of affliction.
In this second unit of lessons, we will explore biblical
passages offering encouragement and empowerment to disciples as they live
through the “Dark Nights of the Soul.” From
our Lord’s pitiable state in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal
to Charles Spurgeon’s long-term depression to Harry Emerson Fosdick’s nervous
breakdown to Martin Luther King’s questioning God in his kitchen one morning to
Mother Teresa confiding her doubt to her private journal, all genuinely
spiritual persons travel through this mystical valley of doubt, despair,
depression and existential death. This
rite of passage is unavoidable for anyone seeking authentically to become a
clear channel of God’s love, grace, mercy and peace. As “pain is the touchstone of all spiritual
progress,” it stands to reason that hard times will emerge in the life of any
committed disciple. The history of the
Church negates the prevalent, erroneous and wayward teaching that Almighty God
exempts faithful disciples from hardships and adversities. Actually, in the “Sermon on the Mount,” the
Lord Jesus Christ declares “the rain falls on the just and unjust alike.” For persons desiring to live justly,
demonstrate mercy and walk humbly with God, trials and tribulations forge
personal character and yield spiritual development. Ironically, the darkness of daily living more
greatly reveals God’s light. As
disciples embrace rather than shun “Dark Nights of the Soul, they attain more
genuine spiritual progress.
This week’s lesson in Habakkuk, along with appropriate
references in Psalms and Job, will enable us to discover practical and
pragmatic ways of trusting unwaveringly in God’s faithfulness although bad
things happen to us. As we utilize the
spiritual discipline of self-examination, we will define character traits that
are resources as we face difficulties.
We will learn how to respond to obstacles by genuinely relying upon
God’s presence and praising Him for strength to persevere and triumph. Habakkuk’s story of maintaining hope and a faithful
attitude despite his challenges serves as an ideal case study. His example reflects the Lord’s empowerment
of His people in the times of trouble.
Our analysis of his story will produce creative expressions and
affirmation of hope in God notwithstanding bleak circumstances.
Most specifically, God demands patience and trust that He
will provide justice and victory. He does not want us to sulk as we await the
fulfillment of His promises to intervene favorably in our affairs. Thus, we need to rejoice in Him; practically
speaking, to rejoice means to feel exuberance even when your circumstances
would depress you. We spin in ecstasy as
we expect the manifestation of divine promises.
Praise and worship songs often equip us to remain joyous, happy and free
during difficult times. Essentially,
Habakkuk teaches us how to develop the habit of handling hardships by trusting
unwaveringly in the goodness and faithfulness of Almighty God.
Exposition
Point I –
Habakkuk 2:1 – Waiting for an Answer from God
Many traffic accidents occur because people hate to
wait. It seems every driver believes his
time is more important than the countless other motorists on the nation’s
highways, parkways and streets.
Regrettably, driver’s hatred of waiting results in very serious
collisions and sometimes fatalities. In
a milder way, being in the line in the post office or waiting for a doctor’s
appointment are equally frustrating.
Inevitably, you conclude your time is being wasted as you could be doing
some other more worthwhile task. As we
upon Almighty God, it is easy to suspect that He is delaying and thereby
wasting our time. Interestingly, waiting
is one of the three replies He makes to our prayers.
In the first chapter, Habakkuk offers two stern complaints
to the Lord. In so doing, Habakkuk
demonstrates the frankness and forthrightness that is often necessary in
prayer. A sanctimonious and pitifully
piteous position is not a prerequisite for effective prayer. In contrast, God appreciates and desires our
honesty and openness. As He knows the
intents of hearts and thoughts of our minds, He knows exactly what we feel and
think. In an effort to cultivate a
vibrant and maturing relationship with Him, frank communication is a
non-negotiable aspect of relating rightly with Almighty God. Accordingly, Habakkuk details the injustice,
wickedness, oppression and rebellion he observes in Judean society amongst
God’s chosen people. Without mincing any
words, the prophet inquires about the Lord’s patience and acquiescence of such
social inequalities. How can God
tolerate wanton violence and cruelty, injustice and utter indifference toward
the Law? How long will God make Habakkuk
cry aloud to Him for relief and intervention?
The Lord answers Habakkuk by foretelling the coming of the
Babylonian captivity to commence in approximately twenty years of Judah refuses
to repent from her wickedness and return to the Lord. In His formal answer, Habakkuk 1:5-11, the
Lord says that He will raise up the Babylonians for use as a rod of correction
upon both Israel and Judah. Since His
people will not heed His Law, He will use their enemies against them. The failure to cultivate and employ
self-discipline means you will submit to some other authority.
Interestingly, the Lord’s reply startles Habakkuk who offers
a second and even more combative complaint.
The prophet indicts the Lord for looking disinterestedly upon the evil
that permeates the nation. The wicked no
longer fear the Lord. They snicker and
laugh whenever anyone speaks of justice and righteousness. Is not the God of Israel the everlasting Lord
who has no beginning or end? Does not He
possess the power to eradicate this pervasive evil? Perhaps, His character lacks the compassion
for the poor and oppressed that Habakkuk previously believed it had? Essentially, the prophet desires to
understand how God can be so indifferent to treachery and iniquity?
As the Sovereign Lord of the Universe, God answers Habakkuk
when He so chooses and on His terms. However,
Habakkuk experiences extreme difficulty waiting for God’s answer. Similar to the examples above, he can create
unimaginable trouble for himself and others if he allows his anger to control
his attitude and approach as he waits for God’s answer to the two
complaints. Accordingly, Habakkuk errs
on the side of precaution and vigilance.
He stations himself on the ramparts, a protective and defensive position
where he can avoid surprise attack and injury.
Then, he steadfastly waits for God’s answer to ascertain whether His
response will be declarative, interrogative and exhortative. In fact, one biblical commentator suggests
that Habakkuk prepares himself for an extended discussion with God about
Habakkuk’s second complaint.
A practical and spiritual application of Habakkuk’s posture
and approach to waiting for a revelation from the Lord is finding refuge in the
Lord’s faithfulness and past kindnesses.
Deuteronomy posits memory as a form of prayer. When we reflect upon the Lord’s enduring
goodness and His countless past blessings, we obtain present reassurances of
His continual goodwill toward us. As we
wait, we do the next right thing as the Lord leads. The cumulative effect of our obedience will
be a greater revelation of God’s will and purpose for us. It is important to note that revelation
emerges within relationship. God does
not squander His knowledge and divine purposes upon persons who do not
establish and maintain a vibrant relationship with Him. Habakkuk appeals to Almighty God on the basis
of such a vibrant and perpetual rapport with God. Nonetheless, in order to receive any divine
knowledge, a disciple must be willing to wait.
Point II
– Habakkuk 2:3-4 – Write Down the Revelation!
True to His faithful character, the Lord reveals His will to
Habakkuk. He does so after He
orchestrates perfectly each detail of the vision. Hence, He says the vision unfolds at its
exact and perfect moment. God does not
leave any stones unturned nor does He neglect any aspects of revelation. He intervenes into the minutia of our
lives. Thus, we take courage in
realizing God’s favor relating to jobs, finances, relationships and other
significant components of daily living because He mysteriously and majestically
crafts each detail toward a positive outcome.
As the revelation materializes, the Lord instructs Habakkuk
to write it down. Life coaches contrasts
dreams and goals by insisting that the latter be put in writing with a
deadline. A dream may remain as a good
mental and heartfelt idea throughout a person’s life. In comparison, a goal possesses a specific
purpose and timeframe and means of attainment.
Applied spiritually, it is important to maintain a written prayer
journal to record God’s faithfulness in your life. Particularly, when the Lord reveals His will
to you, you should put in writing including the date, time and place as soon as
possible! Otherwise, you will forget
assuredly some aspect of His revealed will for you. As a consequence, confusion, frustration and
depression will fill the empty space in your mind and heart. Originally, the Word of the Lord was
transmitted orally as people in the Ancient Near East lived with a stalwart
oral culture. The printing press was not
developed until the sixteenth century.
Though biblical peoples had papyri, dried and hardened animals skins
used to make scrolls, they were very time consuming to complete and expensive
to maintain. Communities of people
listened to wise teachers and memorized what they taught. From the epics of Beowulf and The Odyssey to
the Old and New Testaments, stories and truth were shared orally in successive
generations. In time, memories fade and
people cannot resist the temptation to embellish stories with their won details. Thereby, the original truth and meanings are
lost and marred. To prevent this erosion
of main ideas, writing preserves the original words which offer the best
opportunity to later generations to receive the primary lessons of the
stories. Summarily, the Lord answers
Habakkuk’s complaint but directs the prophet to write it down to prevent any
later confusion about the revelation.
Also, Habakkuk is told to make it plain so that a herald
could run with it. In addition to the
use of simplicity in wording thus enabling anyone who reads the tablets to
memorize the saying, Habakkuk is supposed to write the revelation in large
letters. In contemporary technological
terms, he uses a font size that allows someone driving on the interstate and
passing his billboard to read and retain this revelation with ease. In Habakkuk’s historical setting, messages
were often transmitted by runners who memorized the story and details and ran
to its recipients. These runners were
known as heralds who shouted the message as they maintained the pace and
distance of a marathon runner. Various
Old Testament passages record the transmission of battle reports through
runners. King David awaits the arrival
of a runner to learn whether his beloved son, Absalom, has fallen in
battle. The runner arrives to reassure
the king that his enemies are dead and have not triumphed in their attempt to
dethrone him. But, David has one primary
question, “Is the young man, Absalom, still alive?” The runner repeats his words thereby
informing the king that his eldest son has fallen to the sword and been
consumed by his own hubris. Similarly,
Habakkuk writes God’s revelation so that any runner at the time can pronounce
it to the nation.
Oftentimes, God answers our prayers by saying, “Wait.” Albeit an annoying reply especially when you
are excited about pursuing an opportunity and you seek divine provision and
protection to do so, waiting is necessary as the Lord rearranges aspects of
your life to enable you to maximize this break.
We are also made to wait because we are not yet internally ready to
receive the blessing. Ninety-percent of
people who win a lottery drawing are bankrupt within five years of their lucky
day. Millions and sometimes hundreds of
millions of dollar flow through their hands and they do not know what to do
with them. They squander a blessing of a
lifetime because they lack the knowledge, wisdom and character to utilize their
overflow wisely. Hence, God’s revelation
unfolds when we are emotionally, physically, psychologically, mentally and
spiritually prepared to receive it, obey His direction and follow His
guidance.
The appointed time equates with kairos time, the perfect present tense of divine action and
intention, rather than chronos time,
the progressive course of human history and current earthly events. The Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard,
characterizes the Incarnation of Christ in human form and His Advent amongst
humankind as an act of eternity uniquely intervening in human affairs. Eternity stops chronology and redefines its
meaning. Hence, we date Church history
from the birth of Christ which begins the chronology of God’s actions to save
humankind through the gift of His “One and Only Begotten Son.” As disciples individually, privately and
rightly relate to Almighty God, He graciously reveals His “good, pleasing and
perfect will” for their personal lives.
Such direct and private revelations redefine a disciple’s mission,
purpose and service. They equip him with
clarity and comprehensive plans for achieving God’s will. In order to preserve the revelation’s intent
and lucidity, it is necessary to write it down.
When God tells us to wait, we often presume that He has
forgotten us. Impatience is a definite
challenge for contemporary disciples as we live in a scientifically advancing
and rapidly technologically oriented civilization inclusive seemingly of
information traveling at the speed of light.
From microwaveable meals to same-day postal delivery to video phone
calls traversing oceans and continents, we rarely have to wait for anyone or
anything. Misguidedly, we may demand the
same instantaneous responses of God. In
stark contrast, God through Habakkuk says the revelation will unfold in
accordance with His perfect timing.
Though it may seem that it lingers as we languish in agitation,
irritation and possibly depression, divine revelation assuredly emerges in our
lives. Simply, we must wait as the
revelation will come and not prove false.
As “it speaks of the end,” the revelation will yield total knowledge and
practical direction to encourage and empower disciples to fulfill the will of
God.
Point III
– Habakkuk – 2:4-5 – Faithfulness is the Key
Soberly, Habakkuk warns Judah about the coming wrath of God
as He will allow the Babylonians to punish His chosen people because of their
longstanding disobedience and infidelity toward Him. Referring to Babylonian in the third person
singular, Habakkuk characterizes the nation as an arrogant, “puffed up,” man
who trample upon anyone in his way. At
that time, an emerging superpower in the Ancient Near East, Babylon, the
inheritors of the Chaldeans, extract seemingly limitless taxes and duties from
weaker and vulnerable neighboring countries.
This was an occasion of a strong nation preying upon a weak one solely
because economic, political and military might permitted them to do so. Hence, the king of Babylon unjustly and
insatiably demanded these monies from Israel and Judah. No other country had the wherewithal to stop
these incessant and unfair tactics.
Politically, there were no national or regional alliances in which
countries collaborated to protect each other from a mutual adversary. Each nation was responsible for its own defense. Exacerbating Israel’s and Judah’s predicament
was the divided kingdom among the Jews and their disdain for anything
Gentile. More frustratingly, they face
the hard fact that their God who made a covenant with them now decides to leave
them to these dire circumstances. He
threatens to withhold His protective hand as certain doom coalesces.
The fourth and fifth verses of this second chapter of
Habakkuk depict a treacherous future enemy for Israel and Judah. Babylon has an insatiable appetite for the
wealth and resources of weaker nations.
Habakkuk describes the nation as “greedy as the grave” and “like death
is never satisfied.” What an eloquent
yet frightening image of a future opponent!
Perhaps, Habakkuk’s literary and poetic flourish partially hides the
utter devastation the nation will experience if they do not heed this divine
warning. When the prophecy is fulfilled
in the next generation, Habakkuk’s words concretize in the colossal loss of the
history, religion, literature and culture of Israel and Judah. The Babylonians leave nothing in place. They even subjugate the learned and most
talented persons in the both the Northern and Southern kingdoms and transport them
to Babylon to enrich their country and civilization. Ultimately, Babylon determines she will rule
the world and will take each nation captive until her total reign over the
nations of the earth is complete.
Understandably, many persons in Israel and Judah received
Habakkuk’s word with deep regret as they spiritually understood what lay ahead
for their posterity and civilization.
His prophecy catapulted them into the dark night of the soul as they
struggle to accept this divine sentence when they simultaneously recall the
Lord’s faithfulness to His people. They
might ask, “How could God permit such a tragedy in the lives of His
people?” Also, they wonder about the
indifference of their countrymen to God’s decrees and teachings. If only they would follow the covenant, then
Almighty God would avert the forthcoming destruction. How did the excesses of society become the
normal standard of behavior? Why is the
message of God powerless to transform the minds, hearts and behavior of their
fellow citizens? Is there still time to
repent and avoid the coming divine wrath?
Habakkuk actually considers and comforts his fellow Judeans
who ask these penetrating and perplexing questions. Yes, just and divine punishment will
devastate the nation through the chosen instrument of Babylon but the
“righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” Practically speaking, the persons in Israel
and Judah who persevere in their faith in God through a right relationship with
Him need not fear any aspects of the forthcoming doom and gloom. God shall remain their protector and provider
though He justly judges the nation where they reside. The authentically chosen people of God are
the persons who have dedicated their hearts to Him. Their stalwart faith in the Lord and His
faithfulness assures His provision and safety regardless of society’s
insanity. God will preserve His remnant
wherever they may be. The stories of
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job and even Habakkuk reveals God’s faithfulness
in shielding His remnant of genuine believers from the forces of nature,
politics, economics, war and religion.
Righteous people, persons who genuinely rely upon God’s righteousness
through their unwavering faith in His faithfulness, will live either on earth
or in eternity.
Point IV
– Habakkuk 3:17-19 – “I Will Trust in the Lord!”
Habakkuk ends his brief yet penetratingly powerful book of
prophecy with a profound prayer.
Initially, he appeals to God’s “fame” as Habakkuk recounts the mighty
deeds of Almighty God that he heard from his forbears. He cites the Lord incredible and limitless
power over natural forces. As the author
of the Universe, the Lord establishes natural law; thereby He can choose freely
to suspend it to further His sovereign purposes. The Lord reveals Himself as inherently kind
and good to anyone who faithfully serves Him.
Thus, Habakkuk details the many ways in which God continually demonstrates
His unfailing love and inexhaustible grace to His people. Specifically, the prophet references God’s
deliverance and salvation of His people in the midst of natural disasters and
military and political calamity. As a
consequence, Habakkuk, although his heart pounds, lips quiver, legs tremble and
bones decay, waits patiently for the deliverance and salvation of the Lord
which certainly will materialize.
In the three final verses of the book, Habakkuk’s poetic
flourish rises to a crescendo as he vividly depicts the necessity of rejoicing
in God’s faithfulness regardless of the surrounding circumstances. In the seventeenth verse, he paints
potentially one of the harshest possibilities for an agricultural people who
are very dependent upon the land for basic existence and livelihood. The absence of figs and produce foreshadows a
famine. The lack of olives means the
lack of oil for cooking, heat and light.
The loss of sheep and cattle results in a lack of meat, protein,
clothing and other by-products. He
verbally draws a canvass depicting the aftermath of utter destitution. This very staunch and bleak mosaic prefigures
the actual Babylonian captivity.
Nevertheless, Habakkuk boldly affirms in the next verse that he will
“rejoice in the Lord” and be “joyful in God my Savior.” What an incredulous and radical statement of
faith! Though wickedness within the
nation permeates every corner of the land and attack from a foreign enemy nears
the city gate without, Habakkuk affirms unwaveringly his trust in the Lord.
Habakkuk finishes his recorded prophecy with lyrics for a
song of faith to encourage and empower the remnant when trials and tribulations
emerge. The nineteenth verse is the
final stanza of this praise and worship song reminiscent of the Psalms. Habakkuk declares the Sovereign Lord is his
strength. His prophecy reveals the
fallacy in trusting in military might and natural resources. God will be as kind to the prophet and other
faithful believers as He is to deer in the wild that imminently face the loss
of their lives at the craftiness of a predator.
God will grant them His favor equating to the feet of a deer thereby
lifting them above the dire circumstances and bountifully blessing them in the
midst of tragedy.
The
Lesson Applied
Let’s
Talk About It
·
If you were counseling the victims of the most tragic
tornado in Moore, Oklahoma in May of last year, what would you suggest to them
if they were having a crisis of faith in God?
·
Do you have a favorite hymn or praise song that you sing in
difficult times?
·
Have you had a recent experience of a dark night for your
soul? Would you share your experience
with the class?
·
What are some practical and pragmatic ways to respond to
tragedies such a death, termination, divorce, loss of health, etc?
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