When you are having your conversation with God, what do you do when God gives you the answer you don’t want? That is exactly what happened to Habakkuk. The prophet was astonished, just as God said he would be (v. 5). He was appalled that the Heavenly Father would employ such an evil instrument as the Chaldeans to punish Judah. Habakkuk not only expressed his deep concern about God’s plan, but he questioned God’s plan as well. How and why would God use a people of such great iniquity to judge them?
People around the world and from all cultures are asking the same type questions. Why is there so much tension and hate? Where is justice and why does injustice appear to be prevailing? Where is God and why does He not clean up this horrible mess the we
Habakkuk had several questions he wanted to ask God, and he wanted God to respond to him. This message analyzes the first series of questions Habakkuk asked God in his first conversation with Him.
This section of Habakkuk’s writing is easily distinguished from the first five verses by a transition to God as the speaker. God answered Habakkuk and He will answer you. Just remember, He may not answer your questions the way you think He will, but you m
When you are having your conversation with God, what do you do when God gives you the answer you don’t want? That is exactly what happened to Habakkuk. The prophet was astonished, just as God said he would be (v. 5). He was appalled that the Heavenly Father would employ such an evil instrument as the Chaldeans to punish Judah. Habakkuk not only expressed his deep concern about God’s plan, but he questioned God’s plan as well. How and why would God use a people of such great iniquity to judge them?
Sometimes God’s answer does not align with our expectations. How does one reconcile the discrepancies in what they want, with what God says? How do you bring your emotions and your spirit into compliance with God’s will?
As an introduction to the woeful taunt-songs the prophecy itself commences. God gave Habakkuk His summary condemnation of the conceited character of the Chaldeans. God has informed Habakkuk that He was aware of the injustices that was taking place in Judah. Not only was He going to use the Chaldeans to punish the Jews, but He was also going to punish the Chaldeans as well.
The destruction of Babylon in God’s comments to Habakkuk was announced in five woes agains the Chaldeans. We see the juxtaposition of crime and punishment that pervades each of the five woes. Judgment would commence, because of the years of cruelty and violence imposed upon others by the Chaldeans. Enough is enough. It is past time to judge the injustices. Many feel the same way about their circumstances today.
Learning of God’s just plan to destroy Babylon, Habakkuk bowes in humble adoration. His majestic prayer and hymn of praise followed.
Verse 3 introduces us to a theophany of God; a visual manifestation of God. We can call it, “God’s arrival.” How many today are waiting on God’s arrival? Hey, my friend, God has already arrived! If God seems far away, guess who moved? It wasn’t God. Therefore, we must focus our attention, faith, and energy on His presence. We cannot allow our supposed injustices to permit God’s presence and power to appear to be far away.
With God’a arrival in verse 3, Habakkuk in his song begins the attempt to describe God’s appearance. Can you imagine trying to describe God. Think about this: One day we will not only see God, but we shall be like Him. Unbelievable, but true! Everyone who has their hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Habakkuk has prepared us for God’s arrival and His appearance. He now readies us for God’s action. As we wait for His arrival and anticipated His appearance, we are filled with expectation as to His action. God directed Habakkuk through the dialogue (chap. 1) in which He revealed His plans for disciplining Judah and destroying Babylon. Then at God’s command Habakkuk recorded a woeful dirge (chap. 2) that further justified God’s judgment on Babylon. Finally, the prophet reached a pinnacle of praise in which God revealed Himself in all His glory and power. The doxology (chap. 3) concluded with Habakkuk’s unwavering trust in the Lord.