The Righteous Will Live by Faith
Notes
Transcript
1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Introduction
Introduction
The prophetic career of Habakkuk was between 612 – 589 BC. By the time of his pronouncement, the nation of Israel has been divided a few centuries with ten tribes in the northern kingdom called Israel under Assyrian captivity due to idolatry and other covenant breaking disobedience. Like Israel, Judah in the south also struggled to remain faithful to their covenant relationship with God. Within this context, Habakkuk receives an oracle from God in which a grim judgment is about to come upon Judah. However, the means of judgment that God instructs Habakkuk to reveal causes him to question God, especially in light of what he knows of God’s character and of promises God made to Israel and Judah in the past.
Main Idea
Main Idea
As we examine the writings of Habakkuk together I want us to consider the overall theme.
As we examine the writings of Habakkuk together I want us to consider the overall theme.
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Purpose and Theological Teaching > Habakkuk, Book Of
The main purpose of Habakkuk’s prophecy is to explain what a godly person’s attitude should be toward the presence of evil in the world. It also addresses the nature of God’s justice in punishing moral evil.
Thomas E. McComiskey, “Habakkuk, Book Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 907.
Message
Message
Habakkuk receives from God an oracle (or a burden of the heart) (Hab 1:1). Upon receiving this burden he complains (Hab 1:2-4).
Habakkuk receives from God an oracle (or a burden of the heart) (Hab 1:1). Upon receiving this burden he complains (Hab 1:2-4).
1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw.
2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
He observes oppression, violence, conflict, and debate that seem to paralyze godly living because the law of God is rejected, leaving only injustice to remain (Hab 1:2-4).
He observes oppression, violence, conflict, and debate that seem to paralyze godly living because the law of God is rejected, leaving only injustice to remain (Hab 1:2-4).
From Habakkuk’s human perspective, God has been inactive when the people of God have cried out. Evil surrounds them, and God should have acted to alleviate their anguish.
From Habakkuk’s human perspective, God has been inactive when the people of God have cried out. Evil surrounds them, and God should have acted to alleviate their anguish.
Similar to that 1971 release by the late Marvin Gaye, Habakkuk, thousands of years before, asked the question,
Similar to that 1971 release by the late Marvin Gaye, Habakkuk, thousands of years before, asked the question,
“What’s going on?”
“What’s going on?”
“God, why are you not acting now?”
“God, why are you not acting now?”
The prophet’s essential question resonates today as we, during a time of socio-economic unrest, compounded with a global health pandemic, also ponder why God seems vacant as evil persists.
The prophet’s essential question resonates today as we, during a time of socio-economic unrest, compounded with a global health pandemic, also ponder why God seems vacant as evil persists.
In response to Habakkuk’s first enquiry (Hab 1:2-4), God tells him that He is doing a work in the prophet’s lifetime (Hab 1:5). God declares this work to be so incredible, that if God was not revealing it to him, Habakkuk would not otherwise believe it (Hab 1:5-6).
In response to Habakkuk’s first enquiry (Hab 1:2-4), God tells him that He is doing a work in the prophet’s lifetime (Hab 1:5). God declares this work to be so incredible, that if God was not revealing it to him, Habakkuk would not otherwise believe it (Hab 1:5-6).
[NOTE: We cannot understand God’s ways | Isa 40:28; 55:8 | the infinite mind of God is incomprehensible to our finite human minds | What we know about God, He chooses to reveal.]
[NOTE: We cannot understand God’s ways | Isa 40:28; 55:8 | the infinite mind of God is incomprehensible to our finite human minds | What we know about God, He chooses to reveal.]
As a part of God’s purposes, He raises up the nation of Babylon who is bitter, hasty, violent, and arrogant (Hab 1:5-10).
As a part of God’s purposes, He raises up the nation of Babylon who is bitter, hasty, violent, and arrogant (Hab 1:5-10).
5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.
7 They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves.
8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour.
9 They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand.
10 At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.
The Babylonians (or Chaldeans) are dreaded and feared by the known world during this time. Their sense of justice and well-being come from military conquest. Justice in the mind of the Babylonians was linked to might. In other words, since I’m winning and my “opps” is losing, I must be in the right (Hab 1:5-11).
The Babylonians (or Chaldeans) are dreaded and feared by the known world during this time. Their sense of justice and well-being come from military conquest. Justice in the mind of the Babylonians was linked to might. In other words, since I’m winning and my “opps” is losing, I must be in the right (Hab 1:5-11).
Never mind that I’m spreading wickedness, violence, terror, and oppression. Never mind that I’m living in luxury from the exploitation of other image bearers of God (Hab 1:16). Because I am successful in my conquest, I am therefore justified.
Never mind that I’m spreading wickedness, violence, terror, and oppression. Never mind that I’m living in luxury from the exploitation of other image bearers of God (Hab 1:16). Because I am successful in my conquest, I am therefore justified.
This is the idolatrous mindset of the Babylonians who worship their might as God (Hab 1:11). Their way of living meant a commitment to exercise military superiority over surrounding nations that included the exploitation of these nation’s people and resources.
This is the idolatrous mindset of the Babylonians who worship their might as God (Hab 1:11). Their way of living meant a commitment to exercise military superiority over surrounding nations that included the exploitation of these nation’s people and resources.
God affirms the wickedness of Babylon. Then, He tells Habakkuk that He will raise up this nation to judge and reprove Judah for her disobedience (Hab 1:5, 12).
God affirms the wickedness of Babylon. Then, He tells Habakkuk that He will raise up this nation to judge and reprove Judah for her disobedience (Hab 1:5, 12).
[NOTE: This is predictive prophecy. God reveals a depth to His power and knowledge by telling Habakkuk about future events He will bring to pass.]
[NOTE: This is predictive prophecy. God reveals a depth to His power and knowledge by telling Habakkuk about future events He will bring to pass.]
In response to what God has revealed, Habakkuk follows up by asking God if He will continue to let the merciless killing of nations by the wicked persist (Hab 1:16-17)?
In response to what God has revealed, Habakkuk follows up by asking God if He will continue to let the merciless killing of nations by the wicked persist (Hab 1:16-17)?
Will God allow a wicked nation to continue to do evil forever? Habakkuk takes his stand and waits for a response from God. (Heb 2:1)
Will God allow a wicked nation to continue to do evil forever? Habakkuk takes his stand and waits for a response from God. (Heb 2:1)
God responds by telling Habakkuk to record and then share the vision with Judah (Hab 2:2-3).
God responds by telling Habakkuk to record and then share the vision with Judah (Hab 2:2-3).
[NOTE: This is more predictive prophecy.]
[NOTE: This is more predictive prophecy.]
God confirms that judgment will come, even if it seems slow (Hab 2:3). Then, by means of a contrast of two types of people, God reveals the responsibility of a godly person.
God confirms that judgment will come, even if it seems slow (Hab 2:3). Then, by means of a contrast of two types of people, God reveals the responsibility of a godly person.
One type of individual is the arrogant person, who shrinks back in weakness because they are not truly upright (Hab 2:4; c.f. Heb 10:38).
One type of individual is the arrogant person, who shrinks back in weakness because they are not truly upright (Hab 2:4; c.f. Heb 10:38).
OUR RESPONSIBILITY: [God reveals the conduct that a person of faith should have in response to times of suffering.]
OUR RESPONSIBILITY: [God reveals the conduct that a person of faith should have in response to times of suffering.]
In contrast to the arrogant, the righteous person is not puffed up, does not draw back, shrink, or become weak, but lives by faith or faithfulness to God.
In contrast to the arrogant, the righteous person is not puffed up, does not draw back, shrink, or become weak, but lives by faith or faithfulness to God.
The righteous continues to trust in and obey God (Hab 2:4). Trust His holy character. Trust in His promises.
The righteous continues to trust in and obey God (Hab 2:4). Trust His holy character. Trust in His promises.
Jesus affirms that one with genuine faith will live by it to the bearing of fruit (Mt 13:23).
Jesus affirms that one with genuine faith will live by it to the bearing of fruit (Mt 13:23).
James echoes the reality that under trial when one remains steadfast in their faith they will live (Jas 1:12).
James echoes the reality that under trial when one remains steadfast in their faith they will live (Jas 1:12).
Other NT books of Romans (Rom 1:17), Galatians (Gal 3:11) and Hebrews (Heb 10:38) quote Habakkuk 2:4.
Other NT books of Romans (Rom 1:17), Galatians (Gal 3:11) and Hebrews (Heb 10:38) quote Habakkuk 2:4.
Questions?
Questions?
How will we respond as we live in a world soaked with evil? In arrogance, do we throw in the white towel and give up?
How will we respond as we live in a world soaked with evil? In arrogance, do we throw in the white towel and give up?
Do we join and attempt to justify it in our minds as many do?
Do we join and attempt to justify it in our minds as many do?
Or do we cling to the most precious faith in the Lord of all creation?
Or do we cling to the most precious faith in the Lord of all creation?
Do we continue in faithfulness to Him?
Do we continue in faithfulness to Him?
[NOTE: God knows the human heart]
God reveals that the Babylonians conduct themselves with their own sense of justice and dignity that they affirm by their military prowess (Hab 1:8). God lets Habakkuk know that in reality, the Babylonians are delusional, arrogant, and greedy with desires that cannot be satisfied (Hab 2:5).
God then prompts Habakkuk to pronounce a series of woes that speak of pending judgment for Babylon because of their idolatrous beliefs that prompted their evil behavior (Hab 2:6-19).
God will judge this nation who will receive shame instead of the glory they seek (Hab 2:16-17).
What does idolatrous living profit? God asks this rhetorical question (Hab 2:18).
In the midst of violence and bloodshed in the name of human conquest, God will ultimately be glorified in all the earth. God remains holy and undiminished in sovereignty (Hab 2:17-20.
[NOTE: The violence included people, vegetation (cedar trees in Lebanon – Hab 2:11) and the wild animals (Hab 2:17).]
Some people go to idols for instruction or to learn which way to go, for guidance (Hab 2:18). Idols are lifeless, false and represent a breach or crack in our of faith (Hab 2:18).
However, YHWH (the Self-Existent One) how has not been created, He has always existed. God, unlike speechless idols is the true source of instruction or guidance who is holy! So keep silence before Him (Hab 2:20). Listen to Him and follow Him by faith.
In reaction to all God has shared, Habakkuk prays that God will be merciful as He pours out His wrath on the unrighteous. Remember your chosen people he pleads (Hab 3). Finally, Habakkuk declares,
“I will take joy in the God of my salvation. [1]
In difficult times, will we like the man of God take joy in the God of our salvation? Will we continue in the faith?
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
but the righteous shall live by his faith.”[2]
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Hab 3:18.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Hab 2:4.