Habakkuk’s Praise

Series: “The Minor Prophets”

Text: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Introduction: (What?)

It seems that today people have difficulty praising God. Often thanksgiving and praise are intermingled. Most palaces in Biblical times were surrounded by walls with a guarded gate allowing one into the courtyard. One could enter the courtyard and still not be in the presence of the King. Psa 100: 4 Differentiates between the two

“4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.”

We get into the courtyard via the gate by giving thanks to our King for His activity on our behalf. We gain access to his courts, where he is, by praise. Praise, in the original Greek, means to sing, to tell of, to give, or to confess. My simplistic definition is “to brag ON God TO God.” That is, tell Him what you love about Him that doesn’t include what we’re thanking Him for. A look in Rev 4:8-11 “8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come. 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say, 11 Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”

Having received answers to his first two prayers, Habakkuk launched into a song of praise to God. The fact that the last words are directed to “the choir director” with directions for the accompaniment to be stringed instruments indicates that this was to be sung by a choir/congregation as a part of their worship of God.

Examination: (Why?)

1. The Scuttlebutt on God

Hab 3:2 “2 Lord, I have heard the report about you; Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive your work in these years; make it known in these years. In your wrath remember mercy!”

The word “scuttlebutt” means “water cooler talk”. It had its origin on ships where sailors would gather around the drinking fountain and swap stories. Habakkuk said, “I’ve heard what people are saying about you God and it blows me away.” It drives me to pray… “please do what You have done in the past, so that everyone will remember.” And then he adds, “In Your wrath, remember mercy.”

Notice that he does not ask God to end His wrath, which is deserved by those on whom it falls, but he begs that God be merciful in the midst of His wrath. For example, when I pray for Ukraine, I ask two things. 1. that God would be merciful to the people of Ukraine and 2. That He would bring the war to an end. Even as I ask those, I acknowledge that God may well have a purpose for allowing the war. That being true, it will only end when His purpose is satisfied.

The “scuttlebutt” on how God has used war for His purposes is found throughout the OT. When we read about it, we , like Habakkuk, will be blown away. We should also be driven to prayer for His mercy.

2. The Exploits of God

Having acknowledged that he has heard about God, Habakkuk began to tell all he knew about God and His actions. This is praise.

Hab 3:3-15 “3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah ( The New American Standard Hebrew Lexicon defines the Hebrew word (סֶֽלָה) as “to lift up, exalt.”) It also means to “pause, think about what has just been said”. Don’t rush on, let the meaning sink in. BTW, Habakkuk is the only place outside of the Psalms that the word “selah” is used.

His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise. 4 His brilliance (Shekinah glory; Although the word does not appear in scripture, the concept; the presence of God in manifest form i.e. pillar of cloud or fire is found in several places) is like light; rays are flashing from his hand. This is where his power is hidden. 5 Plague goes before him, and pestilence follows in his steps. 6 He stands and shakes the earth; he looks and startles the nations. The age-old mountains break apart; the ancient hills sink down. His pathways are ancient. 7 I see the tents of Cushan in distress; the tent curtains of the land of Midian tremble. 8 Are you angry at the rivers, Lord? Is your wrath against the rivers? Or is your fury against the sea when you ride on your horses, your victorious chariot? 9 You took the sheath from your bow; the arrows are ready to be used with an oath. Selah You split the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains see you and shudder; a downpour of water sweeps by. The deep roars with its voice and lifts its waves high. 11 Sun and moon stand still in their lofty residence at the brightness of your shining spear. You march across the earth with indignation; You trample down the nations in wrath. You come out to save Your people, to save Your anointed. You crush the leader of the house of the wicked and strip him from foot to neck.”

This “psalm of praise” was born out of remembrance of God’s manifest presence among and on behalf of His chosen people. In our hymnals today we have basically two types of songs. Songs of Praise and adoration, and songs of admonition. Songs of praise and adoration are directed to God. (example: “Holy, Holy, Holy”) Songs of admonition are directed to man ABOUT God. (example: “To God be the Glory”)

In this passage Habakkuk is directing His praise TOWARD God and remembering all that He has done, especially during the Exodus which included Mt Sinai, the wilderness wanderings, and the crossings of the Red Sea and the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

We we reflect on all that God HAS DONE is becomes easier for us to focus on what He IS DOING and what He WILL DO. We get all of this from scripture. Reading from the books of history tell us what He has done. Reading from the prophets tell us both what He is doing and will do. Reading from wisdom literature shows us how God works. Reading from the NT shows us how He worked when on earth (Jesus) and through believers (Acts and the Epistles) and what He is doing and will do (Revelation).

3. The Response of Habakkuk (Hab

3:16-19 “16 I heard, and I trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Rottenness entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress to come against the people invading us.

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, 18 yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! 19 The Lord my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights! For the choir director: on stringed instruments.”

Habakkuk then recounted how he felt as he remembered God’s activity. In v 16 he has softened his stance somewhat form the belligerent “I’m going to stand here and wait for His answer.” to a quieter, Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress to come against the people invading us. That is our position today. We are surrounded by evil. It seems that those in power are able to do whatever they want whenever they want to whomever they want. But because we know how God has worked through the ages, we can quietly wait for His deliverance of those who trust Him.

Then he says, “No matter what happens, I will still praise God and rejoice in Him.”

Application: (How I will respond to this message)

Surrender to God means leaning fully on Him.

Recognize that you will never be saved by your own efforts.

Realize that discipline is necessary in order for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

Relax in the realization that God will deliver His people in His time.