“Hold Fast to Faith: The Righteous Live by their Faith in God.”

Habakkuk 2: 1-4 Outline Introduction: Habakkuk’s Proposal and God’s Response (Habakkuk 2:1-4)

Historical backdrop. Here we have our prophet - we recognize as one of the minor prophets - Habakkuk. Habakkuk the prophetic utterance in the passage around 605 BC., just prior to the fall of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. This period is just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Little is known about Habakkuk, possibly a Levitical priest or musician based on the 3rd chapter instructing that the Psalm be put to music. There arose an evil king in their midst - King Jehoiakim who came to reign during a period when the moral compass of Judah was violence and wickedness. Habakkuk was considered one of the 12 Minor prophets - who carried no less prophetic anointing than our Major prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel… simply their books were shorter.

I. The Watch: Habakkuk’s Proposal (2:1)

A. Habakkuk’s Position: Literal or Figurative? (2:1a) 1. What is Habakkuk’s concern?

The core message of Habakkuk to the southern kingdom- Judah is that they will suffer at the hand of their enemies. Judah will be held captive by Babylon. The preceding Chapter 1 Habakkuk questions God on why he allows a wicked nation to wreak havoc on His righteous people. Habakkuk is very poignant in his address to God: “…Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Hab 1: 13). Habakkuk’s complaint was similar to Job 19:7: “Though I cry ‘Violence’, I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.”

Although some have suggested that Habakkuk’s dialogue with God is arrogant, haughty and somewhat boisterous ‘How long will I cry and you not answer’, ‘Why are you silent when the wicked swallow us up’ 1:13. This is not so. I submit that as God’s prophet Habakkuk was comfortable speaking with God - this was their conversational style, if you will. He asks a question, God responds. The prophet has great reverence for God, exalts and exhorts Him: “Oh God, my Holy One; you are from everlasting, My Rock.” Habakkuk was not being gratuitous, but wanted God to know he was grateful for His presence. They have a relationship with one another. As such, the prophet has very forward, direct questions to his God. He simply feels he’s answering a question and His loving Father has the answer. He is not expecting a reprimand but a genuine expectation. (Moody 1390)

2. Standing His Ground

Habakkuk presents and positions himself as a Watchman in preparation to hear from God. Habakkuk took a position, much like the military watchman who had a post above the city looking out for the approach of enemy armies. Wherever his watch post was, and I believe it to be literally - the prophet went there to withdraw from normal society and concentrate specifically on God and what God would say when God decided to speak. The prophet knew he could not give an answer himself and would be permitted to speak again only when he received the divine decision. He had to hear from God himself for clarity and to carry the right word to the people of Judah.

The example of Habakkuk standing on his watch, standing his ‘ground’ - I am reminded of the story of a Roman sentinel that truly exemplified ‘Standing Watch’.

Pompeii’s Sentinel (Illustration 1 -Habakkuk 2:1- Stand my Watch ) When Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79- there were many people buried in the ruins who were afterwards found in very different positions. Whole cities were swallowed up, people were buried alive. There were some found in deep vaults, as if they had gone there for security. There were some found in lofty chambers. But where did they find the Roman sentinel? They found him standing at the city gate where he had been placed by the captain, with his hands still grasping the weapon. There, while the earth shook beneath him; there, while the floods of ashes and cinders overwhelmed him, he had stood at this post; and there, after a thousand years, he was found. Tragic story, but what an example of duty - remind us as Christians to stand by our post at which the Captain places us. B. Awaiting God’s response (2:1b) 1. Habakkuk’s Yearning Habakkuk yearns to hear from God. He wants God to explain what he has failed to understand. 2. Anticipating a response: Fear or Faith? He is not in fear of God’s response, Habakkuk is not expecting a rebuke from God. 3. What is Habakkuk’s expectation? Habakkuk expects a genuine corrective response from God - Proverbs 3:11 says ‘do not despise the Lord’s discipline, do not resent his rebuke’. He may have remember the wisdom of Solomon here ‘the Lord disciplines (chastises) those he loves.’ (3:12) II. The Revelation: God’s Response (2:2-3) A. A Command to Write the Revelation (2:2)

Habakkuk, the prophet is commanded to write a vision on a tablet, reminiscent of the law written on tablets of stone hundreds of years before. God commands Habakkuk to write the vision of what was to come – future fulfillment of a promise to destroy Judah’s enemy and deliver them at an appointed time. The stone tablet represented permanency. The writing had to be clear and plain on the tablet, perhaps in large letters that those passing by speedily would ‘get the message’. And obey it. Hebrew word for make it plain is ‘bar’ or ‘declare it plainly’ 1. What is the purpose of the revelation? This revelation was critical was two fold and critical to the people of Judah. It required 1) permanency (written in stone); 2) it required clear writing for passersby. Yes they will be taken into captivity by the Babylonians, the Babylonians would then be judged by God and destroyed. The revelation also addressed a time in the far distant future - the 2nd coming of Christ of which they had not experienced the birth of Christ in their lifetime and would not… for hundreds of years. 2. Who are the recipients?

The people of Judah- the Southern Kingdom were the recipients of the revelation. Habakkuk served as the prophet for Judah during that era and King Jehoiakim was the king of Judah.

B. A Command to Wait for its Promise (2:3)

Herein lies a very important point of scripture - the command to wait on promise fulfillment. The Lord adds a warning for Habakkuk to be patient in looking for the fulfillment of the vision or revelation: it has an appointed time. One translation says it like this: it is not yet time for it to come true.” 1. God provides a promise

God warned the prophet to wait on the prophecy. The answer of God would surely come. That is why the prophet was instructed to ‘write down the message’. From Habakkuk’s standpoint the prophecy might be slow to fruition. The tablets would preserve the prophecy through time and one would be able to reference it historically. God knows the ending from the beginning and already the solution and would only reveal it on his timetable. Not before its time.

2. Patience is a virtue. (Illustration 2-To Make Doubly Precious (Habakkuk 3b – Wait on God)) Be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. God waited four thousand years, till the fullness of time, according to scripture - then sends His Son. Our times are in His hands; He will avenge us - his people speedily; He will make haste for our help, and not delay one hour too long. But on his time. Our time is in his hands. III. The Righteous and Faith in God (2:4)

The 4th verse is the key verse in Habakkuk. It brings about a contrast between Judah’s soon to be oppressors - the ‘proud Babylonians’ who had made their strength their god (1:11) and the righteous person … who will live by his faith in God. But wait! What faith are we addressing in the text: Is it God’s faithfulness to us or our faith in God? The text utilizes the Hebrew word emunah or ‘live by his faith’ or our faith (in God). The word is not just believing a statement about God… but it is a life of full reliance upon Him. Not just believing but taking what you believe to the next level – acting on what you believe. A. Characteristics of an Enemy (2:4) Let look at Judah’s oppressor: who were they? 1) also known as the Chaldeans 2) greatest military power of the time 3) they mocked kings and rulers 4) they were very wicked (1: 13) 5) worshipped themselves. Yet God would use them to judge the nation He called to worship Him. Even still they would be punished. B. Characteristics of the Righteous (2:4) Those who would live by their faith in God. The righteous live by the faith in God’s justice as God will judge the wicked (Babylon). We are not to concern ourselves with the wicked ones design… just trust, have faith in God. Believe that he will take care of us and exact judgement on those in need of judgement. That is the problem with believers today: we are so concerned about the ungodly receiving their due… we are not focusing on what God is doing for us.

Our trust is not just in God’s actions to bring us out of the storm, but in his timing in bringing us out and judging the wicked. His appointed time. It will not delay (2:3) C. The Righteous Prevails through Faith in God (2:4)

You have faith in God now we act out our faith by DOING. (Illustration 3) Dr Martin Luther King said it this way: “faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

You can’t just believe in the stairs and settle for knowing the stairs are there. You have to climb the stairs. James, the brother of Jesus intimates the same - ‘faith without works is dead’ (Jm 2:17) or faith by itself if not accompanied by action is dead (NIV). Habakkuk may have had Abraham in mind when he tells Judah ‘but the righteous person will live by his faith in God.vs 4. Abraham had faith in God, but his faith was put in action when he laid his son on the altar. The people of Judah’s faith would be put to the test. They would wait a long time for God to judge Babylon and deliver his people. We are considered righteous not just by faith alone, but by what we do. We can say we have faith in God- but where is the action (me). The action is when we are steadfast, firm and faithful (emunah)

Conclusion:

Christians that face hardships and we all do at one time or another as born again, the ‘elect’ of God, and as Peter describes a ‘royal priesthood, a holy nation’ – why do we suffer at the hand of our enemy? Why is the trial so great? In a smaller context, how do those ‘more wicked’ receive the new job promotion, new home, other gains in life and platitudes along the way? Yet the believer suffers. On a larger scale, why did a ‘God-fearing nation’ suffer at the hands of terrorists on September 11th, 2001? There were several in the religious sector that addressed God had ‘cast judgment on America’ and sent her enemy to carry forth said judgment. As Habakkuk stated, and Americans may have felt similarly “Why are you silent (God) while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (1:13b).

We trust God - for the revelation of what awaited them was for an appointed time. The enemy will be defeated. We are to be steadfast and faithful. We do not falter. We live by our faith in God.

God commanded Habakkuk to instruct his people to ‘wait’ for the revelation to be fulfilled (v 3b). Although it may appear to be a long time forthcoming – wait for it. I liken this wait or ‘holding pattern’ to an airplane in a holding pattern, it is instructed to continue to fly while waiting for permission to land. If the aircraft does not maintain this holding pattern with other airplanes within 3 to 4 miles distance- calamity is the result. When we do not wait on God, we can experience disastrous results. God tells Habakkuk to instruct Judah that they must wait as the revelation of their deliverance would surely come to past. Although they will be in a holding pattern – they must continue to wait. The revelation will not be delayed longer than intended. We must wait on God as the righteous live by their faith in Him.

The revelation that God promised Judah is yet to be fulfilled for us today - the Second coming of Christ. Hebrews 10:37 speaks of the same “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” We are to remain faithful to Jesus until the Lord returns.

Hold Fast to Faith: The Righteous (truly) Live by their Faith in God.”