Criticism

Something that we have all experienced is criticism, by another or our own criticism of another, or of oneself.

I have found myself being critical of myself as well as others, when we take time and realize that those feelings go against what God desires for his children. As Christians we are meant to be kind loving and provide constructive guidance to others.

Have you ever heard anyone blame and criticize God? When they experience misfortune in life, believing that God has deserted them.

Criticism, amongst believers

Harsh criticism is out of place among believers, who are urged to see each other in the best possible light.

(

The New International Version Chapter 5

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Harsh criticism is out of place among believers, who are urged to see each other in the best possible light. Criticism of God arises from a failure to understand his actions and purposes.

Criticism of God arises from a failure to understand his actions and purposes.

(

The New International Version Chapter 1

Habakkuk’s Complaint

2 How long, LORD, must I call for help,

but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, “Violence!”

but you do not save?

3 Why do you make me look at injustice?

Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?

Destruction and violence are before me;

there is strife, and conflict abounds.

4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,

and justice never prevails.

The wicked hem in the righteous,

so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk cannot understand why God is ignoring the rampant corruption that he sees all around him in Judah. He has often cried to God in anguish but has received no answer. God’s failure to answer the prophet’s call may indicate Habakkuk’s fear that perhaps he is out of fellowship with God.

God replies that he is about to do something quite extraordinary. He is bringing in the armies of Babylon—the strongest, cruelest and most unscrupulous force on earth. A self-made people who worship their creator. () Habakkuk’s Second Complaint 12 LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. 13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? 14 You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. 15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. 17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?

Patterson, R. D. (1995). Habakkuk. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 668). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. Habakkuk’s Second Complaint 12 LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. 13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? 14 You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. 15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. 17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy? The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

() 9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

justice, of God

The moral righteousness of God is revealed in his laws and expressed in his judicial acts. God’s commands and judgments meet perfect standards of justice, and his apportioning of punishments and rewards is also perfectly just. God’s justice is impartial. Special praise is his for vindicating the penitent and the needy who have no human champions. Ultimately, all God’s ways will be seen as just and equitable.

Reference

Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 381). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.

Patterson, R. D. (1995). Habakkuk. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 668). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.