Perplexity Into Praise

When we experience confusion and frustration, there is often well-meaning advice that doesn’t completely give the best response. We’re often told to just talk it out or just dialogue. That’s a good start; however, we need to come to the point where we simply pray and trust God. One of the oldest questions humanity has asked is continued to be verbalized: Why do the righteous suffer and God just seems to be silent?

One of the more valuable lessons I believe we can learn from Habakkuk is that we need to patiently wait for God by spending time expressing ourselves in prayer and by studying His Word and letting the Holy Spirit speak to us through the Bible. Ultimately, it is in God that we have the opportunity to either receive the answer or experience a peaceful resolution to our doubts.

For the follower of Christ, our perplexity will turn into praise as we trust God.

What do we encounter as we come to verse 1, except for a simply explanation; A prayer of Habakkuk. We also see that it is a very emotional, powerful prayer. There is a Hebrew word that pops up which looks very strange; Shigionoth. A form of this word is used only in one other place and that is . It literally means to reel to and from. That is simply describing the fact that this prayer is presented in a very emotionally charged Hebrew form of poetry. It has within the word that which shows that it is somewhat musical in nature.

We are going to see that even though Habakkuk had some grave misgivings about God’s methodology, he has come to understand the great mysteries of God’s means as he understood more clearly God’s ultimate goal and purpose.

Recall & Request - 3:2

The prophet acknowledges that he has seen, or recalls, and is seeing God’s hand at work all around him in the world. The NIV and NLT translate the word fear as being filled (stand) in awe. This is not a terrifying fear, but rather almost like a jaw-dropping amazement of God and all He’s done, and all that He is going to do.

But Habakkuk asks for God to keep doing His work to completion. Habakkuk is basically making a request or petitioning God to do something. He’s not asking for revival in the sense that we normally understand the word revival to be used. It’s a request for God to keep working. Different translations use the words renew, refresh, keep alive the work that God is already doing.

The prophet’s confidence was based on the actual working of God in the life of His people previously. There was nothing mystical about this, but rather historical events where God has stepped in to work on Israel’s behalf. So, based on that, was the request for God to keep working and accomplish His will with His people.

He also understands that in that process there is going to be punishment and judgment for evil. However, he is asking God to remember mercy in the midst of the wrath. By requesting that God would do this is in order for His chosen to know that God still love and cares for them and makes Himself obvious in His strength and power to the other nations.

How wonderful to know that even in the midst of punishment or discipline, God is always ready to forgive a repentant people.

Reflection & Reminders - 3:3-15

In these verses, it is as if Habakkuk is reflecting and thinking through Israel’s history. And of course, with the Lord’s continued active involvement, there would be Jewish history. Most scholars see this section of verses as a theophany. The best explanation is this:

A theophany describes an appearance of God in great power and glory, often looking to the events of the exodus and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai.

Scholars refer to this language as “prophetic perfect” rather than our English equivalent of past, present, and future. In other words, the prophet was so confident that the events were going to take place that he speaks as if it had already happened. Habakkuk was convinced because of Who God is, that His perfect plan would happen exactly according to His perfect will

We might wonder why the prophet spends time thinking about the past. Quite frankly, it seems that as he reflects some of the events of their Jewish history, it would become clearer to all involved that God could be trusted to continue being actively involved with His chosen people then and in their future.

Even in the locations mentioned, there is intentionality, it seems. Teman and Mount Paran seem to be boundaries seen in Israel’s journey through the desert from Egypt. Some commentators suggest that there is great symbolism showing how from the giving of the Law to looking forward to the Holy Son of God as ultimate deliverance is seen in the last part of verse 3 into verse 4.

In addition, the word for God is not Yahweh, the name referring to Israel’s covenant God. Instead, it is Eloah. The is the name for the Creator and Lord of the earth. This is a much broader perspective, showing the relationship with the whole of the earth and His absolute sovereignty.

In verses 5-7, we see the incredible power in His righteous judgment. We see reflection back to the judgments upon Egypt before the great exodus. We see God’s wisdom as He surveys and evaluates before enacting His judgment.

Again, God’s incredible power is seen in His fierce anger in verses 8-10. We are also reminded of God’s sovereignty over all His creation, as He utilizes it for deliverance and for judgment. Another commentator stated: The mystery of judgment is salvation and the end of wrath is mercy.

This is even seen in verse 10, where the prophet spoke of the mountains saw You and quaked. This seems to be a picture of the fact that the Babylonians would also tremble and quake before God.

Interestingly, we see what seems to be a response from nature to God’s judgment and wrath being poured out. It almost seems to read as if the order of how creation operates was suspended for a bit while God executed judgment.

Then in verse 13, we are permitted to see a glimmer of hope. The reason for the wrath and judgment was that God might rescue or deliver or provide salvation for His chosen. Again, we are reminded of the incredible sovereign power of our God in verse 15.

As one writer suggested: Habakkuk saw in a past event the work of God. God’s power and majesty were the answers to Habakkuk’s needs. Having seen the awesome God who led his people from the south into the land of promise, Habakkuk saw that God could deal with the sin of Judah and with the arrogance of Babylon.

Perspective & Patience - 3:16

In this verse, it seems as if the prophet comes to his senses and understands what the here and now has in store. We often use the phrase my heart pounded; which is what the NIV uses to describe my inward parts trembled. He knows that a painful judgment is about to take place. He knows that it is a matter of just waiting for this to occur. My lips quivered is equivalent to us saying that our teeth chattered.

It is the reality that this is definitely going to take place and will not be pleasant; yet, there is nothing he can do but wait quietly and patiently. With Habakkuk’s total trust and reliance upon God, he would look beyond the immediacy of God’s judgment upon Israel to the annihilation of Babylon. He could completely and confidently trust that God would bring salvation to His chosen.

Interestingly, this is a wonderful picture of what we read in :

Isaiah 66:2 NASB95

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Then I recall .

Isaiah 6:5–7 NASB95

Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

You see, when you and I truly experience time with God and sense His activity in our lives and in the lives of others around us, we ought to have the same sort of experience. We should recognize our unworthiness before our amazing Lord and be in complete awe and reverence in His presence. We should understand that God is always with us and will never leave us. So, regardless of the state of our political system, the economics around us, the health and well-being of us and others, we don’t have any need to worry or fret. We should have the assurance that we can fully rely upon God.

Promises and Praise - 3:17-19

These verses which are filled with praise to God are often referred to in many Bible theology courses as a statement of faith in its own unique way. Nothing around Habakkuk had changed. Evil was still all around and his own people were in crisis mode. Yet, there is praise coming from Habakkuk. As we often hear today; We know the end and Jesus wins.

Though everything around me fail—the fields, the vineyards, the flocks, the herds—yet I will rejoice in the Lord. Even though there was nothing of Israel’s riches left to enjoy, no signs of prosperity, no national life, God would take care of them. We can understand that losing one of these things is not good. But to lose all of them would cause a terrible disaster from which one could hardly recover.

Even though the prophet was without strength, God would take care of him and give him the necessary strength to be able to endure the coming onslaught. How do we know this?

He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places. Even though all might be lost, we have not lost our relationship with the Lord. We can truly rejoice in Him regardless of circumstances. The hinds’ feet are the feet of a female deer who is extremely sure-footed on whatever terrain it finds itself. We won’t be knocked down by whatever life may throw at us.

And makes me walk on my high places.

Even though all might be lost, we have not lost our relationship with the Lord. We can truly rejoice in Him regardless of circumstances.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), . Even though all might be lost, we have not lost our relationship with the Lord. We can truly rejoice in Him regardless of circumstances.

This statement of faith is seen reflected in Paul’s letter in Philippians.

Philippians 4:11–13 NASB95

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I like how one commentator describes this section: He will see, not the works of God, but God himself. He will find his salvation, not in material prosperity, but in the giver and sustainer of life.

He will see, not the works of God, but God himself. He will find his salvation, not in material prosperity, but in the giver and sustainer of life.

Tim Shenton, Habakkuk: An Expositional Commentary, Exploring the Bible Commentary (Leominster, UK: Day One Publications, 2007), 88.

Conclusion

It is truly amazing that what took place in Habakkuk’s life, we also can experience. The prophet was forthright and went straight to the source of answer, God. He knew that God cared for him, as well as all those who are His chosen. In that situation, our prophet began to see everything with different eyes.

In all of this that we have gleaned from Habakkuk, we stand to be encouraged and strengthened even in our time in this world today. Many of us wonder often about what God is doing in the midst of all the evil and a seemingly abandonment of God and His Word even by those who claim to be followers of Christ.

Yet, we have a tremendous advantage over Habakkuk. We have the entirety of the Bible at our fingertips to study and to understand God’s perfect plan. We know how it’s all going to eventually culminate. Our minor prophet did not have such a blessing.

One scholar pointed out that though this is specifically dealing with Israel and the Babylonians, it is even relevant to our time today. God’s final reckoning with the wicked and the establishment of his order in all the earth … of the time when God brings his purpose for the earth to completion.

God’s final reckoning with the wicked and the establishment of his order in all the earth … of the time when God brings his purpose for the earth to completion.

Probably the most encouraging fact that we know that was unknown to Habakkuk was the fact that Jesus came as a man; lived among men with a sinless life, doing His Father’s will; died to pay for the penalty of sin; rose from the dead, fully God and fully man; ascended to be with the Father; and has promised to come again.

Just as Habakkuk, we should find ourselves rejoicing and praising God, fully living for Him. Sadly, how many of us find ourselves doubting and second-guessing God? How often do we turn to our own plans, showing confidence in ourselves? One writer stated: Though the worst things in life happen, believers need a faith which depends on the God of the universe and worships him as the true Lord of life.

Though the worst things in life happen, believers need a faith which depends on the God of the universe and worships him as the true Lord of life.

I appreciate what Warren Wiersbe stated about the lessons we should learn from Habakkuk. When we encounter problems and obstacles in life, and we most assuredly will, Wiersbe states that we need to:

(1) admit them honestly;

Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), .

(2) talk to God about them;

(3) wait quietly before Him in prayer and meditation on the Word;

(4) when He speaks, listen and obey. Never run away from the difficulties of life, because God wants to use those difficulties to strengthen your faith.

For the follower of Christ, our perplexity will turn into praise as we trust God.

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