Can You Hear me Now?

Habakkuk’s Complaint

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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?

The prophets of old were always crying out to God for retribution against those who are evil. Often times the cry was about, “why do the rich continue to do bad things and you do nothing to stop them?” Now understand this is my words not theirs, but you get the idea, right? Verse 3 says, (NRSV)

3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me;

and look at trouble?

Destruction and violence are before me;

strife and contention arise.

We can get caught up in seeing the wrongdoings of others, if we are not careful. Why would that be a problem? (NRSV)

4 So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous—

and justice never prevails.

The wicked surround the righteous—

therefore judgment comes forth perverted. Do you see what happens? paralyzed. We can become so focused on the wrongdoings of others that we fall in the trap of being paralyzed. Scripture tells us that the law becomes paralyzed. Justice never goes forth. When we focus on the actions of others our actions can stop. The people in this Biblical story focused on why don’t you do something God, and it states that the law became paralyzed. We are told to love our neighbor, but if our neighbors actions have us at a standstill the law becomes paralyzed.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2 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.

Habakkuk gives us a vision of him standing lookout as he waits to hear from God. Now this can be a paralyzing position to hold. Imagine, if you will, that you have been positioned by the Army Commander to watch from a high position, or lookout, to give report about enemy strategy. During this appointment you can see the actions of both sides, you watch as your friends and family are killed or captured. You have nothing you can do but continue to give report of the maneuvers and pray.

Can we agree that this is a difficult and paralyzing position to be in? But watch and see that if someone is willing to wait and listen God will answer. (NRSV)

2 Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. Now, most of us do not run, but we do drive. How hard is it to read a sign while driving? My wife and I like to go to yard sales, well she likes to go. Some people have figured out how to make a sign that allows someone driving by to notice it and others not so much.

Write the vision;

(NRSV)

make it plain on tablets,

3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. You understand that when you are waiting and watching the battle, it can seem as though there is no vision; no answer from God. But He is still working in our church, in our world. We need people willing to be in the watch tower, praying for an answer.

it speaks of the end, and does not lie.

so that a runner may read it.

(NRSV)

If it seems to tarry, wait for it;

4 Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith. We, as believers, should look at this verse. Are you too proud to lift up the unrighteous in prayer? Have you caused the law to be paralyzed because of your inaction? My father told me that while he was in the Army he was taught to react and not think, to follow orders without question. Will you follow and react to the need around you? Will you stand in the watchtower and wait for an answer?

Their spirit is not right in them,

it will surely come, it will not delay.

but the righteous live by their faith.