Untitled Sermon (10)
Themes
Habakkuk contends with two main questions: why God permits evil to flourish (Hab 1:1–4), and how, if God is righteous, a wicked nation could function as the means of judgment (Hab 1:12–2:1). Habakkuk also protests that the righteous—himself included—are suffering punishment alongside those who deserve such judgment.
Yahweh answers by declaring that the righteous shall live by faith (Hab 2:4)—in other words, the prophet will have to trust that God knows what He is doing. Centuries later, New Testament writers like the Apostle Paul quote this verse to show that faith is the only path to righteousness (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38). Within the book of Habakkuk, Yahweh clarifies why He is just in bringing calamity via the Babylonians (Hab 2:6–20). The end of the book signals that Habakkuk finds God’s answer sufficient: In the closing verses, he praises God (Hab 3:1–19).
We still find ourselves in Habakkuk’s predicament—we wrestle with God as we try to understand the presence of evil in the world. We are easily and quickly discouraged. Habakkuk reminds us to shift our questions from the evil surrounding us and instead focus on the ways of God. We might not always understand how God works, but if we truly seek Him, we will learn the same thing Habakkuk did: God is just, faithful, and worthy to be praised. We can always cry out to God, knowing that He is good. It takes patience to see Yahweh’s plans come to fruition, but ultimately He will prevail.
Introduction to Habakkuk
The book of Habakkuk examines injustice from the experience of a righteous person crying out to God for a remedy. God responds to the prophet: Be patient, observant, and steady in your faith, for my judgment will happen at the appointed time. God’s response allows Habakkuk to rejoice in God’s saving power—even while struggling with a question that every generation asks: Why is evil allowed to thrive? The answer is profound yet difficult: Trust God because He is both powerful and just.
Psalm Psalm 126
First Reading Habakkuk 3:13–19
Second Reading Matthew 21:28–32
Structure
The book includes an oracle (Hab 1:1–2:20) and a hymn-like prayer (Hab 3:1–19). Within the oracle, two sections follow a similar order of events—Habakkuk puts forth a complaint, to which Yahweh then offers an explanation. In Habakkuk’s first complaint, he asks why the wicked go unpunished (Hab 1:1–4). God responds: The Babylonians (or Chaldeans) will be an instrument in His plan to judge Judah for its sin (Hab 1:5–11). Before Yahweh restores His relationship with His people, they must repent of the evil actions separating them from Him. Yahweh intends to use a foreign power to cause His people to change.
In his second complaint, Habakkuk asks how God can use a wicked nation like Babylon to carry out His judgment on Judah (Hab 1:12–2:1). God responds that while Babylon will bring about his judgment on Judah, He will also judge Babylon (Hab 2:2–20). The implication is that God also disapproves of the Babylonians’ wickedness, but in the short term He will use them to carry out His purposes. In the long term, Babylon also will be held accountable. In the book’s closing prayer, Habakkuk declares his faith in Yahweh, even in the face of future calamity (Hab 3:1–19). He realizes that his perspective is more limited than God’s and trusts that God’s ways are good.
Outline
• Habakkuk’s first complaint (Hab 1:1–4)
• God’s first answer (Hab 1:5–11)
• Habakkuk’s second complaint (Hab 1:12–2:1)
• God’s second answer (Hab 2:2–20)
• Habakkuk’s prayer (Hab 3:1–19)
Habakkuk is a prophet who is probably based in Jerusalem at the same time as Jeremiah. Part of his message (chapter 3) is set out as a song, with instructions for the way it is to be sung in the temple. The name Habakkuk may come from the Hebrew for ‘hug’ or ‘hang on tightly’. Certainly, he hangs onto God in this prophecy.
Habakkuk prophesies at a time when the armies of Babylon are invading Palestine. His work is different from that of the other prophets, in that it is entirely addressed to God. When will God intervene to punish oppression and expose idolatry? Why is he delaying his promised kingdom?
God reveals to Habakkuk that he is rousing the Babylonians to wreak his judgment on Judah. It is an astonishing turn of events.
Habakkuk stations himself before God like a watchman (2:1), to await his word. He is rewarded with the assurance that God is working out his purpose. It may seem slow from a human point of view, but it will surely come about.
Habakkuk arrives at a position of settled faith. Whatever happens, God is Lord. There may be total destruction in earthly terms, but with God there is perfect salvation. This realization gives Habakkuk a surge of confidence and praise.
DISCOVERING HABAKKUK
Habakkuk questions God
(1:1–17)
Habakkuk asks God his first big question: ‘How long must I call for help but you don’t listen?’ There is so much evil going on, with no one able to do anything to stop it. So why doesn’t God get involved?
God replies that he is about to do something quite extraordinary. He is bringing in the armies of Babylon—the strongest, cruellest and most unscrupulous force on earth. A self-made people who worship their creator.
Habakkuk asks a second question. How can God possibly use the forces of evil to carry out his holy judgments? How can he watch people being treated like fish in a net? Especially when those who gleefully catch the fish not only live in luxury, but worship the net that gives them success.
Babylon is doomed
(2:1–20)
Habakkuk insists on waiting for God’s reply. God doesn’t give him a straight answer, but tells him to write down a revelation on tablets of clay. This is a message which is to be kept and passed on—which will prove to be right in the end.
God reveals the truth about the Babylonians. They are proud, misguided—and doomed. They will get rich for a while by plundering other nations—but the time will come when they themselves will be ransacked. Crime and bloodshed are no way to establish a society, and God will bring their achievements to nothing.
Meanwhile, the right way to live is by faith in God.
The earth will be filled with the
knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea (2:14).
‘The righteous will live by their faith’
The message of Habakkuk is that the right way to live is by faith in God (2:4). The future doesn’t lie with the passing empires of this world, but with the glory of God. Lasting victory isn’t won by armed strength—or even by religion. The victory is God’s, and he will share it with his faithful people. Those who serve God now are on the right track, because knowing God is the only thing that will survive in the end. In centuries to come, Paul will quote this saying, ‘The righteous will live by their faith,’ in two of his letters—to the Romans and the Galatians.
God is supreme
(3:1–19)
Habakkuk offers a prayer, which is a poem or psalm of great power and beauty. The word ‘shigionoth’ may come from a Hebrew word meaning ‘to wander’—so perhaps he hopes the musicians will improvise.
Like Job before him, Habakkuk’s questions have led him to a new view of God. He praises the Lord who brought Israel from the south (Teman is Edom) and gave them the law in Sinai (the region of Mount Paran). God’s majesty covers both heaven and earth. He can use all the forces of nature to deliver his judgments, making the sea roar or the sun stand still. He is ready, willing and able to defeat his enemies and deliver his people.
Habakkuk is left shaken and speechless by this awesome revelation of God. God is God and he will save! When and where and how he does it is entirely up to him. Habakkuk realizes he can wait for God. He isn’t anxious any more. Food and wine don’t matter now that his gladness comes from God.
With this glorious perspective, Habakkuk feels totally renewed and refreshed. He could jump a mountain for joy!