Purposes and Promises

Habakkuk 2:6-20 November 15, 2020 PURPOSE AND PRESENCE Instead of focusing on the doom awaiting the Babylonians let's focus on the two linchpins of the entire passage - vs 14 and vs 20. Here we see Habakkuk's reason for confidence and assurance. Yes, Babylon would destroy all that Habakkuk knew. His life would be completely re-arranged. If there was no city then the Temple stood powerless before the invading army. When the temple was destroyed there was no need for temple singers and servants like Habakkuk. What does one do when an entire pattern of life is erased and made meaningless? "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord's glory, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, HCSB) A vision of a God-filled world Israel wanted to be like every other nation... I Samuel 8:1-7 Now that Babylon was poised to destroy what was left of the people of God in the Land of Promise, Habakkuk is directed back to God's originally stated purpose. Remember God's mandate to Adam and Eve: Genesis 1:28 Fill and subdue" - God's assignment was for Adam and Eve to bring descendants into the world who would obey God as Adam and Eve did, learning to use the resources God had given to extend the Garden until the entire earth was filled with people whose lives expressed the purposes of God. For the earth to be filled with the knowledge of God's glory as water covers the sea, God will use whatever resources necessary to prepare. In this case Babylon was necessary to remove Israel so that the land could experience the Sabbath rest necessary for cleansing and renewal. "But the Lord is in His holy temple; let everyone on earth be silent in His presence." (Habakkuk 2:20, HCSB) A vision of a God-ordered world ...the assurance and confidence that God is on His throne, seated in His temple - the place from where He rules not just hearts and minds but the entire cosmos - should knock us to our knees in humility and in surrender. Habakkuk 2:6-20 November 15, 2020 PURPOSE AND PRESENCE Instead of focusing on the doom awaiting the Babylonians let's focus on the two linchpins of the entire passage - vs 14 and vs 20. Here we see Habakkuk's reason for confidence and assurance. Yes, Babylon would destroy all that Habakkuk knew. His life would be completely re-arranged. If there was no city then the Temple stood powerless before the invading army. When the temple was destroyed there was no need for temple singers and servants like Habakkuk. What does one do when an entire pattern of life is erased and made meaningless? "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord's glory, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, HCSB) A vision of a God-filled world Israel wanted to be like every other nation... I Samuel 8:1-7 Now that Babylon was poised to destroy what was left of the people of God in the Land of Promise, Habakkuk is directed back to God's originally stated purpose. Remember God's mandate to Adam and Eve: Genesis 1:28 Fill and subdue" - God's assignment was for Adam and Eve to bring descendants into the world who would obey God as Adam and Eve did, learning to use the resources God had given to extend the Garden until the entire earth was filled with people whose lives expressed the purposes of God. For the earth to be filled with the knowledge of God's glory as water covers the sea, God will use whatever resources necessary to prepare. In this case Babylon was necessary to remove Israel so that the land could experience the Sabbath rest necessary for cleansing and renewal. "But the Lord is in His holy temple; let everyone on earth be silent in His presence." (Habakkuk 2:20, HCSB) A vision of a God-ordered world ...the assurance and confidence that God is on His throne, seated in His temple - the place from where He rules not just hearts and minds but the entire cosmos - should knock us to our knees in humility and in surrender. "The LORD is in His Holy Temple..." First, it is His temple - Hebrews 8:1-6 Second, it is a temple - not simply a palace Third, the fact that Habakkuk saw God in His temple is a visual reminder that the earthly temple - about to be demolished and destroyed by the Babylonians - did not interfere with God's right to reign Last, the response of the earth - silence. Prophets like Habakkuk - men and women alike - remind us: a. The ebb and flow of history cannot keep God's purpose from being fulfilled. b. No matter the appearance God is still on His throne in His temple CONCLUSIONS: 1. God's purposes will not fail. "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, HCSB) 2. God still reigns If Jesus is not acknowledged as the Christ, then other christs, other saviors will appear...Every human community must have the opportunity to hear, believe, and accept the true goal. That goal lies beyond history. Kingdoms will pass away. The earth itself and he visible cosmos will pass away. In the end Jesus Christ will be seen as the one to whom authority is given. And so the call is for patient endurance.* The assurance of God's purposes and God's presence, however, make the difficult bearable, the challenging manageable, and confusion clearer. If you have not made a specific choice to accept Jesus as the one and only way to a relationship with God whose purposes will be fulfilled and God whose presence will always remain today is your opportunity. IF you prayed this prayer for the first time today, PLEASE reach out to me via FACEBOOK, our website, our church phone so we can help you in understanding more of what God has for you. If you prayed this prayer at a previous point in your life and are still uncertain, reach out to us. Let me offer you some help along the way. If you are living with confidence and certainty, look around you - there are family members, friends, acquaintances around all of us longing desperately for what we have. Share boldly the good news of Jesus Christ! Third, the fact that Habakkuk saw God in His temple is a visual reminder that the earthly temple - about to be demolished and destroyed by the Babylonians - did not interfere with God's right to reign Last, the response of the earth - silence. Prophets like Habakkuk - men and women alike - remind us: a. The ebb and flow of history cannot keep God's purpose from being fulfilled. b. No matter the appearance God is still on His throne in His temple CONCLUSIONS: 1. God's purposes will not fail. "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, HCSB) 2. God still reigns If Jesus is not acknowledged as the Christ, then other christs, other saviors will appear...Every human community must have the opportunity to hear, believe, and accept the true goal. That goal lies beyond history. Kingdoms will pass away. The earth itself and he visible cosmos will pass away. In the end Jesus Christ will be seen as the one to whom authority is given. And so the call is for patient endurance.* The assurance of God's purposes and God's presence, however, make the difficult bearable, the challenging manageable, and confusion clearer. If you have not made a specific choice to accept Jesus as the one and only way to a relationship with God whose purposes will be fulfilled and God whose presence will always remain today is your opportunity. IF you prayed this prayer for the first time today, PLEASE reach out to me via FACEBOOK, our website, our church phone so we can help you in understanding more of what God has for you. If you prayed this prayer at a previous point in your life and are still uncertain, reach out to us. Let me offer you some help along the way. If you are living with confidence and certainty, look around you - there are family members, friends, acquaintances around all of us longing desperately for what we have. Share boldly the good news of Jesus Christ! * Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (Grand Rapids, MI.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989), 123. * Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (Grand Rapids, MI.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989), 123. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------