Habakkuk 1:5-11

God’s Response

God’s Response

God commands Habakkuk, four times, to (1) Look [Acts 13:41] Judah you are like the heathen nations [judgement] see and understand - Acts 13:41 - Judah is rejecting me, therefore, (2) observe and pay close attention; be (3) astonished, because of what I am going to do! (4) and wonder/dumbfounded - Isa. 29:9 - Judah’s king has been leading his people away from God, thus illustrating his spiritual blindness and deafness. Has Judah’s king forgot that God is the power to making Israel a great nation! Yet, Judah’s king guide them in the opposite direction of God.

And as a result, because of Judah’s king lack of wisdom Isa. 29:14 God will do/work/accomplish an astonishing act of deliverance and judgement to draw Israel back to Him. It will be so amazing that Habakkuk, nor Judah would believe it even if God had recorded it Himself and hand delivered it to them!

God was not only the cause to Habakkuk's vision, but He is the sovereign cause of Judah’s punishment. 2 Kings 24:2; Jeremiah 4:11-13; He is raising a bitter and angry people, who are impetuous, or hasty, acting rashly, and without thinking as instruments of punishment.

The Chaldean’s march the earth and take possession of land, people and tabernacles, that are not theirs to take.

Characteristics of the Chaldean’s

Dreaded - terrifyingFeared - to be feared, be afraid, Justice - decision, judgment, dispute, case, claim, measure, lawAuthority - dignity, elevation, exaltation, raising, lifting up, sovereignty

The Chaldean’s are a godless super power. They dictate and render judgement and authority upon their own wisdom - illustrating pride and arrogance.

Jer. 39:5-9

Implications - Strong; intimidating; ruthless and victorious - Why is such a godless people to victorious. Why does God let them do the things that they do?

The Chaldean’s are much swifter [rapid and fast Jer. 4:13] than leopards; more fierce than wolves [Zeph. 3:3 princes care little for the people, but devoured them like lions, judges behaved like ravenous wolves administering judgement to their own benefit] - wolves would be famished with fasting all day and very fierce in attacking covertly at night.

The horsemen are not weary

Ezekiel 17:3 NASB95

saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions and a full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

The Chaldean’s are swift, keen, energized and fly to violence.

Their horde or totality have moved to collect, and gather captives. Their desire for violence is seen in their faces. They will return home with spoils.

Isaiah 20:4 NASB95

so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Isa. 37:13 The Chaldean’s are fearless, and prideful they mock and make fun of kings because the have taken over so many of them easily; rulers are a laughing matter or a joke to them; fortified cities are a joke as well to them. All their victories have encouraged pride instead of repentance, and belief in God.

They pile up Ezk. 26:8] dust to destroy walls and capture and assume control.