Habakkuk 3

3:1-3 God the Deliverer.

How many of us have someone we trust? A brother; sister; friend from school or church, a teacher, grandparent. Let’s say this person is your parent. Do you ever think about why you trust them? In most cases, one of the many reasons why we trust them is because they have shown us during our life that they are worthy of trust. There might even be a specific event(s) that highlighted why we trust them. They protected us, helped us or saved us from something. Along with our trust in them, we have the understanding that they are our parent, and they have power over us, they have a purpose for why they help us and as a result we should show that we trust them. Like a trust worthy son, Habakkuk’s brings to memory some of the God’s trustworthy characteristics that the faithful should recall. Habakkuk actually displays these trust worthy characteristics in a prayer, that includes praise for God’s Power, His Purpose and ultimately faith.

Read Passage.

He starts this prayer which is in the form of a song that has the elements of lament and wonder; a thought provoking song. Habakkuk has heard the report about God. The prophet has previously heard all of what God has done [or will do]. Similar to when we think about why we trust our parent. We look back at what they have done for us. In this opening passage, Habakkuk recalls all that God has done. he has created, flooded the earth [judgement]; He entered into a promise with Abraham; He then by way of Moses freed Israel from their bondage and slavery from Pharoah; and He entered into a covenant with them with conditions; and most recently as we have read He corrects, redeems and judges. And it is God’s judgement that was foreseen that encourages fear in Habakkuk. This does not mean that Habakkuk does not have faith or trust in God. It means that he is afraid of God’s working Judgement and those that are unstable or unbelieving should be too.

How much of your day do you think about who God is?

Do you believe that God is still doing work [fulfillment of His will] today?

God is working currently and was working when the prophet wrote this letter. Here in Chapter 3:1-3 Habakkuk asks for God to revive His work; to make good on His promises. He ask’s God to make it known; to give understanding regarding His salvational works, and in His wrath remember mercy; to be compassionate toward those that are faithful.

Before Habakkuk praises God’s power he praises who He is. He recalls God has been with Israel from the beginning. From before the entry into the promised land. He is the Holy One that delivered them outta the hands of Pharoah. He is the one who entered into a covenant with them and gave them the Law [At Mount Sinai]; and led them into the promise land. [ from Teman; from Mount Paran].

Habakkuk pauses showing us that he his reflecting on the goodness of God to Israel the nation at Mount Sinai; then remarks that His authority and sovereignty covers the heavens, and the expected anticipated response from the earth which is praise.

Cross References

Psalm 85:6

Psalm 85:6 NASB95

Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 90:16

Psalm 90:16 NASB95

Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children.

Application

Habakkuk is a great example to us. Why? Because he PRAYS! and not only for himself but also for his brothers and sisters. He prays that God makes good on His promises of salvation; and he asks God for the ability to understand His plan of salvation, and compassion to the faithful. Habbakuk is aware of many truths about God but here it is the truth that God is the Deliverer of the righteous that he highlights. He is the Holy One! who delivered Israel from bondage of Pharoah, and He will not- not make good on His promises. Habakkuk’s example should challenge us to go directly to God in prayer especially in difficult times, and not only for ourselves but for other brothers and sisters who are experiencing difficulties. Is life not hard? Is the world not a bad place? Does the world seem to be getting any better? Then we need to be in prayer asking God to make good on His promises - showing us His Power!

1 Kings 17:21-22

1 Kings 17:21–22 NASB95

Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray You, let this child’s life return to him.” The Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived.

3:4-7 Praise the Power of God.

Poetry

God’s power is like the sunlight. It is radiant and bright and shines down on everything. God is so powerful that His power looks as if He has flashing rays from His hand. His power can not be hidden!

His power is seen through pestilence [epidemic or disease with a high death rate] in Egypt when Pharoah would not let Israel go. God sent plagues as a I sign of judgement against Pharoah.

His power is seen at the perpetual mountains or Mount Sinai where thunder and lighting shattered and collapsed when He came upon it to give the Law to Moses for Israel.

His powerful ways are everlasting. His power in deliverance made Israel’s enemies of Cushan distress and Midian trembling.

Is this not of any comfort? Hearing how God acts on behalf of His people.

Cross Reference

Dt. 32:24

Deuteronomy 32:24 NASB95

‘They will be wasted by famine, and consumed by plague And bitter destruction; And the teeth of beasts I will send upon them, With the venom of crawling things of the dust.

Nahum 1:5

Nahum 1:5 NASB95

Mountains quake because of Him And the hills dissolve; Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence, The world and all the inhabitants in it.

Application

I think that it is important to take note what Habakkuk is doing here. He is praising God for His sovereign power. Habakkuk is bringing to remembrance God’s might and strength. This can result in encouragement not only for himself, but for the trust worthy in Judah. All of Judah will suffer on the account of the disobedient, but recalling God’s undeniable saving power should spiritually, mentally and physically strengthen faithful Judah. And it should highlight God’s immutable attribute - omnipotence. Read the first sentence in verse 6 . Picture God in Heaven looking down at all the earth; watching everyone and everything. Verse 7 says “His ways are everlasting” - This is something that we need to remember and uphold - God’s power resurrected Christ from the Dead! In the middle of our own sleepless night, or feelings of anxiousness, or worthlessness - we need to stand firm in God’s power for Christ followers. God’s power rose Christ from the dead - will He not take care of us? And this isn’t just to be kept for ourselves; we should be sharing this and encouraging other believing friends and family members. You can even explain God’s power to unbelievers that are experiencing difficulty in life.

Romans 1:4

Romans 1:4 NASB95

who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

3:8-15 God’s Purpose.

What is the purpose or result of God’s power?

Habakkuk raises some rhetorical questions that imply the answer No! God was not raged or displeased with the rivers when he changed the Nile river into blood. He was not sending His anger against the Jordan river when He stopped it from flowing so the Ark of the Covenant and Israel could pass through it. And He did not send His wrath against the Red Sea when He parted it! But instead He rode on His chariots of salvation for the purpose of salvation! He raged, angered, and His wrath was against sin.

He came and comes to the rescue! Like a soldier ready for war He has His bow ready! He has ordained or permitted rods of chastisement or judgement against His enemies because He is holy!

Our God is so powerful the mountains quaked at Mount Sinai; and the downpour of waters in Noah’s time swept over the face of the earth, the Red Sea and the Jordan waters swept by and let Israel pass by. The oceans crashed their their waves and lifted up their hands (waves) in response to God’s power.

God’s power is seen in Joshua command for the sun and the moon to stand still, so that Israel could over take take their enemies. God’s power radiates light and overshadows the sun and moon in essence making them go away.

And God’s power doesn’t stop there. Because of His indignation; His anger is righteous, and He marches the earth and trample nations all for the salvation of His people for the salvation of the elect [to restore creation back to Him]. God’s plan of salvation is progressive; meaning it is going to unfold in stages; [creation, fall, redemption, restoration] resulting in the striking of the head of the house of evil; from thigh to neck; a devastating blow.

Habakkuk pauses reflecting on God’s saving power.

Get this God pierces Israel’s enemies with their own spears; or cause them to fight against each other. Habakkuk then recalls the Exodus where Pharoah and his men stormed in to scatter Israel, but God intervened and He trampled on the sea with His horses. Showing their is No obstacle is too big for our God.

Cross References

Psalm 77:19

Psalm 77:19 NASB95

Your way was in the sea And Your paths in the mighty waters, And Your footprints may not be known.

Joshua 10:12

Joshua 10:12 NASB95

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.”

Application

One thing that stands out from God’s purpose is seen in the first part of verse 13. The prophet prayed for understanding then God provides it. Habakkuk explains God’s purpose is salvation for those that are faithful. Verse 13 is a verse that we should memorize! This is a truth to understand, A promise to claim and deserves our praise. No matter how bad life gets, no matter how bad the world gets, or how we feel when we are taken advantage of God has a plan, and the power to carry it out. And the end of verse 13 projects the end of the reign of satan. Our righteous and Holy God fights for His Glory and for our benefit in order to restore all of creation to His intended order. And He did this through Jesus. Jesus was and is God’s ultimate plan of salvation, who will come again and destroy satan once for all.

Gen. 3:15

Genesis 3:15 NASB95

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

3:16-19 Praising God for Faith.

After all that Habakkuk has heard regarding God’s judgement on Judah fear comes over him and his insides tremble; his lips quiver; he knows that relief for the faithful resides in the future; rot enters his bones; he has become almost dead like. He knows Judah will still endure the sufferings of Babylonian exile and this truth causes Habakkuk to tremble.

The prophet understands that the time is coming when Judah will be in distress due to the [Babylon] people to arise who will invade them. As a result of God’s punishment for covenant disloyalty. Judah will endure starvation; the fig tree will not produce figs; there will be no fruit on the vines; no olives, and the fields will produce no grain; no meat from cattle.

Even with all that Habakkuk say’s he will exult in the Lord because He is the source and giver of salvation causing rejoicing - not only that - do you recall that Babylon’s strength was their god. Habakkuk says the exact opposite - he knows that strength is found ONLY in the Lord God.

God’s eventual plan of salvation of Judah is pictured as a deer who is climbing safety up a mountain side. God causes His faithful to stand with confidence.

Cross References

Dt. 33:29

Deuteronomy 33:29 NASB95

“Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, Who is the shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, And you will tread upon their high places.”

Isa. 61:10

Isaiah 61:10 NASB95

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Application

Habakkuk is yet again a great example, with all that he has seen and knows about the suffering headed his [Judah] way he remains faithful. The truth is God is powerful. God’s power as we have seen dominates the elements, creation and man. God is Righteous. He will make good on His promises to those that love Him. God knows that life is more than difficult - He understands that sin and satan have ruined and will continue to ruin creation and man. I challenge you not to give in to suffering, doubting, or disbelief. Not to pity yourself in hard times. I know this is a tough challenge. But “The righteous shall live by his faith” - instead rely on what God has done, is doing and will do - encouraging us to exult Him. Praise Him and rejoice in Him, and encourage others to do the same.

Matthew 5:10-11

Matthew 5:10–11 NASB95

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

John 15:18-20

John 15:18–20 (NASB95)

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Reflection Questions

1. Although you have not experienced what Judah will endure. What are some truths from this passage that God will help you in your time of suffering?

2. Is there a verse or word that sticks out to you in this passage? And Why?

3. What can you use from this passage to point someone to Jesus?

4. How does this passage relate to the Gospel?

Biblical Theology

Habakkuk 2:4 NASB95

“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

Creation

God created man to reflect His righteousness - righteous standard of living. (Gen. 1:26)

Fall

Sinned entered into the world through the unrighteous actions of the serpent and Eve and Adam. (Gen. 3)

Redemption

God’s plan of restoration and salvation made possible by the righteous life, and death of Christ. (1 Cor. 1:30)

Our Part

Live faithful righteous lives in sacrifice to Christ. (Romans 12:1-2)

Restoration

Righteousness perfected. Christ will restore all things in His second coming. (1 Peter 5:10)