I Am Doing Something Part 4

When you live like the rest of the world you get what it gets. (Hab. 1:6-11)

INTRO: God raising up this evil nation to invade Judah is not KARMA! It does resemble the concept of sewing and reaping, Blessing and cursing. Meaning: If you keep the law then it will go well and if not well . . .

In Old testament times we see clearly that God is “raising up” certain nations or peoples to judge Judah or Israel. In Habakkuk 1:6-11 God describes in detail, this hostile nation of people that will judge Judah and in verse 6 God says “I am raising up.” But it’s not like God goes and finds some nice kind group of people, and compels them to be firece warriors and then forces them to do evil to another nation. No God “allows”, or removes His protection from a disobedient nation and they suffer the consequences under the hand of a stronger nation.

The Chaldeans lived and ruled in southern Babylonia. Genesis 11:28 Is the first mention of Chaldeans explaining that Terah the father of Abram was from “Ur of the Chaldeans” Genesis 11:31 Describes the calling of Abram from “Ur of the Chadeans”. Joshua 24:2 tells us that Abraham and his Father Terah worshipped idols in Ur of the Chaldeans.

It was believed that the Chaldeans were highly educated. Historians believe that after they were conquered by the Persians, “Chaldean was used more often to refer to a social class of highly educated people than to a race of men.” (gotquestions.org) Although the Chaldean rule and geography is not Babylon in many texts Babylon and the Chaldeans are referenced together. Isaiah 13:19; 47:1; 48:14,20.

NOTE: Daniel gives us a glimpse into the time of King Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon.

Daniel 1:2–4 NASB95

2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

Several stories in Daniel are about mandates that if not followed you were killed in some interesting ways.

But this main thought I’ve presented “When you live like the rest of the world you get what it gets”, is based on this striking comparison between the things Habakkuk complained about in v.2-4 and the description of the people God would use to judge Judah.

Blessing and Cursing, Sowing and Reaping. The very things that Habakkuk complained about to God would be the very things that come against them for judgment with increased intensity. The picture is clear, “The wages of sin is death”, “Sin destroys and it destroys utterly!”

They are fierce and impetuous. They seize places that are not theirs. V.6

1. fierce is “Mar” and means “bitter . . . to be desperate”

2. impetuous This is the only plays where this Hebrew word is translated “Impetuous”. The word means to be “hasty . . act rashly” in Hebrew. So they do things and don’t think about it.

NOTE: Mix some bitterness with some desperate and then act without care to think, you have an ugly treatment of humans that we have seen from the history of rulers of nations to bullies in school yards.

3. They seize things that are not theirs.

NOTE: Common in warfare is the act of taking the enemies’ “booty”. Habakkuk seems to think this will be more than vessels from the temple and educated youth.

Habakkuk 3:17 NASB95

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,

ILLUST: Habakkuk 1:2 the Prophet cries to God, “Violence!” and in verse 3 “. . . Yes, destruction and violence are before me.”

Therefore, When you act like the world you get what the world gets, the Results of Judah’s sin that Habakukk was complaining about would only be intensified by this hostile nation to either drive Judah to repentance or plunge them deeper into hatred toward God

They are dreaded and feared and justice originates with themselves. V.7

1. They are dreaded and feared. Because of their fierce nature the Chaldeans obtained a reputation conquering Assyria and Egypt as well as this little nation, Judah.

2. “Justice originates with themselves”. This means that they have no standard of mercy as God does. They will not be persuaded with God’s view of the poor, the needy, the afflicted. They make up their own rules and mandates based on human sin.

ILLUST: “This terrible and dreadful people were a law to themselves. They promoted their own honor, that is, they lifted themselves up. They recognized no law or judge but themselves and their superiority and authority was gained by their own ruthless conquests.”

Blue, J. Ronald. “Habakkuk.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 1510. Print.

NOTE: If Habakkuk thought their was no justice now in Judah, better buckle up!

Their military strength is great and they come for violence and they collect captives. V.8-9

NOTE: Again Daniel 1 describes how Babylon took the youth captive. However these nations would take wives as well and the treatment of the captives was not kind.

They mock kings, laugh at rulers, and will destroy your country to take it. V.10

NOTE: You see the arrogance of a nation that has built this empire and yet does not acknowledge the God of all creation. We see these displays in Athletics, politics, places

But those whose strength is their god will be held guilty. V.11

NOTE: This is God’s comfort to Habakkuk. These people were not being used because they were more righteous than Judah or that God approved of how they conducted their lives. God would use this nation and their fierce and unjust system in order to give Judah exactly what they wanted, a life without God. Without His justice, without His provision, without His protection.

CLOSE: This is a sobering reminder that a nation, a world that choosing to forget God’s ways, His justice, and His compassion will be given the wages of sin, utter death and destruction. So what might God be doing today? Is He preparing to judge the nations and if so how?

The book of Habakkuk is one man’s plea to understand why God would judge His people with suchan evil people in such a hostile way But judgment is a terrible consequence of hations who choose to rule themselves and they will all be judged.

We will be discussing for the next three weeks at 10:00 AM what the war in the Ukraine might mean and how Ezekiel 38-39, Joel 3, and Zechariah 14 may be leading to this coming “Day of the Lord”.

But Habakuk was referring to Judah being judged by Babylon while in the later days, all nations that have scattered Israel and divided up their land will be judged by Christ Himself.

This is just a thought, not a prophecy or a prediction but the Chaldean judgment in the 21st century may very well not be an invading army but a global governance?

The world economic forum: The Great Reset

Strategic Partnerships: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Amazon, AstraZeneca, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority . . .

The Forum is best known for its Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters. Through the years, numerous business, government and civil society leaders have made their way to the high Alps to consider the major global issues of the day and to brainstorm on solutions to address these challenges.

You will own nothing and you will be happy.

You will follow our mandates or you will not be a part of society

1 Timothy 4:3 NASB95

3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.