A Needed Message! (Hab. 2:2-20)

OPEN: Sometimes you just need to here a message that encourages you or gives you hope. Like when I would hurt myself as a kid and my dad said, “it will be better before you get married.” The doctor says the bad new is you have this disease but it is treatable . . . Habakkuk and God’s people needed a message that somehow God would make this terrible judgment and suffer alright. I’m not sure how comforting this particular message can be unless one exercises “Faith”. God is asking Habakkuk and His people to wait. Habakkuk says “waits” for a reply in 2:1, God says their is an appointed time so “waith for it” in 2:3, Habakkuk says “I must wait quietly for the day of distress.” in 3:16b

A. Record this Vision so those who read it may run! (v.2)

NOTE: One reason Habakkuk’s writing is considered prophecy is God is specifically asking him to record this vision.

NOTE: What vision? Chapter 1 verse 1 says that the oracle Habakkuk “saw”. Is Hab 1:5-11, when God says “look among the nations, observe.”

But here specifically an answer to Habakkuk’s question in 1:17 “Will they therefore empty their net and continually slay nations without sparing?”

Habakuk was quit concerned if the Chaldeans would get away with what there are doing and if God would continue to allow it nation after nation.

ILLUST: The word “reads” can also be translated “call or proclaim” so you could say the one who proclaims it may run”

Why would you run and warn others?

a. Maybe to encourage God’s people to wait on Him because he would judge anyone who separates themselves from Him?

b. Maybe to warn anyone that has separated themselves from God to turn and repent?

B. This prophecy will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it. V.3

1. “appointed time” God’s time table

ILLUST:

Galatians 4:4 NASB95

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

Mark 13:32 NASB95

32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

2 Peter 3:3–6 (NASB95)

3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

ILLUST: This judgment was partially fulfilled when the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians. There is still a future fulfilment yet to come when all the nations who have gone against God will be judged. (Rev. 17-18) Babylon the Great has fallen.

NOTE: I find the rationale of most commentators a bit lacking of the nature of God and His plan for his creation. Most say that these words are to comfort His people that the invading people would one day get was is coming to them. However this doesn’t make sense to me the message that He called Israel and Judah to. To be a blessing to all the nations by bringing salvation. So I found it odd that God would comfort His people with a message that He would destroy those nations?

2. “hastens toward the goal.”

I was thinking about what the goal was or is?

Redemption, restoration, Judgment (Partial and Final) . . .

3. “though it tarries . . . it will not delay.” meaning it will happen in accordance with God’s time table. We don’t know but God does and we must trust Him.

2 Peter 3:7–9 NASB95

7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

The Proud one’s soul is not right within him but the righteous will live by his faith. V.4 Key Verse

CLOSE: The proud soul is the one who lacks the humility to live a life surrendered to wait for God’s plan. The proud soul wants God to act on there commands while the righteous live day to day trusting that loving others, helping people become students of Jesus and learning to live by His power and grace can actually save and restore all this stuff that’s broken. We have to believe this because the only hope the world has is Jesus.

God is calling us, individually as well as a church and I’m going to ask Jan and Jeanne to come share how God has been speaking to them.

A Needed Message! Part 2 (Hab. 2:2-20)

Quick Background: Habakkuk is writting possibly duriing the reign of Manasseh (687-643BC) This is a time of corruption and violence Hab. 1:2-4. Habakkuk doesn’t understand why God is using this Babylonian people who are a violent people to judge Judah. 2 Kings 23:26 (NASB95)

26 However, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.

God says to Habakkuk, “I AM Doing Something” Hab. 1:5, and Habakkuk is searching for understanding why God is using this people, why he is correcting them in this way and will these violent nations be allowed to do this to nation after nation or will they be judged. God explains you will need to live by faith (hab. 2:4) and you will need to wait quietly (hab. 3:16) while the Lord is declaring who He is. So while He is declaring who He is you might want to listen (Hab. 3:3-15), and Learn how to live while you wait. (Hab. 3:16-19)

A. Attitudes like pride and foolishness bring utter devastation. V.4-5

NOTE: V.4-5 explains the pride, foolishness, and selfishness that devastates humanity.

1. “Proud one, His soul is not right within him.” this is in direct opposition to the “righteous” who will live by “faith”. This is what devastates populations of people, families, communities, entire nations; where by men and women arrogantly run their lives apart from the wisdom and the dependence on God.

ILLUST: luxury Lifestyle magazine 2020 “The Rise of New Age Spiritualism: Could this be the Latest Luxury Trend.” wrote “And, the revival of new age spirituality has also seen many publications aimed at 20 and 30 somethings, such as Refinery29 and The Cut, regularly covering topics such as tarot, astrology and crystal grids – yet another sign, if it was needed, that there is an increasing appetite for mystical topics such as these.”

ILLUST: The Guardian March 2022“Making dreams come true: inside the new age world of manifesting” There is a new form of positive thinking that is believed to manifest what you desire. This is not new but a new spin. Moon Onyx Starr. founder of Manifest 2022 says “You are co-creating with the universe,” ““You can only manifest in line with your higher purpose.” (Essentially, the universe can say no, which is often the explanation when things don’t happen.)” This idea goes back to the “Secret” Rhonda Byrnes.

Why do I use these illustrations? Because the majority of your entertainment, media outlets that we listen to and watch is highly influenced with these belief systems.

2. “Wine betrays the haughty man” Is this a reference to Belshazzar Daniel 5? Partial fulfillment?? More than that it is the foolishness of man that thinks they can handle substances or that allows substances to control them finding that in their lack of control life, which needed their attention falls apart.

ILLUST:

1 Corinthians 6:9–12 NASB95

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

3. The haughty man “enlarges his appetite like sheol. And he is like death, never satisfied” death and destruction encourages more of the same.

a. The person who finds themselves indulging in substances often times will never be satisfied. This feeling of dissatisfaction drives one to hunger for things that are not only destructive for their own lives but destroys the lives of those around them.

b. drugabusestatistics.org

1. Among Americans aged 12 years and older, 31.9 million are current illegal drug users (11.7%)

2. 53 million or 19.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year

3. If alcohol and tobacco are included, 165 million or 60.2% or of Americans aged 12 years or older currently abuse drugs (i.e., used within the last 30 days).

NOTE: this does not include sex addiction, food related addictions, gambling, etc. As this hunger for more grows appetites like “sheol” are not satisfied which means man kind is more willing to do things they once thought were diabolical.

4. The haughty man “gathers to himself all nations and collects all peoples”. This reference appears to be to a future world leader like the anti Christ? While at the same time it is referring to the influence of this alluring promise of life without God.

ILLUST: The global governance and the global desire to meet the lustful desires of man is pushing us back into the dark ages.

1 Peter 5:8–9 NASB95

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

TRANS: This cycle is making a way for anti Christ, it is developing a society of self absorbed, lustful people who long to indulge in the flesh rather than know the living God.

Romans 1:22–25 NASB95

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

CLOSE: The Righteous must live by faith. We must continue to encourage one another to live as Christ. If there is any hope for a world that is lost in pride and indulgence then the people of God must stand together, transformed, so that the generations might see there is a better way.

B. Actions like Materialism and lack of compassion bring utter devastation. V.5-20 ( 5 Taunt Songs)

1. “Taunt-song” “prophetic figurative discourse: נָשָׂא מָשָׁל lift up, utter a מ׳ Nu 23:7, 18; 24:3, 15, 20, 21, 23 (all of Balaam)” And this is to provoke someone to action

Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon 1977: 605. Print.

2. Two taunts against Materialism. (v.6-11)

a. V.6a “woe to him who increases what is not his.” This refers back to Hab. 1:6b “To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.” “Make himself rich with loans” but your creditors will come for their money v.6-8

ILLUST: Babylon plundered nations forced others to pay “tribute” (payment of a nation to a superior nation) Although our President isn’t Don Corleone from the Godfather lobbysts, governments, companies, etc use tribute and gift money to obtain things through power.

ILLUST: The entire world runs on the debt system and the World economic forum would like for all citizens to soon one day own nothing.

b. V.9-11 Woe to Those who build their house with evil gain.

ILLUST: This is what the Babylonians did, they built their nation with the wealth of other nations they conquered. This is what nations do even those world powers who appear to be helping poor and impoverished people, stopping drug trafficking, and killing terrorists, you can be sure there is wealth to be gained. This method of gaining wealth through evil and disagreeable ways exists.

3. Two Taunts against a lack of Compassion

NOTE: Once you cross the line of taking things that are not yours and doing evil to gain material things the leap is not too far to not care who you hurt in the process of getting what you want.

c. V.12-14 Woe to those who build their city with blood shed. . . violence . . .

ILLUST: This is how Nebuchadnezzar built Babylon. This could refer to those nations that perform ethnic cleansing. This however doesn’t have to have anything to do with ethnicity it could simply mean we eliminate the weak and the unproductive for the benefit of the economy. During last week’s vice presidential debate, moderator Martha Raddatz asked: “Tell me what role your religion has played in your own personal views on abortion. Please talk about how you came to that decision. Talk about how your religion played a part in that.” Vice President Joe Biden responded to the question masterfully, simultaneously noting his devout religious beliefs and his desire not to impose those views on “equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews.”📷 Unfortunately, this masterful point seems to have been one of the most memorable of the entire debate. In 1992, campaign strategist James Carville coined a slight variation of the phrase “it’s the economy, stupid.”

NOTE: Verse 14 is the hope or the contrast of what it looks like when God reigns. The Lord will Reign “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” V.14 This knowledge rests in His compassion to serve others and to do good to others not concerning themselves about the financial impact or the loss of power or rule.

3. One Taunt against Idolatry. V.15-20

ILLUST: Once people have morally set their hearts against Christ and are worshiping self and material positions it is strange but easy for people to find a national or spiritual deity to worship. Babylon would force their people to worship idols in response to the decree of the king and for fear of losing their life they did it.

CLOSE: Habakkuk 2:14,20 are key statements of hope. If you are living in a world like Habakkuk could you stop and be silent long enough to recognize “God is doing something?” While justice is perverted and violence and sin is the hallmark of every nation on the planet do I as a follower of Jesus find rest in that “God is doing something.” He is and will judge! The woe is not good for those who live in this way when “God’s glory and knowledge fill the earth”; When the Lord is in His Holy Temple. God is establishing His kingdom through those who silently “live by faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 Our purpose is not to fix the problem of evil in the world. Our purpose is to worship with surrendered lives the Creator of Heaven and earth so that His glory and knowledge fill the earth. This brings redemption and healing that an utterly devastated world needs.