Habakkuk
The Chaldeans, that is, the
Babylonians, were sweeping westward. The profit said: "For, lo, I raise up
the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through she
breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs."
(Habakkuk 1:6)
They had not reached Judah
as yet. The profit said: "When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips
quivered at the voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in
myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble. When he cometh up unto the
people, he will invade them with his troops." (Habakkuk 3:16)
This prophecy is a complaint
to God that His own nation should be destroyed for its wickedness at the hands
of another nation that was even more wicked. Habakkuk could not see the justice
in such a thing. God told him that He had a purpose in the violent conquests of
the Chaldean armies.
Habakkuk acknowledged that
Judah deserved punishment for her sins. The Lord then informed his prophet that
the Chaldeans, who were drunk with the blood of nations, should in her turn, be
destroyed and God's people would yet fill the earth.
In the midst of it all
Habakkuk cries out to God to again do wonders as of old. "Lord, I have
heard thy speech, and was afraid; Oh Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the
years, in the midst of the years make known; in the wrath remember mercy."
(Habakkuk 3:2)
The great lesson of the book
is that man shall live by faith. "And the Lord answered me and said, Write
the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For
the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not
lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not
tarry. Behold, his soul that is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just
shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:2‑4) Faith is the ability to
feel so sure of God, that no matter how dark the day, there is no doubt as to
the outcome.
This passage is quoted three
times in the New Testament. In Romans 1:17: "For in it is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the Just
shall live by faith." And in Galatians 3:11: "But that no man is
justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident; for the just shall
live by faith." Also in Hebrews 10:37,38: "For yet a little while,
and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live
by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in
him."
The prophet says that for
God's people there is a glorious future. It may be a long way off, but it is
absolutely sure. Thus in the midst of gloom and despair, Habakkuk demonstrated
his absolute confidence in God.
One of the greatest passages
to demonstrate faith and faithfulness of God in the entire Old Testament is
found in this book. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither
shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields
shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall
be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God
of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17,18) He declares that he will rejoice in
God though life is stripped of everything that gives natural joy and
satisfaction.
Be not afraid ‑ only
believe. That was the hallmark of Habakkuk. In spite of the fact that there was
no hope he said, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of
my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:18)
Many passages in the
scriptures come to mind as we reflect on the faith of this prophet. It is a
fairly simple thing to rejoice in the Lord and trust God when all is well. But
when the bottom falls out and the scaffolding of life crumbles, then what? This
is the true test of faith.
Faith is strengthened as we
feed on God's Word.
© Copyright
2002, LeRoy Eims