Pausing Jeremiah in the chronological reading list. Next up, Habakkuk.
Ryrie Study Bible
Author: Habakkuk loved God and his name means "embracer."
Date: 607 BC
It sounds like they don't know a lot about the prophet; but they know the time period: when Jehoiakim was King of Judah. We're less than two years out from Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Jerusalem in 605 BC. The clock is ticking. God is sending multiple prophets and Jehoiakim is not listening.
It looks like it is structured into two problems or questions from Habakkuk, each followed by an answer from God; and then a final extended section of praise.
Chapter 1
Verse 1 let's us know Habakkuk saw an oracle. Ryrie offers the alternate translation of an ominous announcement or sentence!
Verses 2-4 introduce the first problem or question.
- How long do I have to call for help?
- You don't answer my plea for help.
- Why do I have to see all of this sin, wickedness, destruction, strife, and contentiousness?
- The law is ignored, no justice or perverted justice, the wicked surround the righteous.
Welp.
He's not wrong.
2630 years later this list is still accurate.
Not the part about God answering. He answers all of the time. But the description of this present age matches. College campuses and Tesla dealerships are overrun by domestic terrorists; major institutions have been unveiled as ideologically captured. Who can we trust? It looks like everyone is corrupt...
I'm not facing anything as dire as Habakkuk and I have a pretty good idea of what's coming to Habakkuk in response from God; but I totally see that we are still broken, sinful humans with the the enemy of our hearts in control of the air. However, Jesus is coming back. And He is going to open that scroll. Friday is good because Sunday is coming.
Verses 5-11 cover God's first answer.
- First God tells Habakkuk to look among the nations.
- Pay attention and be astonished!
- Things are happened that you, literally, wouldn't believe.
Before I go further, I think it is interesting that God starts by giving Habakkuk a broader view. Habakkuk has a narrow focus on what's going on immediately around him, which makes sense; but gives us an incomplete picture of what God is doing.
- Next the Lord gets specific. He is raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) who are on the march throughout the Earth, seizing what is not theirs.
- They are dreaded and feared.
- they define their own justice and authority.
- Fast horses with horsemen flying in like eagles, swooping to devour.
- The hordes come for violence, collecting captives like sand.
- It's all just a joke to them. They mock kings, laugh at rulers and their fortresses, and heap up rubble.
- They sweep through like the wind.
I love how God can paint such a poetic and terrifying picture.
Poor Habakkuk. I feel like he said, "Look, God, things are really rough around here." and God basically replied, "Oh, yeah? Well Death is coming and bringing hell with it." Not the pep talk Habakkuk was probably hoping for. No wonder the oracle was called and ominous announcement.
But God never leaves us without hope. He end the second half of verse 11 with His trademark hope.
But they will be held guilty,
They whose strength is their god.” Habakkuk 1:11b
These vicious, terrible hordes do come and do bring destruction that puts an end to all of the wicked corruption detailed by Habakkuk in his complaint. But because they are their own justice and authority and because their strength is their god, the story doesn't end with them. God is in control. He's seen everything Habakkuk saw and much, much more. He delayed justice, giving His people every opportunity to repent; but death is coming and it's going to feel like hell to those who live through it.
Verses 1:12 through 2:1 presents problem or questions 2:
- Before Habakkuk continues with his questions, he does show respect for who God is. He points out that God is from everlasting and then calls Him Lord, my God, my Holy One. We see that Habakkuk isn't asking out of disrespect; but genuinely bringing his heart to the Lord.
- Then he points out that while thew Chaldeans will bring judgement and correction, they will also kill the Judians.
- He acknowledges the Lord's holiness and is confused how God can just watch this evil and wickedness happen.
- He wants to know why God is showing favor and staying silent while people more treacherous and evil than the Jews will be victorious.
- Habakkuk uses the metaphor that the Jews fish or insects without a ruler who will be hooked and netted by the happy Chaldeans. Then the Chaldeans, in this metaphor, will be grateful and worship the nets (weapons of war).
Habakkuk has a healthy fear of the Lord. He knows God is going to reprove him; but he also knows that he's been given this oracle and has to cry out to the one sharing this information with him. He closes his side of the conversation for now with:
I will stand on my guard post
And station myself on the rampart;
And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,
And how I may reply when I am reproved.