Habakkuk Pt. 3 Habakkuk rested in the unchanging character of God

Good morning to all....

I hope each one of you is having a wonderful morning on this day that our Father has given to us.

We will see the second prayer of Habakkuk to Jehovah. The prophet was utterly astonished even though God told him what He was going to do to punish Judah for their iniquities. 

Habakkuk states what he knows to be true about God. 

Habakkuk 1:12  Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. 

Habakkuk is a God centered book. The name Jehovah (LORD) is used 12 times and the name Elohim (God) is used 5 times. Twice he refers to the Holy One of Israel. In all, the names of God are found 19 times in 3 short chapters. 

Jehovah is the covenant keeping God who never changes. He is the God who inhabits eternity yet He will come and dwell with repentant people whose hearts are humble and whose spirits are contrite. He is the God of abundant lovingkindness.

Elohim is the name of God that is plural in form. It is clearly a name that teaches us about the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit fully cooperating, communing and working in perfect harmony. He is the Creator and governor of the universe and all that is in it.

The Holy One of Israel is a name of God that is connected with the promised Messiah who would come to redeem His people. 

This is the God of Habakkuk and this is who he is praying to with such anguish and passion. It helps us to remember the names of God because it teaches us about His character and His heart toward us.

Habakkuk begins this section by asking another question of God. He said "Aren't you from everlasting, LORD?" The prophet used all three names we noted above in addressing God.  

Habakkuk stood at rest on the promises of the God who keeps His Word. He makes a powerful statement of faith in light of the disturbing vision God showed him. He said "We shall not die." Instead, even though he was shocked by the vision of coming judgment, Habakkuk reminded himself that Jehovah was going to use the Babylonians to punish, correct and discipline His people. He knew God would not wipe out Israel. 

Habakkuk knows God is trustworthy but he has  questions.

Habakkuk 1:13  Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? 

Habakkuk knew the holiness of God was such that He would not tolerate sin in His presence. His eyes are pure and will not look on that which is corrupt and evil. Therefore, the prophet was puzzled that Jehovah would use such an evil, heathen people like the Babylonians to chastise Judah. He felt like Judah's sins were far less offensive than the acts of the Babylonians. 

Why would God use an idolatrous, sinful, cruel people to judge Israel?

Habakkuk 1:14-15  And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? 15)  They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. 

Habakkuk compared the Jewish people to a large school of fish in the ocean that swim randomly together but who are unable to organize themselves for defense because they had no leader. Just as a large net cast into the ocean will scoop up large quantities of fish all at once, so the Babylonians would rush in and scoop up the people of God. The enemies of God's people would be glad when judgment was executed upon the Jews.

The Babylonian onslaught seemed unstoppable.

Habakkuk 1:16-17  Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. 17) Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations? 

Habakkuk compared the Babylonian armies to a fat fisherman who catches far more fish than he can use, yet he keeps throwing the net back in to catch more. The prophet was asking God when would He put a stop to the Babylonians insatiable lust for war, violence, plundering and destruction.

Habakkuk was confused because he could not understand why God would use such an unholy, vile and reprobate like the Babylonians who were totally given over to rampant idolatry. 

In the next chapter Habakkuk is going to get another answer from Jehovah. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Habakkuk shows us that we must always cling to what we know to be true about God. We must maintain this frame of reference when we take our burdens, concerns and questions to our Lord. God is still on His throne and His will is being done. Therefore we can fully trust Him to care for us and do what is right.

Habakkuk rested in the trustworthiness of Jehovah even though He did not understand God's plan. He still had questions as to why God would allow such a diabolical people to punish the Jewish nation. Notice that the Lord did not rebuke His prophet for seeking clarity from Him.

Like Habakkuk, we may think that sin and evil are overrunning the world, yet we can trust Jehovah knowing that He is working things out according to His perfect purposes. 

What the Lord requires of all who are born again is that we remain faithful in the midst of strong opposition, open hostility, explosions of evil and wicked idolatry. We learn this firsthand from Habakkuk's life and ministry. 

Bob