Habakkuk Pt. 4 A Faithful, Humble Prophet & A Mighty God

Good morning to all of our Readers.

Much political and civil unrest is still very evident in America and around the world. In addition, COVID-19 is spreading out of control in parts of the U.S. However, I want you to know that our county currently has a "1" ranking with regard to COVID. This is the best rating from the State of Ohio and means that it is not spreading aggressively where we live. 

 Thank you for all of your prayers to God for us throughout the pandemic.  We are praying for all of you as well. 

We now move into Habakkuk 2 and the prophet starts with another strong expression of faith in Jehovah.

A faithful and humble prophet. 

Habakkuk 2:1  I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 

In our last post we saw that Habakkuk shared more of his questions and concerns at the end of chapter 1. He began chapter 2 by declaring that he was taking a stand, which is the idea of enduring hardship with patience and staying put until he heard from God. The prophet compared his position to being on guard duty and watching diligently. 

Isaiah 21:6  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. 

The prophet Isaiah gave us a brief summary of what Habakkuk was doing at this point in time. He was like a watchman who was responsible to warn the people if an enemy approached or if some calamity like a tornado or fire was coming toward them. 

Like Isaiah's watchman, Habakkuk was waiting for the Lord's answer and then his duty was to declare whatever God showed him.

The word "watch" is used twice in this verse and they are two different but similar Hebrew words. The first word is one related to guard duty while the other word means to watch very closely, with keen observation. Habakkuk wanted the earliest and clearest information from Jehovah so that he could warn his brethren in a timely manner, just like a loyal guard would do. 

Next, we see the complete confidence that Habakkuk had in Jehovah. He came to really know his God and he trusted Him. He rested in what he knew to be true about God. He knew he would receive a fair hearing and he fully anticipated that God would answer him. 

We also see the humility of Habakkuk. He expected the Lord to "reprove" him. God is holy, just and pure while even the most sincere seeker of God has a flawed view of who He is. Therefore, Habakkuk was ready to hear from God and ready to stand corrected where his understanding was incomplete. 

I wonder how many times we pray to the Lord with similar humility as that of Habakkuk?  We know Jehovah is the God who inhabits eternity but more importantly, He promises to dwell with all those who have humble hearts and contrite spirits like Habakkuk. Yet, are we not very demanding of God and assume that He wants the same things we want when we pray?

God responded to Habakkuk and gave him a task to do.

Habakkuk 2:2-3  And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3) 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. 

Jehovah again answered His prophet promptly. In doing so, Jehovah showed  His deep, abiding compassion and love for Habakkuk. The word "answered" means God faithfully replied to the questions raised by the prophet. 

The phrase "he answered me" is only used twice in the Bible. Psalm 118:5 is the other reference. 

Psalm 118:5-6  I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6) The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 

As we see in both texts, this phrase reminds us that God wants a relationship with each one of us. He does not want some generic or superficial relationship with His children.  Jehovah desires an intimate,  personal, living and dynamic relationship that will last from the moment we were born again throughout eternity!

Jehovah gave Habakkuk some work to do. The prophet was a spokesman for God waiting for God's message to take to His people. Giving a specific task to Habakkuk is very reminiscent of when the prophet Elijah ran from Jezebel and complained to God about being the only one left in Israel who followed Jehovah (1 Kings 19:1-5). Jehovah gave some work to Elijah as well. 

In this case, Jehovah commanded His prophet to write down the vision on tables which were probably clay tablets. Writing on clay tablets not only preserved the inspired words but it could be copied so that messengers could run to take this message throughout the cities of Judah.

God told his prophet that all those who read it were going to run. This speaks of an imminent judgment that will cause people to flee in panic, frantically seeking safety. 

The phrase that the "vision is for an appointed time" means that God set the exact time for it to be literally fulfilled. Jehovah told Habakkuk that it may be months or even years before it is fulfilled, but it will surely come to pass. Every prophetic vision requires some period of waiting until it comes to pass. Prophecy always points to the final outcome that God is going to work out. 

Contrasting the wicked and the upright. 

Habakkuk 2:4-5  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. 5) Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: 

God's answer to Habakkuk began by making a contrast between the Babylonians and those who live by faith. The Babylonians were lifted up with pride and sin. The word "lifted up" means to be bloated and swollen like a dead animal alongside the road. The Babylonians were bloated up with pride over their vile behavior and military prowess, but inside was decay and corruption. 

God addressed the insatiable nature of the wicked Babylonians. They were prone to drunkenness and orgies. They thought nothing about sinning or committing idolatry and they were not content to stay in their own land. Instead, they sought to absorb more nations, crush more people and accumulate more spoils to themselves. 

Psalm 11:7  For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. 

The upright man stands in stark contrast to the Babylonians. God loves those who are upright in heart and who seek to know and obey Him. The heart of God is always open to an upright man, woman or young person. Jehovah loves righteousness and those who truly love Him will pursue it. 

The Just Shall Live by Faith!

Hebrews 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Habakkuk is also cited in the New Testament. In the book of Hebrews the writer is encouraging the perseverance of the saints. This is the idea that what God planned to do is always going forward and like the saints of old, we must wait patiently for the fulfillment. Perseverance means persistently pursuing God in our faith walk. It means overcoming difficulties with patience while living for God. 

Thus, the just person, that one who is right with God through repentant faith in Jesus Christ, will live by faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Therefore, living by faith means living by taking God at His word.

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to break the chains of sin that bind us. It reveals the righteousness of God by faith as it is written in the Word. Living by faith begins with responding to the gospel and being born again. It continues with reading the scriptures to grow and learn how God wants His children to live. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Habakkuk shows us a model for being a faithful servant of God. Yes, he had many cares and questions but he chose to trust his doubts and discouragement to God. The writer of Hebrews reminds all of us that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). 

Faith means believing what God says in His word, or as some put it, this means taking God at His word. Where is our faith in relationship to believing, trusting and living according to the scriptures?

Like Habakkuk, we must be faithful witnesses who will warn people about the coming judgment for their sins. We must also speak of the wonderful provision for salvation God has given through His Son, Jesus Christ. Are we a faithful "watchman" ready to warn those around us?

Jehovah swiftly answered Habakkuk because he had a solid, faith based relationship with God. He never doubted the character or good intentions of God. "The just shall live by his faith" became a rallying point for Habakkuk. Are we walking by faith and not by sight? (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In the midst of having concerns and doubts, Habakkuk was given specific work to do by Jehovah and he faithfully did as was commanded of him. Are we faithfully serving our All wise and glorious God?

Habakkuk is teaching us about faithfulness, earnest prayers, sticking with what he knew to be true of God and being a watchman all under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. 

I pray that our Lord will grant us grace to pursue these things too.

Bob