thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Transcription

1 HARD QUESTIONS, HARDER ANSWERS April 25/ Lesson Passage: Habakkuk 1:1-6, 12-13, 2:1-4 / Background Passage: Habakkuk 1:1-2:4 Charles Lyons, Ph.D. HABAKKUK 1:1-6, 12-13; 2:1-4 KJV 1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs. 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. 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? 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. 2 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. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. THE INTRODUCTION The prophecy of Habakkuk is one that is very relatable to us today. The book is also somewhat unusual in that it comes across to the reader as a conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and God. Through this conversation the prophecy is revealed. Through Habakkuk s honest questions to God we experience the type of questions we have thought and sometimes verbalized either in prayer or to others. In very simple words, Why, God? The book is written by Habakkuk the prophet. According to Jewish historians the prophecy was directed against the kingdoms of Babylon, Persia and Media, which were later to grow into world powers, conquering the Land of Israel and the rest of the ancient world. However, for you and I the message helps us with questions such as, why do the good suffer? and why do the wicked seem to not only prosper but get away with evil? Suggested Quotes: When God's justice falls, we are offended because we think God owes perpetual mercy. We must not take His grace for granted. We must never lose our capacity to be amazed by grace. R.C. Sproul

2 The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either. Aristotle 1. God, Why Don t You Respond To My Prayers? Habakkuk Chapter 1: 1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs. It should be The passage opens with the use of the word, burden, to describe what Habakkuk did see or experience. Interestingly the Hebrew word here is pronounced mas-saw' and literally means a prophecy. In two places in the English Bible it is translated prophecy, while the majority of times it is translated as burden or a word of similar meaning. In our day many religious people have a passion or hunger to have a prophecy or some religious experience. The idea of receiving a prophecy seems to be a status symbol among some religious groups as though they are more spiritual than others and have some special link to God. This passage describes what a Biblical prophecy really had to be, a heavy responsibility. Biblical prophets never became elated or jovial about announcing a judgement to come on people. If we are going to not only be God s children but in His service, we need to have a heart of compassion for people. When we read God s Word we are receiving what God has to say to us. We cannot afford the luxury of being excited for judgement but instead must have a compassion that drives us to reach out to others with the Gospel to avoid judgment. Please note that a good example of this danger of a wrong attitude about God s judgement can be found in Jonah 4:7-11. Jonah preaches to the people of Nineveh that judgment and destruction n is coming. After the people repent and God shows mercy, Jonah is depressed and angry that the people were not destroyed! Jonah 4: But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. 8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. 9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. 10 Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night *, and perished in a night *: 11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore * thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? April 25/26 Page 2

3 The prophet Habakkuk began with a very honest prayer. He calls out to God wanting to know, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! This is a relatable experience for many people who bring their requests to God and feel as though their prayers are not being answered. However, we need to know that even when God s answer is yes, that doesn t mean right now, it means yes in God s timing. Also recall that we do not live in a vacuum, God s answers to our prayers often include others including angels. Consider the time that Daniel labored in prayer for 21 days awaiting God s answer. At the end of that time an Angel of God appears and explained that from that moment Daniel first prayed he had been dispatched and was involved in a spiritual warfare. This can be reviewed in Daniel 10:12. Habakkuk is frustrated and challenges God s lack of response to his prayers. He identifies the following issues: Violence Hebrew broader meaning violent, cruelty, injustice Spoiling Hebrew broader meaning societal sin and devastation Iniquity Hebrew broader meaning trouble, sorrow, idolatry As a result of what Habakkuk views as God s failing to respond to his prayers he says that, the law is slacked. By that Habakkuk is saying to God that the teaching and instruction of God s truth by the priests are becoming feeble and the people are growing numb to their message. It is similar to when people in a community see people getting away with a crime that disobedience and violence increases. God then responds to Habakkuk s prayer with a most interesting answer. Prior to covering the response it may be good to relate to the class something of how when we are frustrated, dealing with a situation and not seeming to hear from God we can feel terribly alone. We operate as though it is just us against the world we have no one on our side. Now we look at God s answer to Habakkuk. God says that He will work in his days, meaning Habakkuk will see this response in his lifetime. God says that even though I share what I am going to do you will not believe this great thing. The word for, believe, as used in this passage is a Hebrew word that means, literally, a foster mother or father. The message is that God s people are not alone, we are adopted by someone who will step up for us and support us. Romans 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. God then refers to the Chaldeans, these are the Babylonians, and identifies that they will march through and possess the land. The Babylonians will be the instrument that God uses in judgement. April 25/26 Page 3

4 2. God, Why Don t You Restrain My Enemies? Habakkuk Chapter 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. 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? In this passage Habakkuk does not deny the shortcomings of God s people. Habakkuk knows that they deserve correction. He acknowledges the fact that God is eternal and that we are created in His image and that we are also everlasting. However, Habakkuk asks of God even if you chose to use our enemies to be our judgment and correction, why are they allowed to go so far? He implies that God is so good that He cannot even look at evil and yet God s people are being devoured by people who deny God. Words or Phrases of Interest: Holy One Hebrew word to be sacred or set apart, also used to describe saints (those who are born again) shall not die Hebrew word meaning to die prematurely ordained Hebrew word meaning to be set apart judgment Hebrew word meaning to execute a judgment in the context of a court decision treacherously Hebrew verb meaning to be deceitful and deal treacherously characterized by faithlessness or traitorous 3. God, Why Don t You Reply To My Questions? Habakkuk Chapter 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. 2 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. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Powerful assurance from God comes in this part of our passage. A strong word of assurance and comfort for us today as we often deal with our, where is God? moments. The prophet Habakkuk takes a position of waiting on the Lord. This is a good example for any of us as long as God doesn t have something specifically for us to do at this time. In other words we must have the wisdom to know when to wait on the Lord for an answer and when to be busy with what He has already given us to do. We should always be found faithful and active with Christian study and service. I will stand upon my watch The Hebrew words imply that Habakkuk lets God know that he will take a stand, that he is presenting himself as a guard on watch. He intends to wait and see what April 25/26 Page 4

5 God will give to him as an answer. He is also preparing a response to God when he anticipates that God will correct him (and what I shall answer when I am reproved.) The attitude that Habakkuk demonstrated in that passage is a lesson for us as well. We can fall into the trap of letting negative situations in our lives (home, workplace, relationships) influence how we view God. We can be slammed emotionally by others and situations to the point we blame God and assume why pray, why study His Word, why go to church all the while convinced we know we won t find comfort and support from God. We miss out when we believe the enemies lie. In the case of Habakkuk he would be surprised to discover that God had an answer. God informs Habakkuk to write the vision down. This Hebrew word for vision is a divine communication, a true prophecy from God. The words for plain upon tables also warrant a second look. Writing the words plain means to make the characters very clear easily seen. The tables are not fabric or skin but something solid such as stone, wood or even a metal. This message is not to be hidden, rather God wants to be a clear and lasting message that can be read and understood. Interestingly, the expression that he, the reader, may run is a Hebrew expression implying that the reader will be moved to run away. The message, the prophecy that Habakkuk is going to receive from God is significant. God is going to use God s people s enemy as part of their judgement. The enemy will go too far and become prideful and excessive in the way that they dominate God s people. However, God will intervene. It may seem from a human perspective that it is taking too long and the people have been forgotten. Yet God wants it clearly put down that God will be on schedule, He will not delay in God s timing the people will be delivered. CONCLUSION but the just shall live by his faith. Now for the toughest part of the prophecy, wait. The just shall live by faith is a powerful message about God s people both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In this passage we are reminded that while we wait for God s plan we are to be consistent in our trust of God. It is easy to think in terms of, the just shall live by his faith, as we have salvation in Christ by faith not works. In the context here we can think that these people of God would go through domination by an enemy relying on God for their deliverance. However it is noteworthy to realize that the Hebrew word used means fidelity and steadiness. In other words yes God s people would wait on God, yes we have salvation by faith in Christ and this kind of faith really demands that regardless of how much time passes we remain unchanged in our commitment to God. In a real, Monday morning kind of faith, we realize from this lesson that even the hard questions demand even tougher faith. The hard tough answer will come when we demonstrate to the world and to God our commitment to Him for the long term. We will live our lives fully committed to God and His word unmoving, unchanging and abounding in trust. April 25/26 Page 5

6 1 Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Colossians 2:7, Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Suggested Quotes: I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just that his justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson Suggested Illustration: Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of John Hopkins in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. Why, he s hardly taller than my eight-year-old, I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face lopsided from swelling, red and raw. Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, Good evening. I ve come to see if you ve a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the Eastern Shore, and there s no bus till morning. He told me he d been hunting for a room since noon but with no success; no one seemed to have a room. I guess it s my face. I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments... For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning. I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. No thank you. I have plenty. And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn t take a long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn t tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going. At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children s room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won t put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair. He paused a moment and then April 25/26 Page 6

7 added, Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don t seem to mind. I told him he was welcome to come again. And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they d be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m., and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us. In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery, fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had, made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people! Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God. Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, If this were my plant, I d put it in the loveliest container I had! My friend changed my mind. I ran short of pots, she explained, and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn t mind starting out in this old pail. It s just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden. She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. Here s an especially beautiful one, God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. He won t mind starting in this small body. All this happened long ago. And now, in God s garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand. Mary Bartels Bray, reprinted from Guideposts, June 1965 April 25/26 Page 7