HABAKKUK
“…HOW LONG BEFORE GOD DEALS WITH ALL THIS EVIL?...” PART 1
“…How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
“…The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 MSG).
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Habakkuk’s oracle with God, the Holy Spirit, is used to offer wise counsel into the workings of God, regarding the prayers of the righteous. It also offers an explanatory prediction about how those prayers IMPACT future events on a WIDE SCALE and global level.
Habakkuk is one of the 12 minor prophets of the bible with a message that God’s people are to LIVE BY FAITH no matter what is going in them, with them, or around them. No matter what they hear, feel, see, or are experiencing.
Habakkuk is said to be the author and may have written it before the Babylonians sieged Jerusalem and took it over.
There is VERY little information about Habakkuk except that he may have been a temple prophet, a singing Levite, had a Hebrew name, may have been the Shunammite’s son that was restored to life by Elisha, and lived during the time of the rise of the Chaldeans.
The book of Habakkuk has 3 chapters, which focuses upon MAINTAINING one’s FAITH during times of uncertainty, injustice, and “seemingly” prevailing evil or evil people.
It is this issue of maintaining FAITH that concerns Habakkuk just like it concerns God’s people in the 21st century.
Habakkuk is OPENLY questioning God about WHEN he is going to EXECUTE judgement on EVIL and EVIL PEOPLE for the MANY horrible sins.
“…How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
Habakkuk can possible HELP God’s people address the EVENTS of their TIME or at least understand
them from a different perspective.
There is political, social, and personal UNREST everywhere and swept UP in the MIX are the people of righteousness or God’s redeemed people, the Spirit of LIES, and the emboldening of wickedness and wicked people.
Another similarity to the 21st century, is that Habakkuk was also witnessing a SPIRITUAL DECLINE as God’s very OWN “covenant” people started slipping into weariness and sin.
There will be a DAY OF JUDGEMENT where living and choosing righteousness will END well and living and choosing unrighteousness WILL NOT. There is NO DOUBT that the present WRONGS will be set right, but it is the PROCESS that makes God’s people STUMBLE.
Habakkuk, himself, is STUNNED by the PROCESS and is “…burdened…” by what he SEES with his human eyes. “…How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-2 NIV).
The prophet is saddened by the PANDEMIC of sin of his time and grieved over the DECAY of faith and righteousness of God’s people. Habakkuk makes an honest and human complaint to God about what is going on and what he is doing about it.
In the days of Noah, the bible says: “…The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them… I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made…” (Genesis 6:5-6, 7:6 NIV).
“…The Lord saw … that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. …” (Genesis 6:5-6, 7:6 NIV). SIN had reached a level where the human heart thought about EVIL “ALL” the time.
“…through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). If DEATH passed to ALL men through “ONE” man’s sin, what does the SIN of MANY men do?
The weak, the helpless, and even the innocent are put on the path of death because of the EVIL actions of others. “… DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
The bottom line is that the world had become incredibly corrupt and perverted, far from God’s holiness. “… The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled…” (Genesis 6:6 NIV).
Regret can be translated to mean grieved. God grieved over the evil actions of mankind that were so far removed from his HOLY and RIGHTEOUS character. “…So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them…” (Genesis 6:7-8 NIV).
“… [Their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…and SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
All the people were spiritually DEAD in sin anyway. Then, ALL the people DIED physically, except Noah and his family, who were considered righteous, in God’s sight.
God was NOT unjust, according to the scriptures, because he empowered NOAH to preach about the coming flood for 120 years! “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…and ye will not come to me that you might have life...” (John 5:40 KJV).
God “….is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). “…They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
The people refused to listen to Noah and continued to do what they wanted to do. It was the people’s CHOICE to perish in the flood. They choose “NOT” to heed God’s warning of the coming flood through Noah.
“…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily (which is because of God’s GRACE and his desire for mankind “NOT” to perish) …the HEART of the sons of men [was still] fully set in them [unrepentant]… to do evil….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).
God’s GRACE, in the days of Noah, gave the people AMPLE opportunity to get it RIGHT with HIM. “…Don't you see how wonderfully kind …God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4 NLT).
“…The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for YOUR SAKE. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent…” (2 Peter 3: 9 NLT).
However, one of these days, “…the harvest [will be] past, the summer [will end], and [YOU WILL] NOT [BE] SAVED...” (Jeremiah 8:20 KJV).
The land is full of violence in the 21st century, the land was full of violence in the days of Noah and the land is full of violence in the book of Habakkuk.
Habakkuk acknowledges it: “…How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
There was violence in families, in relationships, among neighbors, in political circles, between church members, in the hearts of racists or the prejudice, business, governments, foreigners, domestic folk, and everyone.
It was as if the GOLDEN RULE was a thing of the past.
Habakkuk talked about being a WITNESS and not necessarily a VICTIM of this violence. Nonetheless he was STILL grieved about witnessing other people being done wrong. He cried along with the oppressed and couldn’t stomach watching harmless, innocent grossly mistreated. It was an offense against God and his people. “…How long, Lord, must I call for help strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
“…The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV). Habakkuk felt the righteous were overwhelmed or hemmed-in, by wickedness or wicked people, everywhere.
The wicked and their variety of wickedness were becoming like a coalition against holiness and righteousness to the point it seemed as if God’s people were being beset, troubled, or threatened by it. “…The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
In addition, the country or kingdom was broken and divided into parties and factions until strife and contention, between them, were widening and becoming constant. “… strife, and conflict abounds.…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
“…in the last days perilous times shall come . For men shall be lovers of their own selves… unholy… heady, highminded…. evil men …shall wax worse and worse…”(2 Timothy 3:1-13 KJV).
“…The Lord saw … that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. …” (Genesis 6:5-6, 7:6 NIV).
“…For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NLT).
The DEVIL’s children want to promote division, incite one person against another, sow discord wherever they can and do the WORK of Satan, their Father. “…For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. …” (John 8:44 NLT).
These, children of the DEVIL, are NOT peacemakers, but, in fact, are peacebreakers, who have become emboldened and have risen UP to stir the pot of STRIFE.
The bible says “…A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community…” (Proverbs 6:12-19 NIV).
“…Blessed are the peacemakers (NOT the peacebreakers)…” (Matthew 5:9 KJV). Peacebreakers that spread division and strife, no matter how long they seem to get away with it, will, without a doubt, answer to God Almighty.
It is GRIEVOUS and SAD to witness the wicked destroy what is GOOD, RIGHTEOUS, and DECENT about life, in general and God’s creation(s) as a whole. “…the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. …” (Genesis 6:5-6, 7:6 NIV).
“…The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
“…[They]… are the children of [their]… father the devil, and [they]… love to do the evil things he does. …” (John 8:44 NLT).
“…Therefore disaster will overtake [the wicked]… in an instant; [they]… will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy… the Lord hates (is strongly against or opposes)… a heart that devises wicked schemes …and a person who stirs up conflict in the community…” (Proverbs 6:12-19 NIV).
It sometimes “seems” like the redeemed are doing the RIGHTEOUS thing and being punished while others are not, and “seem” to be flourishing instead. “…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily (the unrighteous “seem” to be flourishing, but are not. They are, however, being given an opportunity to get right with God) …[nonetheless]...the HEART of the sons of men (especially the unrighteous) is fully set in them to do evil [instead of repenting]….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).
To the human eye, God does not appear to be against the wicked and his judgement is not always immediate as his people MAY prefer it to be.
The crimes of the wicked seem to prevail since there is NO immediate justice served upon them. Yet the bible PROMISES the wicked “will” be served JUSTICE. “…Therefore disaster will overtake [the wicked]… in an instant; [they]… will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy…” (Proverbs 6:15 NIV).
Yet, God, the Holy Spirit, “...He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he...” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
God’s JUSTICE promises to judge unrighteous behavior. “... judgment and justice will be upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT).
God does NOT like those who DISTORT justice by favoring the rich and oppressing the poor. “...Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly...” (Leviticus 19:15 NIV). “...He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery...” (2 Chronicles 19:5-7 NIV). “...he (God, the Holy Spirit) loves justice...” (Psalms 11:7 NIV). “...the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice...” (Isaiah 5:16 NIV). “... the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts...” (Isaiah 5:16 NIV).
God is a God of JUSTICE he SEES everything, and he SEES when leaders and his people DO NOT “ACT” JUSTLY by not looking out for the weak and helpless. “…Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes…” (Hebrews 4:13 NLT).
“...You are a God who sees me...” (Genesis 16:13 NASB). “…He hath shewed thee, O man (woman), what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 KJV). “…O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right (hate injustice),to love mercy (justice), and to walk humbly with your God…” (Micah 6:8 NLT).
God’s Word also warns: “...Don’t pass on malicious gossip. Don’t link up with a wicked person and give corrupt testimony. Don’t go along with the crowd in doing evil and don’t mess up your testimony in a case just to please the crowd. And just because someone is poor, don’t show favoritism in a dispute...” (Exodus 23:1-3 MSG).
King David prayed for King Solomon: “...Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice...” (Psalm 72:1-2 NIV).
When the wicked LEADERS do NOT uphold justice, they WILL answer to God, the Holy Spirit. When they don’t follow the good intentions of the LAW, allow wickedness to continue, and let justice DRY UP like a desert, they will answer to God, ALMIGHTY.
The bible WARNS, “...Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly...” (Leviticus 19:15 NIV).
“…Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery...” (2 Chronicles 19:5-7 NIV).
If they don’t do it, god, the holy spirit will: “... judgment and justice will be upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT).
When wicked OPENLY and PUBLICLY, without shame or conviction, pervert justice God SEES it ALL. “...You are a God who sees me...” (Genesis 16:13 NASB).
“…Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes…” (Hebrews 4:13 NLT).
“... judgment and justice will be upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT).
“… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
“… he remains ...(STAYS) ... faithful (to his “just” nature) …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
Nonetheless, Habakkuk complained about the INJUSTICE he, personally, witnessed being done by the wicked. “…How long, Lord …Destruction and violence are before me…” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
The righteous people of God have a very difficult time watching the wicked and their wickedness destroy people and their nation. It is hard to SEE wickedness in unadulterated action and the depravity in its depth of evil. It VEXES (bothers, irritates, frustrates, etc.,) the redeemed souls of the righteous.
“…For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)…” (2 Peter 2: 4-8 KJV).
The righteous would rather NOT be around the wicked or their wickedness and would rather be somewhere PRESENCE with their LORD. But they are on a mission for God. “…For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming. But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure…That’s why we work urgently with everyone… His love has the first and last word in everything we do… We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God…” (2 Corinthians 5 MSG).
Habakkuk, thus, was God’s prophet first and foremost. So, he asked God WHY was he allowing him to SEE all this WICKEDNESS that grieved, VEXED, and saddened his soul so very much. “…How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Why do you make me look at injustice? …” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
“…How long, Lord, must I ….cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? …” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
“…you do not save …Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? …” (HABAKKUK 1:1-4 NIV).
The bible distinctly says: “...Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap. For the one who sows to his (her) own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB).
“...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your many warriors...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster, And the rod of his fury will perish...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
GOD’S JUSTICE “WILL” BE SERVED!
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