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Habakkuk: "The Righteous Shall Live By His Faith."
Minor Prophets Series #9
Perhaps of all the minor prophets, Habakkuk's prophecy hits home to many of us.
He asks the question that comes to mind when righteous individuals suffer the
consequences of living in a sinful society. Is it fair that the righteous suffer
due to the faithlessness of their neighbors? Why don't just the criminals suffer
for their acts of crime? Why must the innocent also suffer?
It is as plain as can be. Throughout history, when governments are corrupt,
everyone suffers. When a nation suffers for its immorality, even those who have
remained steadfast suffer the consequences of the immorality. We see it plainly
in our own society today. Innocent people live in fear in their crime-ridden
neighborhoods. Drug addicts and gangs prey upon the innocent to support
themselves. Diseases that are spread by immorality find a way to affect even
those who have never partaken in the immoral acts which cause them. Corruption
and fraud in government costs everybody. Honesty becomes an outdated concept to
most. Moral principles and standards as taught in the Scriptures, and those who
choose to live by them, are regarded as foolish and mocked by the entertainment
and news media.
What is in store for our nation? As things grow progressively worse, and society
falls apart as our once sacred institutions collapse, must the righteous also
suffer with the guilty? The book of Habakkuk both asks and answers that question
as well as gives other information concerning such downfalls of nations.
Background to Habakkuk
"The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw. 'How long, O Lord, will I call for
help, and wilt Thou not hear? I cry out unto Thee, 'Violence!' Yet Thou dost not
save...therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked
surround the righteous; Therefore, justice comes out perverted." (HABAKKUK
1:1-4). Habakkuk was written around 612 to 606 B.C. A series of prophets had
warned that the consequences of apostasy from God would ultimately lead to the
downfall of the nation of Judah and captivity. Habakkuk writes just previous to
the beginning of the fulfillment of these warnings. Chaldea, or Babylon, had
been growing in power and spreading out to consume the other nations around it.
The Assyrians, the ancient enemies of both Israel and Judah, had been conquered
by the Chaldeans in 612 B.C. This, too, had been in accordance with the
prophecies. As more nations fell to this new empire, it was drawing ever closer
to Judah. Habakkuk's message is given just before Judah itself is invaded. The
first invasions and the carrying away of the first group of Judah's population
will occur in 605 B.C. Judah's fall will be complete in 586 B.C when Jerusalem
is destroyed and the last deportation is made.
The Reason for Judgment
"Why does Thou make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes,
destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises. "
(HABAKKUK 1:3). The book begins with Habakkuk complaining about the wickedness
that pervades the land. In the first four verses he complains about the
violence, iniquity, wickedness, destruction, strife, contention, lack of law,
and perversion of justice in the land. His is a cry unto God to do something
about it. He felt the same sorrow as he witnessed the corruption of Judah as any
righteous American feels when he considers America's own similar dilemma. We can
well imagine a lump in Habakkuk's throat as he looks at the temple standing in
Jerusalem but no longer used to glorify Jehovah. It would be much like hearing
the National Anthem of our own country, seeing our flag fluttering in the
breeze, and remembering the noble principles upon which our own nation was
founded but which now seem to be discarded. Habakkuk thus asks, "How long will I
call for help, and Thou wilt not hear?" They say to be careful what you ask for
because you may get it.
God's Answer
"Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing
something in your days - You would not believe it if you were told. For behold,
I am raising up the Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous people who march
throughout the earth to seize dwelling places which are not theirs." (HABAKKUK
1:5,6). The warnings had been coming for generations. The people had not
responded. There had been some good times under good leadership, but much of
Judah's history had been like taking two steps backwards for every step forward
as far as their spirituality and morality were concerned. So the Lord tells
Habakkuk that the time has come. Habakkuk had wanted the Lord to do something
drastic, and the Lord informs Habakkuk that this has been His plan all along. He
is raising up the Chaldeans to punish Judah for their infidelity. They will fly
like an eagle swooping down to devour and collect captives like sand and laugh
at every fortress and heap up rubble to capture it (HABAKKUK 1:8-10). Habakkuk
had pleaded for the injustice and wickedness to cease in Judah, and God promises
it shall for Judah will fall into the hands of Chaldea.
Habakkuk's Objection
"Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, and Thou canst not look upon
wickedness with favor. Why does Thou look with favor upon those who deal
treacherously? Why art Thou silent when the wicked swallow up those who are more
righteous than they? (HABAKKUK 1:13). It is important to see that Habakkuk's
objection is based upon his belief in God's justice and righteousness. As wicked
as Judah has become, Chaldea is much worse. How could God allow Judah to be
punished by giving them into Chaldea's hands? At least there are a few righteous
persons left in Judah. What will happen to them when the Chaldeans invade? And
will not this be looked upon by the Chaldeans as some kind of reward? That they
can get by with being as wicked as they want to be and gain from it at the same
time?
The Lord's Assurances and Lessons to be Learned
"I will stand on my guard post and station myself upon the rampart; and I will
keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am
reproved." (HABAKKUK 2:1). Habakkuk has stated his case and feels it is a pretty
good one. He awaits an answer and it comes. He is told to write it down (2:2).
"Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him." (2:4). The
Lord knows that the Chaldeans are wicked. They are not conquerors because they
are interested in doing the Lord's work and punishing Judah for their sin. They
are conquerors because they are wicked, greedy and treacherous. The day will
come when Babylon, after having served God's purpose, will itself be invaded,
looted and destroyed. "The cup in the Lord's right hand will come around to you,
and utter disgrace will come upon your glory." (see 2:6-17). Chaldea will get
away with nothing! Likewise, there will be a day of reckoning for all who do
wickedly. Even those today who suppose they are getting away with committing sin
and mock those who try to live righteously.
"But the righteous will live by his faith" (2:4b). Whatever happens, those who
are righteous will live by their faith. Whether the Chaldeans come or not.
Whether the moral climate improves or not. In all circumstances, good or bad,
the righteous continue to live by faith. Our faith is not tied to prosperity or
poverty; sickness or health; the morality or lack of it in others. It is tied to
our God and His word (ROMANS 10:17). Whatever happens to our own nation today,
the righteous shall live by his faith.
"Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The
Lord God is my strength..." (HABAKKUK 3:18,19). Habakkuk now understands. Come
what may, He will continue to trust in God, even in the most terrible of storms.
He will be secure and happy, even as his nation falls and everything he knows is
swept away. He knows that even in the darkest hour, the righteous will never be
forgotten by God. Whatever is in the future for our own nation, be sure to
always remember that.
By Jon W. Quinn
From Expository Files 4.9; September 1997
