Habakkuk 1:12-2:20 "The Righteous Will Live by Faith
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Introduction
Introduction
Overall, Habakkuk 1:12-2:20 is a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God about the problem of evil and how God will address it.
Habakkuk is struggling to understand why God allows the wicked Babylonians to prosper and oppress others.
In response, God declares that judgment is coming against the Babylonians for their sins, which include pride, violence, greed, exploitation, and idolatry.
This passage emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to justice...
Habakkuk 2:4 is a key verse in this section and of the book
4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
This verse emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God,
even when circumstances seem unjust or difficult.
In the context of the passage, the wicked are puffed up with pride and are not living upright lives,
while the righteous are those who trust in God and rely on Him for their salvation.
The phrase "the righteous shall live by his faith" has become a central theme in the Bible
and has been quoted in several other New Testament books,
including Romans and Galatians.
It emphasizes the idea that salvation comes through faith in God,
and that even in the face of injustice and oppression,
those who trust in God will ultimately be vindicated and will live eternally with Him.
I. Habakkuk's second complaint and God's response (1:12-2:4)
I. Habakkuk's second complaint and God's response (1:12-2:4)
A. Habakkuk questions why God tolerates evil (Habakkuk 1:12-13)
12 Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction. 13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he?
In Habakkuk 1:12-13, the prophet Habakkuk expresses his frustration and confusion to God about the apparent injustice he sees in the world.
In these verses, Habakkuk is questioning why God allows evil to go unpunished, especially when it appears to be more prevalent than righteousness. He acknowledges God's eternal and just nature, but wonders why He seems to be inactive in the face of such injustice.
This passage is part of a larger dialogue between Habakkuk and God, in which Habakkuk questions why God allows the Babylonians, who are even more wicked than Judah, to conquer them. Habakkuk's questions are ultimately answered by God, who assures him that justice will be served in due time.
Habakkuk's words in this passage are relatable to anyone who has ever struggled with the problem of evil and the apparent absence of divine justice in the world.
The passage also speaks to the human desire for justice and the frustration that can come when it appears to be absent. Ultimately, Habakkuk's words are a reminder that even in times of confusion and doubt, we can bring our concerns to God in prayer and trust in His sovereignty and justice.
B. Habakkuk recognizes God's sovereignty (Habakkuk 1:14-17)
14 Why do You make men like fish of the sea, Like creeping things that have no ruler over them? 15 They take up all of them with a hook, They catch them in their net, And gather them in their dragnet. Therefore they rejoice and are glad. 16 Therefore they sacrifice to their net, And burn incense to their dragnet; Because by them their share is sumptuous And their food plentiful. 17 Shall they therefore empty their net, And continue to slay nations without pity?
In this passage, the prophet Habakkuk is expressing his frustration and confusion over the apparent success of the Babylonian Empire, which was known for its cruel and oppressive tactics in conquering other nations. Habakkuk is questioning why God would allow such evil to prosper, and how the Babylonians can continue to thrive despite their wickedness.
The metaphor of the Babylonians as fishermen who catch people like fish and sea creatures emphasizes the idea that they have no mercy or regard for human life, and that they see their conquests as mere commodities to be exploited for their own gain. The Babylonians' success is depicted as coming at the expense of the people they conquer, who are trapped and ensnared in their nets and dragnets.
Habakkuk also highlights the Babylonians' worship of their own tools of destruction, their nets and dragnets. This emphasizes their pride in their own power and cruelty, and their willingness to use violence and exploitation to achieve their goals. The Babylonians' wealth and prosperity, which they enjoy at the expense of their conquered peoples, are seen as a reward for their wickedness.
Overall, this passage reveals Habakkuk's deep concern over the state of his nation and the world around him, and his struggle to reconcile his understanding of God's justice with the reality of evil and suffering in the world.
C. God responds by declaring judgment on the Babylonians (Habakkuk 2:2-4)
2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:2-4 is a passage from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk, which is one of the twelve minor prophets. The book of Habakkuk consists of three chapters, and it is believed to have been written in the late 7th century BC.
In this passage, Habakkuk is questioning God about why he allows evil and injustice to exist in the world. God responds by telling Habakkuk to write down the revelation that God will reveal to him, so that it may be shared with others.
The revelation that God speaks of is about the future, and it is certain to come to pass, even if it may take time to be fulfilled. The passage contrasts the arrogance and wickedness of the enemy with the righteousness and faithfulness of the righteous person, who will ultimately live by their faithfulness to God.
This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some see it as a call to trust in God's promises and to wait patiently for them to be fulfilled, even in the face of difficult circumstances. Others see it as a message about the importance of living a righteous life, even when surrounded by evil and corruption.
In the New Testament, the phrase "the righteous person will live by faith" is quoted three times (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38), and it is often seen as a key theme in the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of faith in God as the basis for salvation and the Christian life.
II. The 5 Woe of Babylon (Habakkuk 2:5-20)
II. The 5 Woe of Babylon (Habakkuk 2:5-20)
here we see the 5 woes
which means grief, sorrow, or distress.
The term is used to indicate a state of suffering or anguish, as well as a warning of impending judgment or punishment.
so here we will see The Babylonians' sin and impending judgment (2:5-20)
in a series of five "woes"
that describe Babylon's various sins and the consequences
that will come as a result.
The passage is a reminder that God will judge
those who oppress others and turn away from Him.
I. The First Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Greed and Arrogance (Habakkuk 2:5-8)
I. The First Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Greed and Arrogance (Habakkuk 2:5-8)
5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples. 6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his—how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it.
A. Description of Babylon's Greed (2:5)
restlessness, and insatiable greed.
They are portrayed as someone who is never satisfied,
always wanting more, and willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
They are likened to death,
which is never satisfied and always seeks to take more.
Example of Greed
B. Description of Babylon's Arrogance (2:6-8)
Verse 6-8:
This verse suggests that the person or nation
will eventually face ridicule and scorn from others.
They will be criticized for their corrupt practices and their ill-gotten wealth.
and will face consequences for their actions.
They will be held accountable for their debts
and will be made to pay for their violence and destruction,
and other nations will turn against them
and seek revenge.
For example Persia:
Example of Consequences to Greed,
II. The Second Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Exploitation of Others (Habakkuk 2:9-11)
II. The Second Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Exploitation of Others (Habakkuk 2:9-11)
9 “Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house, That he may set his nest on high, That he may be delivered from the power of disaster! 10 You give shameful counsel to your house, Cutting off many peoples, And sin against your soul. 11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, And the beam from the timbers will answer it.
A. Description of Babylon's Exploitation of Others (2:9-10)
Verse 9 - 10 This verse speaks about those who accumulate wealth through dishonest means,
such as by exploiting their workers or by engaging in corrupt practices.
they gained wealth through violence and oppression
Even in the NT:
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
B. Description of the Consequences of Babylon's Exploitation (2:11)
In verse 11:
warns those who gain wealth through
exploitation and violence that their wealth will ultimately be taken away.
with the fact that even inanimate objects will bear witness against those who gain wealth through dishonest means
Ultimately, their ill-gotten gains will be taken away,
and they will be left with nothing.
III. The Third Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Violence and Bloodshed (Habakkuk 2:12-14)
III. The Third Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Violence and Bloodshed (Habakkuk 2:12-14)
12 “Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, Who establishes a city by iniquity! 13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts That the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain? 14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
A. Description of Babylon's towns built Violence and Bloodshed (2:12-13)
Verse 12
specifically addresses those who build their cities and towns through violence and iniquity.
The verse speaks to the injustice of using force to establish one's power and wealth.
Verse 13 suggests that the hard work that people put into building their empires will ultimately be for nothing.
In the ancient world, many people labored endlessly to build great cities and empires,
but in Habakkuk is saying that all of that work will be in vain
if it is built upon violence and iniquity.
because God is ultimately in control and
will not allow such actions to go unpunished.
B. Hope and Redemption (2:14)
Verse 14 is a statement of hope and redemption.
It suggests that despite the destruction that may come upon those who build their empires through violence,
there is hope for a better future.
The verse speaks to the ultimate triumph of God's will,
and suggests that the world will be filled with the knowledge of God's glory.
IV. The Fourth Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for exploiting and hurting others. (Habakkuk 2:15-17)
IV. The Fourth Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for exploiting and hurting others. (Habakkuk 2:15-17)
15 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness! 16 You are filled with shame instead of glory. You also—drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the Lord’s right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory. 17 For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you, And the plunder of beasts which made them afraid, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it.
A. Description of Babylon's exploiting of others (2:15-16)
Verse 15 specifically addresses those who give their neighbors drink and make them drunk in order to exploit them.
The verse suggests that this behavior is like
stripping them naked and exposing them to shame.
In the ancient world,
drinking was often associated with social and religious gatherings,
but Habakkuk is warning that using alcohol
to exploit others is a grave sin that will be punished by God.
Verse 16 continues the theme of exploitation,
warning those who engage in such behavior that they will ultimately face
shame and disgrace.
because God is ultimately in control and will not allow such actions to go unpunished.
so then
Verse 17 is a statement of condemnation,
suggesting that what they been doing will ultimately lead to their destruction.
V. The Fifth Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Spiritual corruption (Habakkuk 2:18-20)
V. The Fifth Woe: Woe to the Babylonian Empire for its Spiritual corruption (Habakkuk 2:18-20)
18 “What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols? 19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all. 20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”
A. Description of Babylon's idolatry (2:18-19)
Verse 18-19 addresses those who make idols and worship them,
warning that worshipping them in vain
The verse suggests that idols are nothing more than the work of human hands
, and that they have no power to save or help us.
In the ancient world, idol worship was a common practice,
but because idols have no power to save or help us,
and they will ultimately be destroyed.
Habakkuk is warning that placing our faith in something
that we have made ourselves is a grave mistake.
EXAMPLE OF WARNING OF IDOLATRY
then in
Verse 20 - it is a statement of praise and honor to God,
who alone deserves our worship.
The verse speaks to the glory and power of God,
and suggests that all the earth should be silent before him
4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.