Habakkuk 6
Five woes on Babylon (2:6-20).
Where have we got to? Habakkuk saw overwhelming injustice and evil all around him - יהוה is a just God, how can He let it go on? יהוה’s answer was that this evil would be judged – He would use the Babylonians to do it. For Habakkuk, the solution was worse than the problem! The Babylonians were worse than God’s people! How could יהוה allow them to judge others? Habakkuk was appalled, because he knew about the cruelty and wickedness of the Chaldeans. How could a holy God use such an unholy nation whose actions would be so indiscriminate that men more righteous than they would be swallowed up? Habakkuk stations himself before יהוה like a watchman, to await His word, His answer. He is rewarded with the assurance that God is working out his purpose. יהוה did not respond directly, but He assured Habakkuk that the answer would come soon. In the meantime, the righteous man lives by his faithfulness (2:2-4) – faithfully living righteously until יהוה’s judgements are carried out and His purposes fulfilled. This seemed to have satisfied Habakkuk, because he asked no more questions. Given the holiness of God, man’s best response is silence, not questioning (cf. v.20). יהוה had a revelation to be recorded of the end-time destruction of Babylon, the human, man-made system. Here was יהוה’s answer to Habakkuk’s complaint - the Chaldeans themselves shall be punished. The great Babylonian conqueror and oppressor would be cast down. They were to rejoice in the overthrow and take up a song taunting them in their downfall. It may not sit well with Christians but there is good Biblical precedent for taunting and mocking those that have mocked God’s people. Evil will rise to such a level that we will be glad when יהוה’s judgement is carried out against it and it is brought to an end. I think the school-kid understands better than we do: “you were eating in the class-room, you’re going to get into trouble.” This chapter is a taunt because of the trouble, the woe coming upon Babylon because of what she had done. Woe is coming upon Babylon – not only of Habakkuk’s day but in the end-times Babylon is the system that will dominate and will be brought down. People will cry out woes upon her and God’s saints will rejoice in her downfall (cf. Revelation 18:10 standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’ “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”; Revelation 19:1-6 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.” And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.). Babylon is taunted with five woes that will fall upon the nation that 1/ plunders nations; 2/ obtains security by wealth gained by violence; 3/ builds by bloodshed; 4/ debauches its neighbours; and 5/ trusts in idols - all these are man’s effort, building his own empire by his own devices, ambition and assertion - selfishly pursuing his own desires - material possessions power and self gratification - soulish, fleshly, human - what is worshiped is the product of men’s hands. יהוה declares woe upon them - for man’s empire will be judged and punished. Taunt-songs will be sung, they will speak of the woe that has fallen on the proud one who thought it was Gpd.
Plunders nations (v.6-8) - Woe has come upon Babylon, but not without cause. יהוה has decreed woe upon her because of her sins - her selfishness and greed. Rapaciously she increased her wealth at the expense of others, plundered and took what was not hers. Babylon is the rich mercantile system, the capitalism and materialism of the West. Making oneself rich off of the backs of the poor - extortion, robbery - "making himself rich with loans" - how like our days of speculators, investors, credit cards, stock markets, loans and mortgages - wealth is gained by manipulation of money - loaning it to those who lack it then getting rich off of the interest. The rich in New Zealand mainly have gained their wealth by this means (not by producing goods) - they have taken their wealth off of those who lack money and so have to borrow it. Woe is declared upon those who greedily hoard wealth for themselves. Their day is coming! - retribution and justice. They will receive back on their own heads what they have done! v.7 - Suddenly disaster will befall Babylon. What she has done will be done to her. Those she plundered will plunder her. Her debts will be called in. Do you recall the stock exchange crash of the eighties? The wealth she amassed over the years will suddenly be taken from her - all she worked, fought and lived for will be gone. All man’s efforts to get ahead, to accumulate wealth, which consumes all their time, energy and ingenuity; the work of a lifetime will vanish - it is straw consumed in the fire (cf. Luke 12:15-21Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”). In Divine justice, those that are the victims of Babylon’s extortion and robbery will arise and plunder her - taking her wealth, receiving back what is theirs with interest. Justice will be carried out, for the Judge of all the earth will act justly. The Western economy runs on credit, business exist by borrowing money - the day the creditors call in the loans the whole capitalistic system will collapse! v.8 – Babylon obtained others’ wealth through violence and bloodshed, war and murder. יהוה would not hold her guiltless for these crimes. There will come a day of retribution. Those that shed blood will be held accountable because the blood of the innocent cries out to God for vengeance (cf. Revelation 19:2 His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.”; Psalm 79:10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight, Vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed.). Shedding innocent blood is doing violence to the land. Those who gain and seek to prosper through violence will meet the retribution of יהוה!
Security in wealth obtained by injustice (v.9-11) - v.9 - The second woe is pronounced on Babylon. This woe is due because of her injustice, extortion, gaining through unjust means. God hates injustice and the use of injustice to gain personal advantage (cf. Proverbs 20:23 Differing weights are an abomination to יהוה, And a false scale is not good; Amos 8:5-6 “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the Sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, So as to buy the helpless for money And the needy for a pair of sandals, And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?”). This extortion is deliberate, premeditated, carefully planned. How descriptive of today with man’s get rich schemes which all depend on separating other people from their wealth - as for being fair and just, that just doesn’t enter into it – it is doing a "good deal", "making a killing", a crafty or canny deal that leaves others out of pocket, high and dry with no redress - well that’s "just business". It is unrighteous gain - wickedness in business, our society abounds with it, as businesses push the limits of the law (e.g. wine box enquiry) in the obsession with maximizing profits; or blatantly disregarding the law (e.g. tax evasion) in the hope that they will get away with it (e.g. selling imported cars with crashed parts). Through their unjust acquisition of wealth they hope to provide security for themselves - make themselves impervious to calamity, beyond the reach of disaster. Their faith is in their wealth; that is their security. They "set their nest on high"- out of the reach of trouble. But it is a false hope, a false security. Their cushion against tough times will not save them (cf. stock market crash). Money cannot shield you from יהוה’s judgement. That is why people have insurance and investments - it will provide for them and protect against all contingencies. But there is no security in wealth, in fact only insecurity and worry about losing it. Babylon amassed wealth (as man does today) to deliver him from calamity. On the contrary, according to this woe, it will bring calamity upon him! Employing evil cannot save you from evil, rather, it makes it inevitable that evil will come upon you - what you practice will be dealt back to you (cf. Matthew 7:2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.). v.10 – This unjust gain is deliberate and premeditated - they plot, plan and scheme how to obtain the wealth of others, bringing them to ruin. The cry of these victims reaches יהוה and He will exercise retribution and judgement upon Babylon - human selfish enterprise. They plan shameful deeds, bringing shame upon their own house through their destruction of other nations. Their appetite for conquest is insatiable - many nations they have cut off. They know no restraint in their violence, warfare and conquest. They forever want more. This relentlessness, this greed, this shameful premeditated action is sin against their very own soul. And יהוה will not let sin go unpunished. Woe is to come upon Babylon because of what she has done! v.11 - Such is Babylon’s injustice and violent oppression that the stones cry out from the wall - there are no survivors left to cry out, but the very walls of their houses that have witnessed this awful injustice cry out for vengeance and justice. And vengeance and justice there will be at the hand of יהוה Himself!
Erects a town with blood (v.12-14) - The third woe is because of violence - building an empire by trampling on others - man’s organisation, society, civilization, enterprise - human cooperation to build a mighty edifice - a monument to man and his achievements (cf. Gen 11:1-9) but at the expense of the individual - violence against all who stand in the way, any who are obstacles to their goal. יהוה is outraged by the shedding of innocent blood (cf. v.8, 17). This was the root sin of Babylon - building great structures, worshipping man’s own greatness, achievement, enterprise. Getting to heaven by their own means - building a tower to heaven, to make a name for themselves. Forced cooperation and unity of purpose to bring all efforts to bear on a coordinated goal. The evil of the city - human association to achieve human objectives and plans (cf. Gen 11:3-4) - coordinated cooperation is the key to attaining the goal (cf. Gen 11:6-7). This cooperation was enforced, obtained by violence and bloodshed. Tyrannical, despotic leadership ensured united effort - every human obstacle was removed or intimidated into submission and cooperation. Injustice, enforcing their will upon others, is the foundation of Babylon (man’s empire). The founder of Babylon was a man of violence (cf. Gen 10:8-12) - Nimrod was a city-builder. There is strength in united human society - man joining together in resistance against יהוה, trusting their own strength rather than relying upon Him. Babel was judged then, it was judged in the days of Belshazzar and will judged at the end of the age (cf. Rev 18) - a society built by violence - woe is decreed upon it (cf. Rev 17:6; 18:20-21, la24; Revelation 19:2 His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.”). v.13 - Babylon, at great coordinated effort, builds its city - humanistic society is constructed, yet it is all for destruction. A tower built (like blocks for Christina) in order to be knocked down. All man’s efforts are "for the fire" - all their toil, in order that it might be burnt up. All the great efforts which have consumed men’s whole lives are utterly FUTILE! It is all for nothing! It will all be consumed in יהוה’s judgement fire (cf. Revelation 19:3 they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever.”). This fire is from יהוה - the LORD of hosts, יהוה of heaven’s armies! - the Mighty Warrior, Commander of armies to whom Babylon’s military might is a mere flea! All man’s efforts and toils are for nothing! His great enterprise is utterly empty, vain and futile! Enormous organisation, planning and wearying toil but it is all for nothing! v.14 - The world is filled with corruption, violence, injustice and oppression as man greedily and selfishly seeks his own kingdom - with man as his god. It seems as if evil man is succeeding - he rules and dominates - the aggressive and assertive come out on top. So it seems - but this is not the way it will be! Hallelujah! In the midst of these woes the prophet catches a glimpse of the future Kingdom Age when all these evils will be removed (cf. Isaiah 11:9 They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of יהוה As the waters cover the sea). Man’s empire will be utterly destroyed (cf. Dan 2:31-45) - all their efforts will be for naught! Instead of the earth being filled with the corruption and wickedness of man it will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD! Hallelujah! Because the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of יהוה, it will not be filled with the glory of man - what he has built and achieved. Man may ignore or reject יהוה but He has decreed: "THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF יהוה AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA!" The earth will be saturated with the knowledge of יהוה’s glory (cf. Isaiah 40:5 Then the glory of יהוה will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of יהוה has spoken). All will know - it will be obvious. No one will be able to deny the Truth any more. יהוה is! No longer hidden, His glory will be revealed! - undeniably who He has said He is! The earth will be FILLED with His glory - there will be no room for the glory of anyone else. יהוה’s glory will be universal!
Debauches its neighbours (v.15-17) - v.15 - The fourth woe is directed at those who take advantage of others - the use of alcohol to render insensible and lower people’s resistance - a practise prevalent in our day – drug-rape. When people have had a few drinks their inhibitions are lowered, sexuality becomes blatant and promiscuous - they take advantage of others sexually: make others drunk so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. One thinks of the despicable practise in our own society of men seeking to get women drunk so that they can take advantage of them sexually - or even drugging them. Woe is declared upon such as these. And oh how alcohol oils the wheels of social and sexual relationships in our society. v.16 - They shamed others by making them drunk and looked at their nakedness - now they themselves will be full of shame instead of glory. They made others drink and drunk - now they will drink also - drink from the cup of יהוה’s fury, that is in His mighty right hand - the cup of judgement that will send them reeling. They had exposed others’ nakedness, now their nakedness would be exposed. Things would be turned around - what they did to others would be done to them - retribution, vengeance from the hand of the Almighty! What we do returns on our own head - only many fold and from יהוה’s hand, not from the hand of man. v.17 The violence Babylon did to others will overwhelm her - Divine justice, retribution. Babylon had overwhelmed Lebanon in a violent invasion, now Babylon would be overwhelmed with violence in the same way. Consistently the message is one of retribution - what you have done to others will be done to you. Their violence wasn’t just confined to warfare, they destroyed animals as well as men - they destroyed all - wanton violence and destruction. Violence to man and beast, land, town and all its inhabitants. None was spared! Neither would Babylon be spared!
Trusts in idols (v.18-20) - v.18 - The final woe pronounced is against Babylon’s idolatry. The root of Babylon’s sin is idolatry based on human pride. She worshipped what she had made, her own creation, the work of her own hands. What kind of god is it that is made by man?! God is then dependent upon man! Man is the creator! The creator of God! - there can be no profit in it – for the created cannot be greater than its creator. What kind of god is he if he himself is made by a created being?! It is a dumb idol - it cannot speak - give revelation, instruction or direction to man at all! It is speechless, it is powerless, it is useless! Utterly futile! This is the present idolatry of humanism, man centred society - our present day god is what man has made (technology), human might, human organisation, human enterprise, human achievement (e.g. sport), man’s knowledge - the same proud idolatrous sin as Babylon – we worship man. Man is the centre and originator of all things - יהוה is left totally out of consideration. Three times in this verse "יצר" - the creation of man’s hands - is mentioned. Man creates, whereas יהוה is the Creator. It is man placing himself in the position of God Himself! The ultimate, blasphemous sin. Man himself makes god! What a ridiculous notion! Yet this is the god of this age! Man worships man and the One True God declares woe upon it! What folly to trust in one’s own handiwork! To worship a man made god is to be deceived - it teaches falsehood because it itself is a lie. v.19 – Idolatry is worshipping the work of man’s hand - man (not God) as creator - everything has its source and purpose in man - leaving יהוה out of the equation - making god after your own design, having god how you want Him to be. Such gods are no-gods - they cannot speak, there is no life (spirit) in them. They are a lie and teach lies - for they are made out to be living and powerful when, in fact, they are inert wood, metal and stone. In utter contrast יהוה is living! He is God! He is enthroned in His temple! He is holy! He is sovereign Lord over all! Hallelujah! Praise His Name! Creations of wood and stone, gold and silver – may be skilfully made, made of precious materials - but there is no life in them, no wisdom. It is a lie, self-deception, to regard them as living, to try and awaken them or be taught by them. Although we may no have images of Baal etc. still man worships the creation of his own hands and regards it as having wisdom and life that just are not there [e.g. being guided by the philosophy in pop music, poetry, art etc.; personifying a machine or car etc. regarding it as having a character/personality/life or regarding mother nature/evolution as a being - we turn them into living beings!]. There is no spirit, no breath, no life in the things that have been made by man’s hand. Only יהוה can create and give life. He is utterly other to these other no-gods. He is ruling from His holy temple! v.20 He is ruling from His holy temple! Who can speak or defend himself before Him, or argue that He is wrong?! The sovereign LORD is ruling! This is part of יהוה’s answer to the prophet: יהוה has not abandoned His holy nor does His habitation cease to be holy. יהוה is still God! He is still on the throne (despite the injustice and wickedness that Habakkuk perceived)! Hallelujah! God’s presence demands that the entire globe be silent before Him because His sovereign power and righteousness are operative in all the earth. יהוה has arisen in final judgement! There is absolute silence - no plea, no objection, no defence, no intercession, no cry for mercy or for more time, delaying His action. יהוה is about to act and there is nothing that anyone can do or say to prevent it. No cry that it is unjust, no excuse - all the earth is silent! (cf. Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before יהוה God! For the day of יהוה is near, For יהוה has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests. Zechariah 2:13 “Be silent, all flesh, before יהוה; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.”) In utter dread, in fear of יהוה’s awesome power, holiness and authority! The Divine order thunders; "SILENCE! Enough is enough! Enough of man’s rule. No more objections or excuses, no more petitions. יהוה is going to act in judgement and will allow no speech to come up to Him from the earth. Silence! - Judgement has come! (cf. Revelation 8:1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 15:6-8 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.). A description of this final judgement is given in (ch.3) - Babylon will receive in full the woe that was due to her for the things that she has done. יהוה is on the throne, not man! He will accomplish justice in all the earth. Praise His Name!