Habakkuk · Habakkuk Commentary by Dr. John McRay Authorship: I. The author of this book is not...

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Habakkuk

Habakkuk 1:1-3:19

by

Dr. John McRay

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Habakkuk

Commentary

by

Dr. John McRay Authorship: I. The author of this book is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible except in Habakkuk 1:1, (The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received.) (NIV) which states that he was a prophet. Date of Composition and Historical Setting: I. The date of composition cannot be determined with certainty but Habakkuk seems to have prophesied not long before the rise of the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to power in 605 B.C. when they defeated the Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish and overthrew the weakened Assrian Empire.

A. Habakkuk refers to this impending seizure of the land (1:6, I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own.) (NIV) and the book can thus be dated to this period of time.

1. The oppression of Judah and the first exile into Babylon in 605 had not yet occurred.

B. The name Chaldeans (1:6, I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own.) (NIV) used for this




emerging power, is the name of a region in southern Babylonia which came to be used for Babylonia as a whole.

1. For the next 20 years the people of Judah, where Habakkuk lived, were under the domineering shadow of the Chaldeans and were finally carried away into captivity in Babylon in 586.

2. Therefore, a date shortly before 605 B.C. appears most likely.

Literary Form: I. Although Habakkuk declares himself to be a prophet in the first verse of his book, his writing differs from other books of prophecy in that he does not present himself as a man sent from Jehovah to proclaim divine messages to the people but rather as a man taking complaints of the people before the Almighty and representing them as their spokesman.

A. He was motivated to do this by the sin and lawlessness prevalent among the people of Judah and the terrifying reality of the emerging power of the Chaldeans which would overtake and punish the Jewish people.

B. The book represents the thoughts that lay deep in the minds of these people of God who, though realizing their own sin, wondered why God would punish them by using a nation that was more wicked than they.

C. Although written in excellent poetic form, Habakkuk is in the style of a complaint and an answer.

1. It is written to be a consolation to a people who are questioning God.

2. He writes to justify the ways of God to man.




Outline: I. The First Question of Habakkuk and God’s Answer. 1:1–11, The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, O 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 wrong? 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. "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty men, whose own strength is their god." (NIV)

A. The First Question: Why does God allow the sins of His lawless people to go unpunished? (1:1-4, The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, O 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 wrong? 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.) (NIV)




5B. God’s answer to Habakkuk’s question: He is raising up the Chaldeans to punish the disobedient Jews. (1:5-11, "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty men, whose own strength is their god.") (NIV)

II. The Second Question of Habakkuk and God’s Answer. (1:12-17, 2:1-20, O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy? I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a




6herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith - indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. "Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, "'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?' Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to




7lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.") (NIV)

A. The Second Question: How can God use such a vicious nation to punish a people less sinful than the Chaldeans? (1:12-17, O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?) (NIV)

B. God’s answer to Habakkuk’s question: The vicious nation will not endure because evil is self-destructive, but the person who is righteous will live by faithfulness. (2:1-4, I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith -) (NIV)

C. A series of woes against the Chaldeans and anyone “whose soul




8is not upright in him (2:4, "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith-)”. (2:5-20, indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. "Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, " 'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?' Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe




9to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.") (NIV)

1. First woe (2:6b – 8, "'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?' Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.) (NIV) against the lust of conquest and plunder.

2. Second woe (2:9-11, "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.) (NIV) against trying to build an empire through cruelty and evil gain.)

3. Third woe (2:12-14, 17, "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.) (NIV) against building cities with blood.




10 4. Fourth woe (2:15-16, "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory.) (NIV) against inhumanity toward conquered nations. 5. Fifth woe (2:18-20, "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.") (NIV) against idolatry.

III. A poem containing a vision of judgment and a hymn of faith. (3:1-19, A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth . LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD ? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. Selah You split




11the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.) (NIV)

A. Petition. (3:1-2, A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth . LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.) (NIV)

1. Title: author and melody. (3:1, A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.) (NIV) 2. Lord, renew your works. (3:2a, LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.) (NIV) 3. In wrath, remember mercy. (3:2b, Renew them in our day,




12in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.) (NIV)

B. Vision of judgment and salvation: the mighty works of Jehovah in the past. (3:3-16, God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.) (NIV)

1. Jehovah’s terrible approach. (3:3-7, God came from




13Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish.) (NIV)

2. Question: Why did Jehovah appear? (3:8-12, Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations.) (NIV) 3. Answer: For the salvation of His people. (3:13-15, You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters.) (NIV)

C. Hymn of Faith. (3:16-19, I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my




14legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.) (NIV)

1. Fear and trembling about the anticipated time of trouble when God will punish the Chaldean conquerors. (3:16-17, I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,) (NIV) 2. Joy and rejoicing in Jehovah, the God of salvation. (3:18-19, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.) (NIV)

Commentary: I. The First Question of Habakkuk and God’s Answer. (1:1-11, The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, O 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




15tolerate wrong? 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. "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty men, whose own strength is their god.") (NIV)

A. The First Question: Why does God allow the sins of His lawless people to go unpunished? (1:1-4, The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, O 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 wrong? 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.) (NIV)

1. Habakkuk begins by referring to his words as an oracle. (1:1, The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received.) (NIV)

a. An oracle is information given by God to humans




16containing either answers to questions or revelations about events in the future. b. The Hebrew word means “burden” and indicates something God has placed on Habakkuk’s heart to proclaim to others. c. It is used in Isaiah (13:1, An oracle concerning Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw: 14:28, This oracle came in the year King Ahaz died: 15:1, An oracle concerning Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! 17:1, An oracle concerning Damascus: "See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. 19:1, An oracle concerning Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.) and Nahum (1:1, An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.) (NIV) to introduce prophetic oracles on foreign nations.

2. Habakkuk does not understand why God does not respond to his cries for help and save him from all the violence, strife, destruction and corruption everywhere around him. (1:2-3, How long, O 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 wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.) (NIV)

3. The Law (Torah) is not being observed by the people of




17Judah and justice is not being rendered. (1:4, Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.) (NIV)

a. The awful conditions mentioned here with so many wicked people fencing in the righteous people and justice being perverted probably reflect the results of the reign of the wicked king Manasseh who came to the throne when he was only twelve years old and ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem (II Kings 21:1-18, Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother's name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem I will put my Name." In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. I will not again make the feet of the Israelites wander from the land I gave their forefathers, if only they will be careful to do




18everything I commanded them and will keep the whole Law that my servant Moses gave them." But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. The LORD said through his servants the prophets: "Manasseh king of Judah has committed these detestable sins. He has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him and has led Judah into sin with his idols. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. I will forsake the remnant of my inheritance and hand them over to their enemies. They will be looted and plundered by all their foes, because they have done evil in my eyes and have provoked me to anger from the day their forefathers came out of Egypt until this day." Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the LORD. As for the other events of Manasseh's reign, and all he did, including the sin he committed, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? Manasseh rested with his fathers and was buried in his palace garden, the garden of Uzza. And Amon his son succeeded him as king.) (NIV) (II Chronicles 33:1-20, Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem




19fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever." In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. He took the carved image he had made and put it in God's temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your forefathers, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and ordinances given through Moses." But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.




20And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah. He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the LORD their God. The other events of Manasseh's reign, including his prayer to his God and the words the seers spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, are written in the annals of the kings of Israel. His prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness, and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself—all are written in the records of the seers. Manasseh rested with his fathers and was buried in his palace. And Amon his son succeeded him as king.). (NIV) He plunged the Jewish people into all kinds of Canaanite debauchery involving the worship of Baal and Asherah (II Kings 21:3, He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had




21done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. NIV) and the profaning of the Jewish Temple (II Kings 21:7, He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever.). (NIV) b. Habakkuk may have prophesied during his reign or not too long thereafter. Scholarly opinions differ.

B. God’s answer to Habakkuk’s question: He is raising up the Chaldeans to punish the disobedient Jews. (1:5-11, "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor. Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand. They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty men, whose own strength is their god.") (NIV)

1. In verse 5 Habakkuk is told that God is preparing among the nations outside Judah a force that he will use to punish the Jewish people.




22a. This is something that astounds them because such a threat is almost unbelievable since the rise of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to power is still in the future.

2. The Chaldeans are described as a bitter and impetuous nation who take property throughout the earth that does not belong to them. (1:6, I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own.) (NIV)

a. They are a self-willed people who recognize no master and whose concepts of justice in ruling others are based on their own self-will. (1:7, They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor.) (NIV) b. Their cavalry is composed of horses swifter than leopards and more fierce than wolves galloping in from afar, flying like vultures rushing to feed. (1:8, Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like a vulture swooping to devour;) (NIV) c. A description of siege methods typically used by armies in the ancient world to capture a fortified city (cf. II Samuel 20:15, All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, II Kings 19:32, "Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the king of Assyria: "He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will




23not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. Jeremiah 32:24, "See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see. Ezekiel 17:17, Pharaoh with his mighty army and great horde will be of no help to him in war, when ramps are built and siege works erected to destroy many lives.) (NIV) is given. d. They come violently through the land scooping up captives like sand, scoffing at kings and princes and laughing at fortified cities. e. They make their strength their god.

II. The Second Question of Habakkuk and God’s Answer. (1:12-2:20, O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy? I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed




24time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith - indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. "Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying," 'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?' Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold




25and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.") (NIV)

A. The Second Question: How can God use such a vicious nation to punish a people less sinful than the Chaldeans? (1:12-17, O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?) (NIV)

1. Habakkuk begins his second question (complaint) to Jehovah by acknowledging that He has two infinite characteristics: He is eternal and holy. (1:12, O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish. (NIV)

a. Therefore He will not let His people die at the hands of the Chaldeans, whom He has appointed to execute judgment. Jehovah is the Rock on which the Jewish people depend and that Rock has commissioned the Chaldeans to chastise them.




262. Although Habakkuk acknowledges this, he is still perplexed at how God can use such a treacherous and wicked nation as the Chaldeans to punish the Jewish people for their sins. (1:13-17, Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?) (NIV)

a. God’s plan will make Judah and the surrounding nations as helpless as fish and sea creatures which fishermen catch with hooks, nets and dragnets. b. The analogy is between fish (the people conquered by the Chaldeans), fishermen (the Chaldeans themselves), and the means of taking the fish (the powerful military forces of the Chaldeans). c. Habakkuk is afraid that the successful conquests of the Chaldeans will produce such pride in them that they will live in luxury, continue to destroy and plunder nations and believe only in themselves and their own military power.

B. God’s Answer to Habakkuk’s question: The vicious nation will not endure because evil is self-destructive, but the person who is righteous will live by faithfulness. (2:1-4, I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will




27say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith – ) (NIV)

1. Habakkuk now assumes the position of a prophetic watchman (cf. Isaiah 21:8; And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post. Jeremiah 6:17; I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, 'We will not listen.' Ezekiel 3:17, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.) (NIV) having protested God’s explanation of how He will deal with the situation. (2:1, will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.) (NIV)

2. Since the fulfillment of God’s revelation to Habakkuk will take a while, he is instructed to write it down on tablets for people to read through the years and to write it clearly enough that even someone who runs by it can read it. (2:2-3, Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.) (NIV)

3. Even though God permits the unrighteous Chaldeans to thrive for a while and prosper, they will eventually fail because




28their soul is not upright.

a. Their arrogance and self-will will eventually destroy them. b. Just as wine can be treacherous if consumed excessively, the Chaldeans power and greed for conquest is treacherous and will eventually cause their destruction. c. Like death, they conquer all nations and never get enough. d. Conversely, the righteous will live by faith. (2:4-5, "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith - indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.) (NIV)

C. A series of woes against the Chaldeans and anyone “whose soul is not upright in him are now presented. (2:4, "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith-“). (2:5-20, indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. "Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, "'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?' Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed




29lands and cities and everyone in them. "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.") (NIV) These woes are predictions of the condemnation of the “man whose soul is not upright in him” (2:4, "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith - indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest.) (NIV)

1. First woe (2:6b-8, "'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?' Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they




30not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.) (NIV) against the lust of conquest and plunder.

a. This woe is against anyone who takes for himself what belongs to another. b. Eventually these oppressors will be plundered by those they have opressed.

2. Second woe (2:9-11, "Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.) (NIV) against trying to build an empire through cruelty and evil gain.

a. Just as birds build nests high in trees to protect themselves, the Chaldeans have tried to put themselves out of harm’s way. b. But the house they have tried to build by this ill-gotten power will eventually be the source of their downfall.

3. Third woe (2:12-14, 17, "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of




31the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.) (NIV) against building cities with blood.

a. Those who build cities with violence (cf. Micah 3:10, who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness.) (NIV) are doomed to go up in smoke and will accomplish nothing, because God alone can establish a city (Psalm 127:1, Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.). (NIV) b. The future is in God’s hands and not the product of human achievement (cf. Isaiah 2:17, The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, (NIV) and so a kingdom built on the glory of God will fill the earth as the waters fill the sea.

4. Fourth woe (2:15,16, "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies. You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed! The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory.) (NIV) against inhumanity toward conquered nations.

a. The Chaldeans have used their prestige and position to intoxicate, strip, and destroy honor and dignity of other nations.




32 b. The cup of wrath is now in the Lord’s hands and it will be poured out on them and their glory will be turned into disgrace. c. Because of their destruction of much of nature including the forests of Lebanon, cities and their inhabitants, they will be overwhelmed with the same devastation.

5. Fifth woe (2:18-20, "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." (NIV) against idolatry.

a. Habakkuk points out that an idol is the product of the one who made it and is therefore not superior to its maker. b. Even though it may be made of gold and silver it is not alive and is nothing but a dumb stone. c. The Chaldeans have foolishly called the product of their own hands God. d. Verse 20 is a final word not only to the fifth woe but to all of them and applies to all people. e. There is only one true God who lives in heaven and all the earth should trust in Him and stand in silent awe




33before Him rather than worshiping the products of their own hands.

III. A poem containing a vision of judgment and a hymn of faith. (3:1-19, A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth . LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in




34the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.) (NIV) The book of Habakkuk closes with one of the most beautiful psalms in the Bible.

A. Petition. (3:1,2, A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth . LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.) (NIV)

1. Habakkuk is the author of this book and this includes the poem of chapter 3, which is described as a Shigionoth, a word meaning to reel or stager like a drunken man.

a. It indicates the poem was composed under strong emotional pressure and is an indication of its musical setting. b. When such a word is used in psalm titles (e.g. Psalm 7:1-17, O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands- if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high; let the




35LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day. If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.) (NIV) it points to the use of that hymn in Temple worship. c. What Habakkuk has heard of God’s immense actions in the past makes him tremble but he wants God to intervene in the current situation and do so with mercy in His wrath. (3:2, LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.) (NIV)

B. Vision of judgment and salvation: the mighty works of Jehovah in the past. (3:3-16, God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before




36him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.) (NIV)

1. Habakkkuk recalls the history of Israel’s coming out of Egypt through Mt. Sinai and Edom to the Holy Land.

a. Teman is a region of Edom, south of the Dead Sea, and is often used as a poetic equivalent of Edom itself (cf. Gen. 36:31-43, These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned: Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah. When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from




37Bozrah succeeded him as king. When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king. When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith. When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king. When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king. When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Acbor succeeded him as king. When Baal-Hanan son of Acbor died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab. These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied. This was Esau the father of the Edomites. Jeremiah 49:7,20, Concerning Edom: This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? Therefore, hear what the LORD has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; he will completely destroy their pasture because of them. Ezekiel 25:13, therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill its men and their animals. I will lay it waste, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. Amos 1:12, I will send fire upon Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah." Obadiah 1:12, You should not look down




38on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.). (NIV)

2. There are two poems in this section of the chapter.

a. The first (verses 3-7, God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. (NIV) describes God’s leading the people from the south to a place where they would cross the Jordan into Israel. b. The second (verses 8-15, Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD ? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the




39leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. (NIV) commemorates the exodus from Egypt and early incidents within the Promised Land.

3. In the first poem God comes filling heaven and earth with his radiant glory which is more brilliant than the sun and following this manifestation of his power the land was filled with plague and pestilence.

a. God is a mighty warrior who used the heavenly weapons on behalf of his people on earth. b. God conquered the earth and trampled the nations for the ultimate salvation of his anointed people (verses 12-13, In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding.). (NIV)

4. Having heard all of this, and perhaps having seen some of it in a vision, Habakkuk can feel his heart pounding within him.

a. Such terror gripped him that he shook convulsively from quivering lips to trembling legs (16, I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound;




40decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.). (NIV) b. He then stands silent before God and will no longer question his purposes, but will wait quietly and patiently for his will to be done. c. One of the greatest expressions of faith to be found in the Bible follows in verse 17 (17, Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,) (NIV) in which Habakkuk says that even though all sources of food and income fail from both plants and animals, he will nevertheless rejoice in the Lord and glory in the God of his salvation. d. His closing words are contrary to his opening harsh accusations and he now waits patiently on God to fulfill his purposes. e. God’s revelations have been able to humble Habakkuk and cause him to rejoice in the God of his salvation rather than continue to question his justice and love. f. He will live triumphantly through the suffering that lies ahead and trust in God the Lord who is his strength. (18-19, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.). (NIV)




41Questions

Habakkuk

1. What does the word “oracle” mean in 1:1? To what does it refer? _____ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. How is the word “oracle” used in other prophetic books? __________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What is it that Habakkuk does not understand in 1:2-3? ___________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What kinds of sins were the people of Judah involved in as reflected in 1:4? ______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What nation of people is God raising up to punish the disobedient Jews?




42(1:5-11.) How are they described in verse 6? ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What two infinite characteristics of God are stated in 1:12? ________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What still perplexes Habakkuk about the way God is intending to punish Judah for its sins? (1:13-17) ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. What is God’s answer to Habakkuk about his perplexing questions in 2:1-4? ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




439. What position does Habakkuk now assume, having questioned God’s method of dealing with Judah’s sins? (2:1) _______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. What is Habakkuk instructed to do since the fulfillment of God’s revelation to him will not take place immediately? (2:2-3) _____________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. What will eventually cause the downfall of the unrighteous Chaldeans? (2:4-5)_____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. By what will the righteous live? (2:4) _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. Against what does Habakkuk pronounce the first woe? (2:6b-8)_____ __________________________________________________________




44________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. What will happen to those who plunder the goods of others? (2:6b-8)_ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Against what does Habakkuk pronounce the second woe? (2:9-11)___ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. Like birds who build nests in high trees for protection, what have the Chaldeans done? (2:9-11) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. Against what does Habakkuk pronounce the third woe? (2:12-14, 17)_ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




45__________________________________________________________ 18. What is the fate of those cities which are built with violence? (2:12-14) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. Against what does Habakkuk pronounce the fourth woe? (2:15-16) __ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. Because the Chaldeans have used their power to humiliate and destroy other nations, what is going to happen to them? (2:15-16) ____________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. Against what does Habakkuk pronounce the fifth woe? (2:18-20) ___ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. An idol is the product of what? (2:18-20) ______________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




46______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. What have the Chaldeans foolishly called the product of their own hands? (2:19-20) _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. What does the word “Shigionoth” mean in 3:1? To what does it refer? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. What does Habakkuk recall in his vision of judgment and salvation in (3:1-16) ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 26. What does the first poem in chapter three describe? (3:3-7) ________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




4727. What does the second poem in chapter three describe? (3:8-15) ______ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. How does the greatness of the majesty and power of God described in 3:2-15 affect Habkkuk in 3:16? ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 29. Even though all sources of food and income fail, what does Habakkuk say that he is committed to do? (3:18) _____________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. In Habakkuk’s closing statement, who does he say is his strength? (3:19) ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Habakkuk · Habakkuk Commentary by Dr. John McRay Authorship: I. The author of this book is not...

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