When your love for Jesus and your idea of justice collide, when you question God’s justice what do you do? That is the very concept we see playing out in the life of Habakkuk the prophet. We began a study of the prophecy of Habakkuk in January and we looked at the first chapter. In that study, I offered, that when we feel like justice is being perverted, then our response should be to pray to God (1:1-4), listen to God (1:5-11), and meditate on God’s nature (1:12-17).
But, Habakkuk was not quite finished with his discussion with God about this issue. Consequently, we take up Habakkuk 2 in this study.
HABAKKUK WAITS TO HEAR – 2:1:
Habakkuk is determined to stand firm as he waits to hear what God says but he uses battle imagery as he speaks. Habakkuk also braces for what he knows is coming: a reprimand from God.
Now, the rest of the chapter is God’s response to Habakkuk.
GOD’S RESPONSE TO HABAKKUK – 2:2-20:
Point #1 (2:2-3) – I have decided what I have decided. Israel needs to know that God predicts the future and God can control the future. The Babylonians are coming and, at this point, there is nothing that will be done to stop this punishment.
Point #2 (2:4-5) – Babylon is guilty of arrogance. If God is going to punish pride and arrogance in Babylon, will He not also punish pride and arrogance in His own people? Will He not punish pride and arrogance today? In Christians and non-Christians alike?
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Point #4 (2:9-11) – God does not tolerate inhumanity.
Point #5 (2:12-14) – God Will Make Himself Known through His Actions. The only work that is really, ultimately important, is work done for the Lord Jesus Christ – and spreading the knowledge of the glory of Christ around the earth, as the waters cover the seas.
Point #6 (2:15-17) – Babylon will drink of God’s wrath. Babylon made other nations drink of their wrath, experiencing their destruction so that Babylon could look on the “nakedness” of other nations. But, in keeping with the justice of God, Babylon will experience the same thing. This prophecy is fulfilled when Babylon fell to the Persians in 539 B. C. and we can read about that fall in Daniel 5.
Point #7 (2:18-20) – Keep silent before the awesome power of Jehovah God. As if to save the worst for last, God criticizes Babylon’s religion – that is, they worshiped false gods. Yes, sin is irrational! God speaks. Idols do not speak. Why trust idols?
Finally, God gives Habakkuk and other faithful Israelites a word of encouragement. He did so in verse 4, in verse 14, and here in verse 20. God is not an idol, where He can be moved around from place to place. God is not an idol where He needs to be carved out of wood, or fashioned from metal. God cannot be covered with gold or silver, as if He needed to be made more beautiful than what He is. God dwells in heaven. God does not have to be awakened. God dwells in His holy temple. He is accessible everywhere.
Therefore, the whole earth needs to shut its collective mouth in the presence of God, standing in His holy presence, and be ready to respond at God’s commands. Don’t talk. Listen. Then obey. That is one of the hardest things to do, but that is what it means to live a life of faith (2:4). Habakkuk expected to be reprimanded (2:1) but God reprimands Babylon. But to Habakkuk, God says, “Habakkuk, trust me. The whole earth will be filled with knowledge of the glory of the Lord. I dwell in my holy temple. Be silent.”
Paul Holland
