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Anselm was a Medieval philosopher in the Catholic Church who became the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093. He wrote a book called Proslogion but I draw your attention to the subtitle of the book: “Faith in Quest of Understanding.” In that work, Anselm wanted to make his faith a reality so that he could see God, to know God, and he wanted to know God with certainty and assurance, with more certainty than he had ever known.
“Faith seeking understanding” could be a good way of describing the Christian life in the context of all the unresolved questions that we have and experience in life. We simply do not know much.
For Habakkuk, the question of justice revolved around how could God take a wicked nation, like Babylon and her king Nebuchadnezzar, and use it to punish God’s own people, Israel. Habakkuk could not “square” that plan of God with his understanding of the holiness of God. Faith seeking understanding.
We conclude our study of Habakkuk by looking at chapter 3 which is identified for us by two words. First, this is a prayer. Secondly, it is a special form of prayer, identified for us as a “shigionoth.” My margin defines such as a form of poetry that is highly emotional. Let us keep that in mind as we reflect on God, His nature, and listen to God as He reveals to us who He is and what He plans to do. We believe, but we need understanding…
THE CALL ON GOD – 3:2:
Habakkuk has heard the report about God and he experiences fear. What has the report said? God has told Habakkuk that God is going to bring the Babylonian nation against the Israelites.
So, he calls on God to respond in three ways:
1.) Revive His work – Get back to blessing Israel and walking with Israel.
2.) Make His work known – What Habakkuk was most concerned about was God being known to people. Evangelism ought to be the most pressing concern for us today!
3.) Despite God’s wrath that Habakkuk fears is going to fall on Israel in the work of Babylon’s destruction, Habakkuk asks God to remember mercy.
THE NATURE OF GOD – 3:3-7:
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In this section of Habakkuk’s prayer, the prophet reflects on God’s nature. He did the same back in 1:12-17 and he is compelled to do so again here.
THE WRATH OF GOD IS POURED OUT – 3:8-15:
In this part of Habakkuk’s prayer, observe the many references to the wrath of God and the various synonyms that Habakkuk uses to picture God’s anger. We have pictured here in Habakkuk, to a certain extent, the teachings of the first three chapters of Romans. In Romans 1, Paul tells us that the Gentiles are lost and they need a Savior. Here, it is Habakkuk 2. Babylon is sinful and needs judgment. In Romans 2, Paul tells us that the Jews are lost and they need judgment. Here, it is in Habakkuk 1. Israel is lost and needs judgment. In Romans 3, the Savior is found in Jesus Christ. Here, in Habakkuk 3, God is the Savior.
Observe the words “rage” (3:8), “anger” (vs 8 and 12), “wrath” (vs 8) and “indignation” (vs 12). The whole earth feels the wrath of God because no one is honoring God and His word.
PATIENCE, FAITHFUL ONE! – 3:16-19:
In the midst of this graphic and terrifying imagery, Habakkuk is praying. Remember this is a “shiginoth,” a prayer written in poetry of highly emotional feelings.
What do you do when it seems like God’s answer is not what you wanted or were expecting? Habakkuk does not turn away from God. Despite how bad things may look, he needs to wait, to be patient and to be faithful.
The physical is not what gives us contentment (vs 17). “His circumstances have not changed. The outer world with its evil conduct and rapacious warfare remains the same. God’s people remain in time of lamentation. The prophet, however, turns to praise. Why? He has heard God’s voice…” (Barker & Bailey, 374).
Habakkuk would not turn his back on God. Rather, he would glory in the Lord (vs 18). He would rejoice in the God who was bringing salvation. That’s how Habakkuk could change from being discouraged in chapter one to exulting and rejoicing here: he changes his perspective. He’s not focusing on what is evil around him; he is focusing on what is good above him: Jehovah God.
Back in 1:11, Habakkuk had said that “strength” was the Babylonian’s god. They worshiped strength. Here (3:19), Habakkuk says that Jehovah God was his strength.
The bottom line, when you feel like the justice of God is on a collision course with the love of God, you just have to trust God. He will always do the loving thing. He will also always do the fair and right thing, even if we can’t see what God is doing! That is why you have to trust God. That is why the “righteous shall live by his faith” (2:4).
Paul Holland
