Reading for today:  Habakkuk 1-3  (whole book)
Original post:  August 27, 2014


This prophetic discussion with God is inserted into our reading program at this point because Habukkuk was a contemporary of Jeremiah.   Unlike Jeremiah, he doesn't have a specific message from God to deliver to the people.  Instead, Habukkuk is an account of the prophet's discussion with God about the impending disaster. (Nebuchadnezzer and the Babylonian army)

Habukkuk seems to be saying "you can't seriously be considering using godless people like the Babylonians to overthrow your own people, can you?"   I wonder, have you ever been frustrated as you watched those who were dishonest become wealthy, while you, being honest remain poor?
Have you ever wondered why people who overcharge, cheat and lie are allowed to become rich and powerful while honest people seem to always have less?

Habukkuk wondered something similar.  He felt that only someone more righteous than Israel would be allowed to punish Israel.  But when you think about it, there aren't any of us that are "righteous enough" to be seen as holy in God's sight, unless we are cleansed of sin by the acceptance of his sacrificial death.    The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory".   Here's another way of saying the same thing.....you might be able to understand where I'm coming from better...

Habukkuk felt that the Babylonians were less godly than Israel.  Never mind that Israel was given commands, guidance, prophets, laws and many other encouragements that they disregarded.   Never mind that Israel had placed profane idols all through God's temple, had bowed down to them and worshipped them.    Habukkuk says "we are to be overrun by a people who sacrifice to their fishing net?"     The answer is "why not?  You aren't any better, you sacrifice to many other false gods as well."      Here's the point:  maybe you don't think that you are better than others...maybe you just think that others are a little more "bad" than you.    Hmmm.

At times I have been caught in the web of pride, thinking that I was better than I really was, feeling that I deserved more than I truly did.   There have been times when I felt that I should make more money, have more things, enjoy a larger role in leadership...you know what I'm talking about.   The nagging feeling that you aren't getting "your fair share".   While others who are less devout than you are making a fortune.  

God's response to Habukkuk can also be summarized.  He says "what you see isn't the final result, those who punish you today will be punished themselves, and much more severely.  Your punishment will be momentary, so continue to praise and trust God, because when this is over you will be restored".

At least, that's what I'm hearing.    So I don't know where you're living today.  Maybe in poverty, maybe below the normal standard of living.  Perhaps you feel that you deserve a better life, a better job, a better family or spouse.   But I submit that such thoughts miss the point entirely.   I need to focus on eternal things, since everything else is temporary.   As I write this, both of my vehicles have problems, and there is more work to be done than their are hours in the day to do it.    But the vehicles and the work have this in common: neither will be in heaven.   Why allow earthly things to rob us of eternal joy?    If God in His wisdom chooses to allow times of scarcity, or even times of punishment....rejoice!  Two things we know for certain:  they are temporary, and God still loves us and wants what is best for us.    

By the end of his brief account, Habukkuk comes to this wonderful conclusion  "I will continue to praise you, even when there are no crops and no animals.  I will rejoice and be joyful in God."     I don't think Habukuk is celebrating that there aren't any crops, rather he is celebrating that he serves the one and only Living God, who will bring crops back in His time.   He's celebrating that even the lean times are really temporary, and one day he, like all of us will be living "large" with Jesus.

PR