Wickedness And Violence Seem to Go Unchecked
April 20, 2020
Commentary
Habakkuk may have felt much like the lady in this illustration did. He was frustrated as wickedness and violence seemed to go unchecked (v. 1). He went to God to complain about his troubles and the troubles of his people. He described the injustice that was rampant around him and then asked, “How long?” (v. 2) and “Why?” (v. 3). Habakkuk’s concern was not only that his cries went unheeded but that the corruption continued unchecked. The picture was bleak but the greatest tragedy, however, was the people’s neglect of God’s law (v. 4).
In verses 5-11 God answers Habakkuk’s complaint. Both the prophet and the people suffered from myopia as they were too nearsighted. They were occupied only with Judah, but God is occupied with the world. Far from being disinterested in the events Habakkuk describes, God is at work on a universal scale. He was raising up the Babylonians, also known as the Chaldeans, to bring punishment to Judah for the very sins that Habakkuk has been talking about (vv. 5-6).
The Babylonians lived in southern Mesopotamia which in today’s world, is modern Iraq.
– Their Status (v. 7) – This terrible and dreadful people were a law unto themselves.
– Their Speed (v. 8) – They were swifter than leopards and vultures swooping to devour.
– Their Success (v. 9) – There was no hope of stopping them as “their hordes advance like a dessert wind.”
– Their Scoffing (v. 10) – Confident in their strength, they scoffed at kings and laughed at all the fortified cities.
– Their Sacrilege (v. 11) – They considered their own strength as their god.
Application
When my circumstances may seem unbearable, I must not become frustrated but remember that God has His plan and that He is in control.
Habakkuk 1:1– 11 (NET)
1 This is the oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw:
2 How long, Lord, must I cry for help? But you do not listen! I call out to you, “Violence!” But you do not deliver!
3 Why do you force me to witness injustice? Why do you put up with wrongdoing? Destruction and violence confront me; conflict is present and one must endure strife.
4 For this reason the law lacks power, and justice is never carried out. Indeed, the wicked intimidate the innocent. For this reason justice is perverted.
5 “Look at the nations and pay attention! You will be shocked and amazed! For I will do something in your lifetime that you will not believe even though you are forewarned.
6 Look, I am about to empower the Babylonians, that ruthless and greedy nation. They sweep across the surface of the earth, seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.
7 They are frightening and terrifying; they decide for themselves what is right.
8 Their horses are faster than leopards and more alert than wolves in the desert. Their horses gallop, their horses come a great distance; like vultures they swoop down quickly to devour their prey.
9 All of them intend to do violence; every face is determined. They take prisoners as easily as one scoops up sand.
10 They mock kings and laugh at rulers. They laugh at every fortified city; they build siege ramps and capture them.
11 They sweep by like the wind and pass on. But the one who considers himself a god will be held guilty.”