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.
Habakkuk 1:3 | NIV84
Have you ever wondered why God allows injustice? It seems everywhere you look, things are falling apart more rapidly than ever before. It seems as if everything is spiraling out of control. Remember that what seems may not be what is. Habakkuk questioned God about the corruption that was happening within his own people. Judah had gone astray, left God and was involving themselves deeply into the things that grieved God’s heart. God’s answer to Habakkuk is rather interesting.
“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.”
Habakkuk 1:5-6 | NIV84
Did you catch it? Read it again. “I am raising up the Babylonians…”. Wow. Now the Babylonians were more wicked than Judah was. They were a more ruthless people, but what I find interesting is that God says He is allowing them to come to Judah. Why would He do such a thing?
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?
Habakkuk 1:13 | NIV84
Apparently, Habakkuk had the same question. In fact, he’s puzzled that God would bring the Babylonians, who were more wicked to Judah. You see, it’s OK to question God about things that concern you. Just be ready for the truth when He answers you.
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–”
Habakkuk 2:1-4 | NIV84
God comforts Habakkuk with these words and reminds him that the righteous live by faith, but those who do not await God’s judgement.
“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!”
Habakkuk 2:9-12 | NIV84
Woe is a strong word and when you read that word in the Bible usually what follows it is very disastrous. Judah had walked away from God and became prideful. Pride is a very serious and dangerous thing. God was allowing the Babylonians to come to Judah to reprimand her for her disobedience. I know we don’t like to talk about God disciplining His children, but I think we should remember that He has not changed and He is very serious about sin. Remember, too, that the Babylonians were willing to do the evil deed and God’s judgement would fall upon them at a later time for such willingness.
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.
Habakkuk 3:16 | NIV84
Habakkuk trembles at what awaits his countrymen and ultimately what awaits those who have walked away from God. Even in the moment of realization of what was about to happen, he never loses faith in God… for the righteous live by faith. Don’t forget that during this time in history, many of the righteous suffered heartache due to the calamity that fell upon their nation because of the choices of those in leadership. Faithful people suffered due to the sins of the nation. God didn’t forsake His faithful people and He never will and Habakkuk, though he was trembling at what God had shown him, still worshiped the LORD God because he knew God.
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.
Habakkuk 3:17-19| NIV84
God does not delight in heartache or trouble. He longs for His people to come to Him and to understand who He is and to love Him, but sometimes they are hardhearted and stubborn. So, He will allow what He must to bring about purity and love from His people. He is compassionate, kind and gentle and does not want to lose anyone. It may seem like He is taking a long time to return for His people, but He is right on schedule…
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 | NIV84
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3b | NIV84
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Revelation 3:19 | NIV84
Selfless Surrender 