“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3
One of the false concepts that men have concerning the wrath of God, and His corresponding judgment, is that if we do not see it immediately, then it does not exist. Also, if it does not take the form of what we imagine, we think that it is not real. Perhaps the greatest false concept has to do with the individual, who might be deceived into thinking that temporary well-being is the safeguard against unwanted, and unanticipated, interventions of God to counter the spread of sin, and deal with the rebellious sinner. To fail to realize that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” is a complete denial of God, and His justice.
In the days of Habakkuk, a raging storm was approaching the people of Israel. That storm was in the form of the wrath of God against sin, but also the expression of His judgment upon the sinner. The Chaldeans, a very ruthless, cruel enemy of Israel, were being raised up by God, to break like a storm on Israel because of her rejection of God. The moral and spiritual state of Israel had reached the point of being described as, “… spoiling and violence,” the law being slackened to the point where “…judgement doth never go forth.” (Hab. 1:4) The wicked people of Habakkuk’s day assailed the righteous, but there was little, to no protection by righteous judgment among the people. It was a time of great moral and spiritual decline, a time of faithlessness, and overwhelming defiance of God. It is in this context that God would give to Habakkuk a vision of His just judgment, as the people had come to a place where there was no other remedy. They heeded not the prophets of God, nor the Law. They lived according to the dictates and inclinations of their sinful hearts, therefore, violence dominated the landscape. The interjection of this vision that God gave to Habakkuk was an unwelcome one, for the prophet realized something of the suffering that was soon to come upon the land as a result of the invasion by the ruthless, pride-filled, “terrible and dreadful,” Chaldeans. Habakkuk saw God using the Chaldeans as a correcting measure, in one sense, to save the nation. However, this would only be possible if, as Habakkuk prayed: “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Hab. 3:2) There was only one hope for Israel, under the wrath of God, with the impending judgment of God coming upon the defiant nation. It was the appeal to His mercy, and the cry for grace to repent, to again embrace His ways which were everlasting.
In the days of Noah, we find a parallel in the circumstances that characterized his day. They were days of violence, which was the result of “all flesh” corrupting its way upon the earth. (Gen. 6:12) Scripture tells us that, “…the earth is filled with violence through them.” (6:13) Man, left to the dictates and desires of his sinful heart will eventually act the opposite of God’s commandment, to love one another, and the neighbor as oneself. Why? When the sinful heart of man becomes the dominate, and unbridled, driving force which determines one’s attitude and actions, violence will inevitably be the result. What is violence but the total disregard for the well-being of another, whether demonstrated in a passive or agressive manner. That violence is the expression of one’s attitude also towards God.
Since Cain killed his brother, Abel, violence has characterized mankind. Christ came to save us from such tyranny, suffering, and death. He did so by taking upon Himself all that pertains to the judgment of God upon all such ungodlessness. God’s judgment is averted only by the shedding of the precious blood of Christ, and the sinner’s acceptance of Christ’s perfect righteousness.
Dear Father, Save us from judgment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.