“Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceeds.” Habakkuk 1:4
Dear Ones:
The Lord revealed to Habakkuk that an impending invasion by the Chaldeans was coming. He even spoke of this event by declaring, “…I will work a work in your days, which you will not believe, though it be told you.” (1:5) The magnitude of God’s intervention was truly to be beyond what Habakkuk could conceive. As in the case of Jonah, so in Habakkuk, here are two prophets who do not really understand God and His ways, His judgments, and His timing. For Jonah, his consideration of his delima was mixed with his personal desire to see judgment fall upon the Ninevites. Habakkuk, however, in seeing the coming judgment upon God’s people, Israel, desired that He spare them. His reasoning was they were not as bad, or evil, as their conquerors. What he failed to understand was the matter of responsibility in regard to the revelation of God. Israel had been chosen among all the families, and nations of the earth, to be that recipient of the truth and revelation of God. Hence, she was more responsible than any other nation. Habakkuk would have to come to grips with this principle: “To whom much has been given, much is required.” The Chaldeans, though wicked and ruthless, had not been exposed to this life-giving revelation, to the extent that Israel was. With regard to Jonah, and his understanding of how wicked the Assyrians had been to Israel, he wanted judgment to fall upon them. God did not want this, but knew that Nineveh was open at this point in time to the revelation of God. Nineveh knew that she was declining rapidly, as evidenced by the violence within her borders. Habakkuk’s problem was clearly that of not understanding how God could judge a nation less evil as another. What was he do to? First of all, he would express his personal faith in God, declaring his hope: “Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? We shall not die.” (1:12) Habakkuk at this point made a precise decision. It was to seek the Lord for His answer, not only with regard to what the situation warranted, but concerning what God would have him to do, hence, the declaration of his commitment, and faith: “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” (2:1)
The answer to this stance of faith is clear and concise: “And the Lord answered me, and said, ‘Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables that he may run that reads it.” (2:2) It is to the seeking, and honest heart, that the Lord graciously responds. He will do so in the form of instructions, intended for the whole of the nation, and indeed, the world. “Write the vision (the perception of the revealed will of God), and make it plain upon the tables (tablets), that he may run that reads it.” Here is God’s answer, the clear, indelible, revelation of His will and purpose, to be read by all who would choose to do so, and adhere to it…by running. The Lord goes on to speak of the matter of His faithfulness as opposed to man’s concept of time. He declares: “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.” (2:3) Habakkuk made a conscious choice to seek God for that which was HIS will and purpose. God honored his seeking heart by responding to him clearly, concisely, and with conviction.
Lastly, the Lord deals with ONE essential matter that pervades, and penetrates, every aspect of any and every believer’s response to receiving the revelation: “The just (or righteous person) shall live by faith.” (2:44) The call of God is for the believer to trust in His sovereignty and wisdom.
Dear Father, Grant us faith to grasp and live by Thy revelation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad