Sunday
How does a just God allow evil to exist?
This is the question Habakkuk asks God, “why aren’t the wicked in Judah punished?” Habakkuk was one of the prophets who lived during the time just before the exile. Jehoiakim was King. He prophesied between 612 BC and 588 BC. We don’t know anything more about Habakkuk then what it says at the beginning, he was a prophet. The first part of his “oracle”, (which is a divine revelation), is a dialogue between him and God. Habakkuk asks the question, “why do the wicked oppress the righteous so that justice is perverted?” Then God responds. He tells Habakkuk that He is about to do something that will be “utterly amazing”. He is going to raise up the Babylonian army to sweep across the country and execute judgment. The prophet adds a second complaint which is similar to the first one. God’s response is not immediate and so the prophet waits and watches. Finally, an answer comes and God tells Habakkuk to write down the revelation. Habakkuk had also asked God, why was Babylon chosen to punish Judah?(1:13) Even though God chose a wicked nation to bring judgment on His people, God would punish Babylon in due time.
So the revelation or vision that came to Habakkuk commanded him to write it down so that it could be seen even by one who runs by. The people must wait patiently for the vision. When it finally comes, it will be a word of assurance that the “righteous shall live by faith”. Which btw is a quote by Paul in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11 and we read it again in Hebrews 10:38.
Living by faith is helpful to any Christian who is going through difficult times without seeing any signs of hope. We must trust that God is directing all things according to His purpose.
The next section deals with a series of “woes”, charging those who do wrong. Habakkuk closes with a prayer that was most likely used during worship. We see here a word at the end of each “stanza” – Selah. While the actual meaning is not know it was most likely a musical term. It could be a signal to lift up the hands or voice in worship. It could have been an exclamation like “Amen!” or “Hallelujah!” affirming the truth of the passage.
In the closing verses of the book, the prophet proclaims, that come what may, he will wait in confidence for the Lord and rejoice.
Praising God – Selah!
Pastor Kathy