The Book Of Habakkuk

Focus

Is God Concerned In The Affairs Of Men?

Psalm Of Praise

Reference

1:1

1:5

1:12

2:2

3:1

Division

Habakkuk’s Question

God’s Reply With Future Perspective

Habakkuk’s 2nd Question Developed From God’s Reply

God’s Reply With Eternal Perspective

Habakkuk’s Song Of The Glory And Person Of God

Topic

How Long Will God Permit Judah’s Sins To Go Unpunished?

“For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans”

How Can The Righteous God Judge Judah By Using A Nation More Wicked?

God Will Judge Babylon After He Uses Them To Judge Judah

“ I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years”

Habakkuk’s Expanded Vision

Why Does God Permit The Sins of His People?

The First Coming Of Christ

(Matthew 1:21)

Why Does God Not Seem To Judge The Wicked?

The Second Coming Of Christ

(Habakkuk 2:14)

“His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise…His brightness was as the light”

God’s Vision Revealed

“For I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you”

“Whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent”

Destruction Of Babylon

Destruction Of Mystery Babylon

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Result of God’s Words

Living By Faith

(Habakkuk 3:16-19)

God’s Righteousness Revealed

Location

Judah

Realization of Faith

1Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

1Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Time

Habakkuk Writes That The Babylonians Are Becoming A World Power, And Apparently The Revival During The Good King Josiah (640-609 B.C.) Had Faded and the people are back to idolatry. So, Most Likely, This Little Book Was Written During The Reign of The Bad King Jehoiakim (609 – 597 B.C.), King of Judah, Who Rebuilt The High Places And Seduced The People Back Into Idolatry.

 

As In Habakkuk’s time, we now live in uncertain times.  Have you ever wondered why God would permit the evil that is going on in the world?  Have you ever wondered if God really cares about the affairs of mankind?  We have terrible wickedness all around us, does God have a plan?  Well, this is the mindset of God’s prophet Habakkuk and God lifted him to a much higher plain.  God can do the same for us today.  Faith is the key that opens the door.  What is faith?  We will find out that, “Faith is believing God will do what He said He would do.” (Romans 4:21, Hebrews 11)

 

I. Habakkuk’s First Question

 

Habakkuk 1: 1 ¶ The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

 

Toward the end of the reign of Judah, God brought a revival sparked by the Word of God.  But the people seemed to only wanted an external experience But God was on the scene:

 

Sometime before the Babylonian Captivity of Judah, the prophet Habakkuk had a “burden” (Hebrew masa, [4853] meaning literally “a heavy object or something to be lifted up”, but here figuratively like other Old Testament prophets means a “prophetic judgment that is eminent”.  This judgment was concerning his country of Judah. His people had experienced a revival of Temple Worship and observing of the Passover, after the good King Josiah had torn down the high places in which the people had participated in evil Pagan idolatry and remodeled the neglected temple of God.  The Word of God was found hidden in the walls of the temple, and when it was read to the people a revival broke out.

The revival was short lived, however, and after Josiah’s death, King Jehoikim rebuilt the high places and refused to pay tribute to Babylon, as God had instructed.  Instead of putting his trust in God’s Word, Jehoikim put his faith in the protective power of Egypt.  Babylon was, in Habakkuk’s time, becoming a power to reckon with; but was not yet a world power.  Babylon however was ruthless and ungodly.

 

Jeremiah prophesied to Judah during the revival in Josiah’s time, let’s look at a sample of God’s Words through Jeremiah at this time:

 

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

 

Jeremiah 4:1 ¶ If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

Jeremiah 4:2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Jeremiah 4:3 ¶ For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

 

But the people did not adhere to the Lord’s Words:

 

Jeremiah 7:1 ¶ The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

Jeremiah 7:2 Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

Jeremiah 7:3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

Jeremiah 7:4  Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.

Jeremiah 7:5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;

Jeremiah 7:6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

Jeremiah 7:7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

Jeremiah 7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

Jeremiah 7:10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

Jeremiah 7:11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.

 

The people were going to the temple, but listening to the false prophets.

 

What were some of these lying words? Ezekiel tells us from Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar’s second invasion of Judah.  The people’s problem was a form of psychology, much like in our day, along with gross idolatry:

 

Ezekiel 18:2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?

 

Isn’t it amazing that Judah had the same problem we have today – Psychology, in other words, “my problems stem from my parents, or society, etc.”  Blame your own sin on someone or something.  You see, the people were were listening to the false prophets and not God. They were saying something like: “We are idolaters because our parents were idolaters”.

 

The people put their trust in the teaching of the day rather than trust in God – This will bring judgment, but when?

 

Habakkuk 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

Habakkuk 1:3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

 

Habakkuk could see the the developing sin, Judah had turned away from God.  Because of this, even the courts were unjust.  Sounds like the condition of the United States today.  Habakkuk wondered why God had not judged the people of Judah.  Habakkuk was grieved in his heart and wondered if God was going to intervene. God first gave Habakkuk a marvelous answer telling Habakkuk that he needed to expand his vision:

 

II. God’s Reply Extending Into The Future

Habakkuk 1:5 ¶  Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

 

Now this may not look on the surface as extending way into the future, But Paul and Isaiah interpret it for us:

 

1.) Paul quotes Habakkuk in Acts, but concerning Jesus Christ that many would not believe, even though it was prophesied:

 

Acts 13:17  The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Acts 13:18  And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

Acts 13:19  And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

Acts 13:20  And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13:21  And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

Acts 13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Acts 13:23  Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

Acts 13:24  When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Acts 13:25  And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

Acts 13:26  Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Acts 13:27  For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

Acts 13:28  And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

Acts 13:29  And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

Acts 13:30  But God raised him from the dead:

Acts 13:31  And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

Acts 13:33  God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Acts 13:34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

Acts 13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 13:36  For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

Acts 13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

Acts 13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

 

2.) Isaiah gives the same thought concerning the Messiah:

 

Isaiah 52:13 ¶  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Isaiah 52:15  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 53:1 ¶  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Isaiah 53:2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isaiah 53:4 ¶  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

III. God’s Reply With Future Perspective

Habakkuk 1:6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

Habakkuk 1:7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

Habakkuk 1:8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.

Habakkuk 1:9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.

Habakkuk 1:10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.

Habakkuk 1:11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.

God Was Going To Use The Babylonians To Judge Judah, And Then Judge Babylon

 

 

IV. Habakkuk’s Second Question - Developed From God’s Reply

Habakkuk 1:12 ¶  Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Habakkuk 1:14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

Habakkuk 1:15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

Habakkuk 1:16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.

Habakkuk 1:17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

 

V. Habakkuk’s Stand of Faith

 

Habakkuk 2:1 ¶ 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.

 

Habakkuk knew God Would Answer.

 

VI. God’s Reply With Eternal Perspective

 

Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Habakkuk 2:3 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.

 

Notice The words An Appointed Time

 

Habakkuk went to his secret place to wait on the Lord’s Answer.  Habakkuk is going to get his s answer, but the answer he received probably was not what he expected.  The answer is in the form of a comparison of different types of people.

 

It is the same today.  When God looks at the world, He still sees only two types.  The first type is the person who is motivated by Pride and the second is the just person, who who walks by Faith.

 

There is only the just and the unjust.  There is only the saved and the unsaved, and the saved walks by faith.

 

This concept is the central theme in the book of Habakkuk, and probably the central theme of the entire Bible.

 

The just has eternal life – The unjust faces destruction

 

VII. Contrast between The Prideful and the Just

 

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

 

 

This is the “Central Theme” of this book, and maybe the entire Bible.  In fact, Paul directly quotes this verse in three of his Epistles.  This verse is the “central theme” of each Epistle in which Paul quotes.  Each explains the verse in light of one of each of the verses three parts.  (1.) the just (2.) shall live (3.) by faith

 

The Just

Shall Live

By Faith

Romans 1: 16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1: 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

 

(Concerning Abraham)

Romans 4: 20  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4: 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Galatians 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Hebrews 11:9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

 

 

 

 

VIII. Description of the Prideful and the Resulting Wickedness

 

Habakkuk 2:5 ¶  Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Habakkuk 2:6  Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

Habakkuk 2:7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

Habakkuk 2:8 Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

 

Habakkuk 2:9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Habakkuk 2:10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.

Habakkuk 2:11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

 

Habakkuk 2:12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

Habakkuk 2:13 Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

 

Isaiah Also Prophesied About the Lack of Knowledge of God’s People:

 

Isaiah 5: 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

Isaiah 5: 12  And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Isaiah 5: 13  Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Isaiah 5: 14  Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Isaiah 5: 15  And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

Isaiah 5: 16  But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

 

The World Is Not filled With God’s Knowledge Now, but Will Be at the Second Coming – Look At The Progression:

 

Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

 

Ezekiel Saw This Future Event In A Vision:

 

Ezekiel 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.

Ezekiel 43:5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

Ezekiel 43:6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.

Ezekiel 43:7 ¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

Ezekiel 43:8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.

Ezekiel 43:9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

 

Warning Those Who Use Drunkenness To Take Advantage Of His Neighbor

 

Habakkuk 2:15 ¶ Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Habakkuk 2:16 Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD’S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.

Habakkuk 2:17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

 

Warning To The Maker Of Molten Idols

 

Habakkuk 2:18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

 

Warning To Those Who Put Faith In Wood Idols

 

Habakkuk 2:19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

 

Why? The Lord Is Not In His Holy Temple at Jerusalem Today - But

 

Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

 

Psalm 2 explains this very well:

 

Psalm 2:1 ¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

Psalm 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Psalm 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Psalm 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalm 2:7 ¶ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  (Look at Acts 13:33)

Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Psalm 2:10 ¶ Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

 

IX. Habakkuk’s Psalm of Faith

 

Habakkuk 3:1 ¶ A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. (A Musical Instrument) (Habakkuk was also involved in Temple worship as well as being a prophet)

 

Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

 

Poetic Description of God’s Judgment

 

Habakkuk 3:3 ¶ God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

Habakkuk 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.

Habakkuk 3:5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.

Habakkuk 3:6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

Habakkuk 3:8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?

Habakkuk 3:9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.

Habakkuk 3:10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.

Habakkuk 3:11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.

Habakkuk 3:12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.

Habakkuk 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Habakkuk 3:14 Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.

Habakkuk 3:15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.

 

Living By Faith

 

Habakkuk 3:16 ¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Habakkuk 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Habakkuk 3: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

 

To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.