Habakkuk 3:1-19
Q.1. What appeal did the prophet make to God? What vision did Habakkuk reveal about God? How does his description suggest that history repeats itself? – (Hab.3:1-15)
To be sure, Habakkuk feared the shocking judgment that was to come. That can be a reality for all God’s children when judgment falls because the destruction is not always selective or restricted to the wicked. The prophet accepted the pending doom of the nation, but pleaded for God’s mercy – Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy (Hab.3:2). Habakkuk acknowledged that the judgment by foreign nations is actually at the hand of the Holy One descending (Hab.3:3-6). However, His action had been equally displayed against the evil of all other nations as well – 12 In indignation You marched through the earth; In anger You trampled the nations. 13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for the salvation of Your anointed. You struck the head of the house of the evil to lay him open from thigh to neck (Hab.3:12-13 c.f. 7-11 & 14-13). The prophet never questioned the character of God. He declared – … His splendour covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise … His ways are everlasting (Hab.3:3, 6).
Q.2. How did the pending doom affect Habakkuk? How did the prophet’s belief about God’s character and ultimate victory comfort him? – (Hab.3:16-19)
Habakkuk was deeply impacted by the vision he was asked to record – I heard and my inward parts trembled, at the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, for the people to arise who will invade us (Ecc.3:16 c.f. 2:2-3). Nevertheless, he had confidence that Israel’s future was assured. He stated – 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines. Though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food. Though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation (Hab.3:17-18). Rather than stumble over the discipline God was inflicting on his people, Habakkuk was as ‘sure-footed’ as a rock goat (Hab.3:19).