The prophet brings us a foretelling, a description of a time when, in Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, like the waters cover the sea”. The prophet tells us of the splendor and brightness and strength of the Lord. But the prophet also says, in Habakkuk 2:11–12 “For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the plaster from the wood will answer it” and they are crying out to the Lord to avenge bloodguilt and wickedness. So, in Habakkuk 3:13 “You (the Lord) went forth for the salvation of your people” and, the prophet goes on to say this as if it were already done “you crushed the head of the house of wickedness”.
The Earth Will be Filled
Habakkuk 2:11–20
There is coming a time, and this is what the prophets bring us, knowledge of the Lord’s plan and purpose, when in
Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, like the waters cover the sea”.
We forget that in
Habakkuk 2:11–12 For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the plaster from the wood will answer it. 12 Woe to him who builds a city by bloodguilt, and who founds a city by wickedness!
or as it says in
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now.
and what is creation waiting for? It is waiting for us, the ones that follow Jesus Christ in Romans 8:29 “that he should be the firstborn among many brothers”. So, creation is waiting in
Romans 8:19 For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God.
I belabor this point because all of God’s creation cries out to Him against evil, in
Genesis 4:10 “The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground”.
and all of those murdered for their testimony cry out to the Lord in
Revelation 6:9-10 ‘those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God … they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, holy and true Lord, will you not judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?”’
and the Lord will answer those who live in wickedness in
Habakkuk 2:16 “The cup of the right hand of Yahweh will come around upon you and disgrace upon your glory”.
I Have Heard the Report of You
Habakkuk 3:1–9
There is stark contrast between the awe of the Lord at the beginning in
Habakkuk 3:2 O Yahweh, I have heard the report of you; O Yahweh, I stand in awe of your works. In the midst of the years, revive it! In the midst of the years, make it known!
and the recognition of the Lords wrath at the end
Habakkuk 3:2 In wrath, may you remember to show compassion.
And again he begins with splendor and brightness and strength as he describes the Lord in
Habakkuk 3:3–4 God came from Teman; the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covers the heavens, and his praise fills the earth. 4 And his brightness was like the light; flashing rays came from his hand for him; And there is the covering of his strength.
then comes destruction and trembling “at his feet” in
Habakkuk 3:5–6 Before him went Disease, and Pestilence went out at his feet. 6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and made the nations tremble. Then the mountains of old were shattered; the hills of old collapsed. The ways of old belong to him.
The message is often lost as people see great power and holiness, but also utter destruction. It is that the Lord’s holiness, his righteousness cannot abide sin. But there is also his love and mercy that hate destruction and will make a way for anyone that turns toward him. This is why it says in this, my preferred translation of
Psalm 85:10 (ASV 1901) Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Righteousness requires absolute perfection, truth exposes every flaw, mercy forgives and gives strength to the weak, peace reconciles repairing the breach.
You Went Forth for the Salvation of Your People
Habakkuk 3:10–19
We are given free will, so evil may exist for a time but the Lord will take action in
Habakkuk 3:13 “You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of wickedness, laying bare from the foundation to the top”.
The innocent and blameless and even the righteous may be caught up in the judgement of the wicked. There are times when a bad situation turns worse as the wicked lash out. But the prophet reminds us that even through lean times where the harvest is disrupted, “my Lord is my strength” in
Habakkuk 3:17–19 “Though the fig tree does not blossom, nor there be fruit on the vines; the yield of the olive tree fails, and the cultivated fields do not yield food; the flock is cut off from the animal pen, and there is no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will rejoice in Yahweh; I will exult in the God of my salvation. 19 Yahweh, my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer; he causes me to walk on my high places”.
Peace, Peace,’ but There is No Peace
Jeremiah 8:4–13
My Comfort is Gone From Me
Jeremiah 8:14–20
Is There No Balm in Gilead?
Jeremiah 8:21–9:3
Study Verses
- Habakkuk 2:11–20 The Earth Will be Filled
- Habakkuk 3:1–9 I Have Heard the Report of You
- Habakkuk 3:10–19 You Went Forth for the Salvation of Your People
Today’s Reading
- Habakkuk 2:11-20
- Habakkuk 3:1-19
- Jeremiah 8:4-22
- Jeremiah 9:1-3