Habakkuk asks why the cruel Babylonians succeed
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Hab 1:12-17 Habakkuk complains to God again. “LORD, you have chosen the Babylonians to punish people ... Your eyes are too good to look at evil; you cannot stand to see those who do wrong. So how can you put up with those evil people? … How can you be quiet when the wicked swallow up people who are better than they are?” (Habakkuk 1:12-13) Hab 2:1-4 The LORD replies, “The evil nation (Babylon) is very proud of itself; it is not living as it should. But those who are right with God will live by trusting in him.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
A Babylonian Cylinder Seal
God assures Habakkuk that, although they appear to be succeeding at the present time, the Babylonians will be punished in the future for their wickedness. Hab 2:5-14 Habakkuk rails against the Babylonians. “How terrible it will be for the nation that becomes rich by doing wrong... that kills people to build a city, that wrongs others just to start a town. The LORD All-powerful will send fire to destroy what those people have built… Then, just as water covers the sea, people everywhere will know the LORD's glory.” (Habakkuk 2:12-14) Hab 2:15-20 "You Babylonians will be filled with disgrace... The cup of anger from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you." (Habakkuk 2:16) Hab 3:1-19 Habakkuk prays, “LORD, I have heard the news about you; I am amazed at what you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time… But I will wait patiently for the day of disaster that will come to the people who attack us.” (Habakkuk 3:2&16) Hab 3:17-19. Habakkuk concludes, "There may be no olives growing and no food growing in the fields. There may be no sheep in the pens and no cattle in the barns. But I will still be glad in the LORD; I will rejoice in God my Saviour." (Habakkuk 3:17-18) |
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