Reflections on Evil, Justice, and Divine Response in Habakkuk
Explore the themes of evil, justice, and divine intervention as depicted in the books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. Witness the struggles of the righteous amidst a world plagued by sin and injustice, seeking answers from a God who promises to punish evil, reward the righteous, and establish ultimate justice.
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Nahum: The Consequences of Sin Destruction of Nineveh Habakkuk: The Problem of Evil Evil Punished Righteous Rewarded Zephaniah The Day of the Lord is Coming! Day of Judgment for Judah
Habakkuk Habakkuk the righteous will live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) Puzzled By The Problem of Evil Wicked Prosper Innocent Suffer
The Prophet & the Righteous Surrounded by Evil How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And Thou wilt not hear? I cry out to Thee, "Violence!" Yet Thou dost not save. Why dost Thou make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. Therefore, the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore, justice comes out perverted. (Hab. 1:2-4)
Sins of Judah Zephaniah Apostasy (1:6; Heb. 3:12) Double-minded (1:5; Mt. 6:24) Idolatry (1:4-5; Col. 3:5) Foreign Garments (1:8; Col. 3:12-17) Violence, Robbery, Deceit (1:9; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19-21) Crooked Merchants (1:11; Eph. 4:28) Practical Atheism (1:12; 1 Cor. 10:12) Trust in Wealth (1:18; Mt. 6:19-21)
Have you ever felt this way? Pride parades in major cities! Criminals arrested, but quickly back out on the streets. 2 Systems of justice one for the wealthy and/or well-connected, and another for the rest of us. Defend self or others, you might go to jail. Frustrated at the inconsistencies you see?
God Answers (Habakkuk 1:5-11) Chaldeans: His instrument to punish Judah Judah s defeat was brought about by God Babylonians could not have defeated them if it wasn t God s will Brought about another question: Why would God use a more wicked nation to punish a less wicked nation?
Their Strength Is Their god! Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on. But they will be held guilty, They whose strength is their god." (Hab. 1:11) Are there people like this today? Dictators Athletes Wealthy Famous Ability Power Success = god
God Answers the 2nd Question He will punish evil Reward the righteous Bring justice Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. (Hab. 2:4)
Babylon Will Be Punished The Message was Plain and Public: I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. (Hab. 2:1-3)
Babylon Punished (2:6-20) Woe to those who: Take what is not theirs (6-8) Live on profit from stolen goods (9-11) Live by bloodshed & violence (12-14) Disgrace others (15-17) Worship idols (18-20)
Habakkuks Response: He would wait for God to carry out His promise (3:16) He would remain faithful to God and praise Him (3:17-18) He would find strength in the Lord (3:19)
The Just Shall Live By Faith ( Hab. 2:4) New Testament Teaches: Saved by faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11) We must have faith (Heb. 11:6) Not just I believe in God. But I believe in God enough to obey Him. We must remain faithful (Heb. 10:38-39) Remain true to God regardless of the circumstances!
