WHAT

WHAT?
Habakkuk 2:2-17

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Please turn in your Bible to Habakkuk 2.
When I was in elementary school, my good friend Tim slipped and fell by his car. His brother accidentally ran over his arm- yes, ran over his arm with the car; and Tim landed in the hospital. I remember seeing all of the attention that Tim received from everyone, especially the girls. I remember praying, in a sense, that I would receive attention like that. He was getting gifts as well. I was actually jealous of my hospitalized friend. Well, my prayers were answered.

Up until that time, I had never really been injured or in the hospital. Then, it all started to happen. First, I was riding my bike to my grandmother’s house down a steep bumpy hill. I lost control, fell off my bike, hit my head and became unconscious. A neighbor found me in the street. That summer, at camp, I was playing baseball when it was starting to get dark, I misjudged a fly ball; and it hit my face and fractured my cheekbone.

The next year, I went snow skiing for the first time in my life and broke my leg…going up hill. If you haven’t heard this story, you can get the details from me later. So, I find myself in the hospital with a cast that covered my whole leg. Yes, I received some attention, but it wasn’t quite as great as I thought it would be. The broken leg also brought many negative things with it. There were things I could no longer enjoy. There was the unbalance of my body and the failed attempts to travel to places quickly. My leg withered up inside the cast and took a long time to heal. God “answered” my prayer, but not the way I wanted.

She prayed that God would have her whole heart, and that He would do whatever He needed to have her. Soon after that prayer, she found out her husband had struggled for years with a devastating addiction which brought incredible pain to their marriage. It was not the answer she expected from God. It was not what she wanted; but God did answer her prayer. He brought her closer to Him than she had ever been.

He prayed that God would have justice on his boss, who was unreasonable, unfair, and just plain mean. He knew if the boss was out of the way, then everything would be smoother at work and for him in general. Life would be so much better if God would just remove his boss. God answered his prayer, but not the way he expected or hoped. The company went through some downsizing. His boss was moved to another location, but the man whose prayer was answered lost his job.

You could probably plug in your own story here. There is something you desperately want to happen, and so you cry out to God about it. He eventually answers your prayer, perhaps even doing the specific thing you asked. However, the way He answers your prayer is not what you wanted. It is not the way you desired for it to happen. In fact, although your prayer was answered, God’s answer brought new pain and frustration to your life. You might conclude: God, this is not what I prayed for!

2 weeks ago, we talked about Habakkuk’s concern for the sin of God’s people in Judah; and that God decided to answer his prayer for justice by bringing the wicked Chaldeans to bring it on His people. We talked about how we might have that same concern for the sin in the United States of America. We pray for revival, but we desire for God to make things right. We were talking about this in our life group 2 Sunday nights ago.

What if…you cried out to God about the injustices you saw in our land. You listed for God several things that upset you: abortion; perversion of justice in our court system; corruption in politics; people who had cheated you; feeling overtaxed; unfairly treated at work; assaults on Christianity within our own country; and you continued to add to the list. You prayed that God would do something.

After praying for months about this, you turn on your TV to the horrific news: a nuclear device has been set off within the United States. Several foreign enemies of the US are claiming responsibility. Two entire States have been wiped out, with thousands upon thousands of dead already counted. Communication systems have broken down, and there is word that terrorists have infiltrated our government and are trying to take control.

As you process all of this, and try to get your mind around it, God speaks to you. He says: I have answered your prayers. I have judged some of the people you were most concerned about, and I have judged the United States for their sins. I have answered your prayers. How would you feel at that moment? I think you might say something like this: “But, God, this is not what I wanted you to do. You have used people who hate you, outside of the US, to judge us? These people don’t recognize you at all! I didn’t mean for people to die and for our entire national security to be put at risk. I didn’t want you to use THEM to judge us. God: WHY?”

If you can grasp in any way how that might feel, you might be on your way to understanding a little of what Habakkuk was really going through. This prophet of God had cried out to God for justice of His sinful people. God promised to answer His prayer through the more wicked people of the Chaldeans. They would come to Judah, conquer Judah, kill whom they desire, plunder what they want, and then take everyone they desire into captivity for their own service. As you might imagine, Habakkuk never wanted that, and couldn’t believe that God would answer his prayer that way.

But, that is exactly what we learned 2 weeks ago, and Habakkuk responded with his question of WHY? last week. This also lays the foundation for what God is going to say to Habakkuk, to Judah, and to us today. What are we supposed to do as God answers prayer in His way and time; when God carries out His justice His way; when things are not as we would like them to be?

We last left Habakkuk in 2:1, as he says that he would take his position at a high post on the tower and watch what God was going to do, and how God would answer. His main questions could begin with WHAT? WHAT are we supposed to do while you are doing your thing God? And WHAT are you going to do about the wicked Chaldeans whom you have chosen to be the tool of justice for your people Judah?

We have His answers beginning in verse 2 of chapter 2:

Habakkuk 2:2,3 – “And the LORD answered me: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

Again, this was a very personal prophecy. Habakkuk gave his complaints, and then God would answer Him (“the LORD answered me”). And yet, this prophecy was meant for Habakkuk to share with all of God’s people. He was to write it down so that God’s people would receive His written Word.

When God says that he was to write it down so that “he may run who reads it”, He is probably not saying that the person can outrun God’s justice; but that he would act as a herald, a person who would take an important message and proclaim it to all others who needed to hear it. Not unlike the famous cry: “The British are coming! The British are coming!, the ones who read this message were to make sure everyone else knew what the message was.

I suppose we need to ask: “What is the specific message here that needs to be heard by everyone?” God said this is a vision that will played out in time. It has not yet been fulfilled; but God was guaranteeing that it would take place. Be patient, God says; because it will happen at just the right time. What part of the vision? What message? What will take place?

In context, God is talking about this particular answer to the question, to the complaint that Habakkuk just gave. This has to do with Habakkuk’s concern that the Chaldeans (Babylonians) will never be able to be stopped; added to his concern that God is using the cruel Chaldeans to punish Judah. God is going to lay out this vision momentarily; but it has to do with His response to Habakkuk’s concern. Would He take care of the Chaldeans and their sin, at some point? Would this wicked people, opposed to God, ever be brought to justice? God says: “Be patient. It will happen. I don’t lie.” A question from this passage is:

WHAT are we supposed to do?
God says:
· Be patient
· Trust Me

If you have been here the past couple of weeks, you probably notice some consistent themes here. Habakkuk complains, God answers: What I am about to tell you about the judgment of the Chaldeans will take place; but you will have to wait; and trust.

Scholar Craigie points out: “Just as in human life, the timing of certain actions and events is of crucial importance, so it is also in the divine scheme of things…The apparent lack of divine action, which may cause faith to falter, is in reality only our inability to perceive the timing of divine action. We must try to learn Habakkuk’s lesson: ‘If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay’.”

“Without delay” means something different to us than God. Remember the Bible says:

II Peter 3:8 – “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

For believers today, we have been waiting 2,000 years for Jesus Christ to return. It seems like forever! But, to God, it has been just a couple of days since Christ was born and made the promise to return again. It’s no time at all! For Habakkuk and the people of Judah, it would seem like forever before God would actually redeem His people and judge the wicked, including the Chaldeans. But, God promised it would happen – just be patient.

Eventually, God would punish the Chaldeans for their sins. You have heard the phrase: Your sins will find you out. Eventually, those who steal and kill like the Chaldeans did, will be found out and pay the penalty. Years ago, some bank robbers in Montreal robbed the next bank, then in trying to turn their car around for the getaway, they backed the car into a snow bank and left a perfect imprint of their license number. The police met them at home. It was time for justice for them.

Now, God gives the vision for what He is going to do, in the future, to the wicked Chaldeans (Babylonians). In this answer, he includes a description of the Chaldeans themselves, which ultimately brings His judgment upon them:

WHAT have they done?
Habakkuk 2:5 – “Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.”
· They abused alcohol

The Babylonians were said to have been addicted to wine; and we know they used wine to take advantage of others (verse 15). It is used to describe them as a people; and the devastation it can bring just like the Chaldeans brought. Wealth is also an option for translation. One real life example of that for Babylon, in the future, was that they were eventually overrun and conquered while their king, Belshazzar and his leaders were eating and getting drunk at a banquet (Daniel 5). The Bible tells us what an abuse of wine can do, like it did to Babylon:

Proverbs 23:32 – “In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.”

They not only abused alcohol, but they used it for their own advantage against others.

· They were full of pride
Verse 5 – “an arrogant man who is never at rest…”
God is describing the sinful attitude of the Chaldeans, which eventually will lead to their demise. He describes them in verse 5 as a nation that feels they are unbeatable. They feel they can go and overtake any nation at any time. He uses the term “Sheol” to refer to death that everyone eventually experiences. Death never has enough, as people die everyday. That is the picture given to the desire the Chadeans have to take another nation. Once they do take a nation, they are not satisfied, but they want another one. Their pride drives them to desire the wealth and power that comes with overtaking another nation. And they had the ability to do it. It made Habakkuk wonder if anyone could stop them. God is explaining that their own pride will be their downfall.

It is like the sports team that seems unbeatable. They begin to believe that they could never be beaten – they begin to talk like it and act like it. And guess what? Eventually, because of pride they are beaten by a team that is not as talented and don’t belong on the same athletic stage as they do; but they become overconfident and become defeated.

It is like the company you invested in that seems to be a guarantee to make you thousands of dollars. They are strong, with good leadership, and your stock continues to rise. All of a sudden, bad business decisions lead to a business collapse and you instantly lose all of your investments. Overconfidence led to greed, which led to destruction.

It is like the ministry that is well known around the world. Their ministers have everything and the money is pouring in. But, pride leads to hidden sin, which eventually comes out in the open; and all of a sudden, there is a scandal, and it all goes away. A once proud ministry is the butt of jokes and has brought a lot of disappointment to a lot of people. Not to mention, it has brought shame to the name of Christ and Christianity.

Habakkuk 2:6-8 – “Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own – for how long? – and loads himself with pledges! Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.”

WHAT will happen to them?
· They will be destroyed by the ones they attacked

Beginning in verse 6, we have a term: “Woe” that is a term used for facing some type of coming destruction or judgment. In this case, there are 5 “woes” that announce what is going to happen to the Chaldeans and why. The first woe is that they will be destroyed by the ones they used to dominate themselves.

Verse 6 says that those who have been conquered will cry out “How long?”, just like Habakkuk is doing and Judah will do. How long will this nation continue to steal from others, adding to their own wealth and power?

The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary gives some detail as to what the Chaldeans would do, in terms of multiplying their wealth at the expense of others: “After their victories over the Assyrians at Carchemish in 605 B.C. capped by their push down the Mediterranean coast after the fleeing Egyptians (previous allies), the Chaldeans soon became masters of all Syro-Palestine. Other campaigns led Nebuchadnezzar to Asia Minor, Egypt and Arabia. Eventually the whole southern portion of the once-vast Assyrian empire lay under Chaldean control. The eagerness of the Chaldeans to take captive men and material wealth is often recorded in the Babylonian Chronicles.”

You may have noticed that we have financial terms used here to explain what will happen. The Chaldeans “collected” other nations (vs.5), and they load up pledges (vs. 6). However, eventually, their debtors, whom they extorted; even these victims will arise and plunder the Chaldeans.

The Chaldeans will experience the principle of Scripture:
Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

Proverbs 22:8 – “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity…”


Enron Corporation was an American energy company based in Houston, Texas. Before its bankruptcy in late 2001, Enron employed around 22,000 people and was one of the world's leading electricity, natural gas, pulp and paper, and communications companies, with claimed revenues of $111 billion in 2000. Fortune named Enron "America's Most Innovative Company" for six consecutive years. At the end of 2001 it was revealed that its reported financial condition was sustained mostly by institutionalized, systematic, and creatively planned accounting fraud. Enron has since become a popular symbol of willful corporate fraud and corruption.
In August of 2000, Enron's stock price hit its highest value of $90. At this point Enron executives, who possessed the inside information on the hidden losses, began to sell their stock. At the same time, the general public and Enron's investors were told to buy the stock. Executives told the investors that the stock would continue to climb until it reached possibly the $130 to $140 range, while secretly unloading their shares.

As executives sold their shares, the price began to drop. Investors were told to continue buying stock or hold steady if they already owned Enron because the stock price would rebound in the near future. Kenneth Lay's strategy for responding to Enron's continuing problems was in his demeanor. As he did many times, Lay would issue a statement or make an appearance to calm investors and assure them that Enron was headed in the right direction.

By August 15, 2001, Enron's stock price had fallen to $42. Many of the investors still trusted Lay and believed that Enron would rule the market. They continued to buy or hold their stock and lost more money every day. As October closed, the stock had fallen to $15. Many saw this as a great opportunity to buy Enron stock because of what Kenneth Lay had been telling them in the media. Their trust and optimism proved greatly misplaced.

Lay has been accused of selling over $70 million worth of stock at this time, which he used to repay cash advances on lines of credit. He sold another $20 million worth of stock in the open market. Also, Lay's wife, Linda, has been accused of selling 500,000 shares of Enron stock totaling $1.2 million on November 28, 2001.

News of Enron's problems, including the millions of dollars in losses they had been hiding went public about 10:30 that morning, and the stock price soon fell to below one dollar.
People were lied to. People trusted in what they thought was a trustworthy company with a sure and secure future. They were willing to risk their life savings, in some cases…and they lost it all. The company that had prospered decided to prosper illegally and thought they were invincible. Eventually, every corrupt company, every corrupt nation, will have its day of destruction. And although they take a lot of people with them, God promises to judge in His time.

What will happen here to the Chaldeans is described in verse 6: “these take up their taunt against [them].” Those victims and other onlookers will begin to taunt and mock those who had destroyed, those who would now lose their pride and power. It would be like those who mocked the leaders of Enron.

Several years ago, while living in Florida, I went to the famed Orange Bowl in Miami for a college football bowl game between the University of Southern California Trojans and my Iowa Hawkeyes. Although my Hawkeyes scored on the opening kickoff, they were then “blown out” by the Trojans the rest of the game. While my dad and I and most of the Hawkeye fans began to leave early, the Trojan fans let us hear it: Over rated! Overrated! Overrated! The Hawkeyes had a high ranking at that time and they were mocking and taunting us and our team.

The Chaldeans who once did the taunting, will be taunted themselves. How the mighty have fallen! It will happen…eventually, says God.
WHAT have they done?
· They have tried to protect themselves as they planned to destroy others

Habakkuk 2:9 – “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm!”

The Chaldeans were all about gain for themselves. And like an eagle high above, setting their nest, thinking that no one can touch them. They are secure, they are safe… They are arrogant. They are clueless.

Have you ever come upon someone in authority, in your family, in ministry, in school, in business, who thinks he is untouchable? He thinks he is in charge and will always be – and acts like it? That was the Chaldeans mindset. So,

WHAT will happen to them?
Habakkuk 2:10 – “You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life.”
· They will die
What they did for pride in cutting off many nations actually brings shame to them and the blood they spilt thinking it protected their lives would actually bring about their own death and demise. What foolishness! What else will happen to them?

· Their destruction will testify against them

Habakkuk 2:11 – “For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond.”

This is written, in a way, like a court case against the Chaldeans. Here, you have witnesses that testify against them. However, these are not live witnesses, because they have killed everyone. Have you ever heard stories of people who were killed because they were about to testify against someone who had the power to kill them? But, in this case, even if the Chaldeans were able to wipe out every person in every nation who could testify against them, there would be another witness.

Have you ever heard of a prosecuting attorney say that although the victim is dead, she testifies from the grave, because her blood or clothing or warning speak out against the defendant? In this case, the stones and beams from the homes destroyed by the Chaldeans cries out against them, saying: “you are guilty. You have looted us and killed those who owned us. These Chaldeans were cruel and have gained what they have gained through destruction and deceit.”

WHAT have they done?
· Shed the blood of others for their own benefit

Habakkuk 2:12 – “Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!”

The cities of the Babylonian empire were built with the hard labor of the slaves taken in captivity. They used them to build their towns, then abused them, and finally disposed of them as desired. What they have is because of sin.

Habakkuk 2:15 – “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink – you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!”

WHAT have they done?
· They took advantage of their enemies
Here, the Chaldeans are described as a neighbor who encourages you to get drunk, only then to take sexual advantage of you – to use you for his own pleasure; or just to shame you – to make fun of you for personal entertainment. That was the sinful character of the Chaldeans. They found pleasure in using others for self-gratification.

WHAT will happen to them?
Habakkuk 2:13,14 – “Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

· God will destroy them

The sovereign God speaks and says that all the hard labor and craftsmanship of those enslaved will be for nothing when God destroys Babylon.

“The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD”
This shows the comparison between the empire of Babylon which will end up in ashes and the rest of the earth which will know the glory of God one day. Isaiah the prophet had said:

Isaiah 11:9 – “…For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

Here, Habakkuk states that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD. This looks ahead to the time when Jesus Christ will come to rule and reign in all of His glory, and the entire earth will see it. This demonstrates how great God is compared to how temporary and small Babylon is. Just as the sea is all covered by water, so the earth will be completely covered by God’s glory. Everyone will recognize who is in control:

Philippians 2:10,11 – “So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This prophecy of the destruction of Babylon does not end with the Chaldeans of that day; but is used years later in a couple of different ways:
· To encourage those going through persecution
Hebrews 10:37,38 – “For, Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith…”

This is a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. This is also used in a broader way:
· To describe all those who oppose God as Babylon the Great, which will then receive judgment when Christ returns (Revelation 17,18)

Now, back to what would happen to the Chaldeans in the near future. God would destroy them. The ones who brought shame to other nations, including His own people would be filled with shame. God would have all the glory, and the Chaldeans who lusted for glory would experience the humiliation they had brought on so many before.

Habakkuk 2:16,17 – “You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory! The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.”

They had caused others to drink so they could shame them in their nakedness. Now, God says, let’s see your nakedness Chaldeans, and show that, being uncircumcised, you are not my chosen people. The cup in the LORD’s right hand is a picture of a cup full of judgment ready to be poured out on His enemy: the Chaldeans.

The violence that the Chaldeans had brought on others would be brought on them. In particular, the nation of Lebanon is mentioned in verse 17. According to Walvoord and Zuck: “This was a nation north of Israel, known for its abundance of cedar trees and wild animals. It had suffered the ruthless removal of timber for Babylonian buildings and the destructive slaughter of beasts that lived in the forests…They had not only wrecked the forests and ravaged the hillsides, but had also ruined lands and cities and everyone in them.”

Many of us have seen the TV game show, “Family Feud.” Here are some actual, but not so good, answers from contestants who have appeared on that game show:Name something a blind person might use: a swordName a bird with a long neck: a penguinName something that floats in the bath: waterName a number you have to memorize: 7Name something that flies that doesn’t have an engine: dishesName a famous bridge: the bridge over troubled watersName a continent: ItalyName an animal you might see at the zoo: a dogName a kind of ache: a pancakeName a part of the body beginning with ’N’: knee

What in the world were they thinking? Those answers aren’t even close! But, guess what? Our reaction to answers like that to those questions is similar to what Habakkuk and Judah were feeling with the answers that God was giving. They sounded just as preposterous and made no sense. There seemed to be no answer to why God had not yet judged the sins of His people. And when an answer did come, it was ridiculous: I am going to use the wicked Chaldeans to judge you. What in the world are you thinking? God’s answers sometimes make no sense to us; and that is why, in the midst of injustice, and in the midst of God doing what He will do, when He chooses to do it, and how, we must respond to a theme the prophet Habakkuk reveals in chapter 2.

WHAT are we supposed to do? There is one more thing to add to the list of what the people of God were supposed to do back in Habakkuk’s day; and it is the same thing we are supposed to be doing today. It goes to a theme for the book of Habakkuk, and it is the overall SO WHAT? question and answer for this study and for today. You might have wondered why we skipped this verse earlier: Look back at:

Habakkuk 2:4 – “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright with him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

This is a great summary of the character of the Chaldeans: they are full of pride. They have a sinful soul. But, the people of God are to be completely different. There is a specific characteristic used to describe “the righteous”. The righteous are not some impossibly perfect people somewhere. The righteous are a description of those who are attempting to follow God and His ways.

For believers today, it is a description of how God sees every believer: as righteous. What we struggle with is living in a practical way up to that position of righteousness that we have through Jesus Christ. It is a daily battle. But, here in Habakkuk, we have a descriptive phrase that tells us how the people of God are supposed to be living: “the righteous shall live by his faith.” This makes it very personal. This is not just a nation, but this is for every individual who claims to know God.

WHAT are we supposed to do?
· Live by faith

“Faith” could be translated “steadfastness” or “faithfulness”. Those who are right with God will live in faithfulness. To “live” this way is to experience each day, humbly following God; which is in stark contrast to how the Chaldeans were living, and to how the enemies of God live today. And, being honest, even we who are followers of Jesus Christ, struggle to humbly walk with God each day. But, this is what should describe us.

If we are living by faith, fully trusting that God is in control and will judge justly (in His time and in His way), then we will seek to live in a way that honors Him. The two ideas are connected, and I believe both are in view here. So, all this talk in Habakkuk about the evil Chaldeans finally being judged by God – how does this relate to us “living by faith”?

Consider if any of these are true or have been true of you:
· Your spouse mistreated, even abused you in some way
· Your children have been disobedient and disrespectful
· Your parents did not treat you in the right way and have caused great harm to your life now
· Your boss unjustly fired you or treats you as slave labor
· Someone stole from you in some way
· Someone started a vicious rumor about you
· Someone physically injured you
· Think of any person who has been unjust to you and seemingly has not been accountable or punished for it.

You are not able to bring discipline on them. It is out of your control. Live by faith. Are you willing to trust God, that in His time and way, He will bring complete and perfect justice on that person, that group, that business, that organization, that nation? Understand, you are not able to decide when and how it happens. You live by faith by demonstrating self-control, by refusing to take your own revenge; and by placing these abusers in the hands of God. And you go on in your life, seeking to honor God, without worrying about how or when He will have justice. Yes, it might happen in this lifetime; but it may very well not happen until they die – and the timing of that is up to God as well.

If you are able to give these things to God and live by faith, you can have the peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7). You can concentrate, focus on what God wants to do in and through you today, rather than obsessing over all the injustices you have endured at the hands of others. Give it, give them to God. You: Live by faith.