Guest post by Cindy Barnes

Habakkuk, our man of the hour had some serious questions for God. Can you imagine how he felt as he is surrounded by idolatry after years of living in revival? And he is at the point when God tells him the details of the 5 woes that will happen soon.

Let me give you a quick update on the history of Habakkuk’s era. King Josiah is dead now and the revival is over. You can read the full Introduction to the Burden in the Book of Habakkuk if you’d like. Readers are saying that the background info is very helpful in understanding Habakkuk’s era.

I’m sure Habakkuk was in emotional turmoil as he sees how quickly the people reverted to idolatrous living. There are wars going on all around them as they are surrounded by the Assyrians, the Babylonians (Chaldeans, names used interchangeably), and the Egyptians. What Habakkuk doesn’t know is, there are 5 woes coming, but, sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Habakkuk pours out his frustration to God as he seeks an answer to his perplexity. Rachel Schmoyer goes into detail on this in her post, Habakkuk: Perplexed by Injustice. If you missed it, you’ll want to read it before continuing with this post.

Habakkuk’s Second Question

Habakkuk’s first question was “how long will I cry for help?” Habakkuk 1:2. He was so burdened for the nation that after God answered him, he had another set of questions for God.

You know how that happens when you’re having a conversation with someone and something they say triggers further comments or questions for you to ask? It was the same for Habakkuk.

Habakkuk 1:12-2-1

Let’s look at that passage in Habakkuk 1:12-2:1 as it is his turn to respond to what God had just said in the previous verses.

To refresh our memory, God told Habakkuk that He was going to use the most wicked people, the Chaldeans, to teach Judah the importance of remaining faithful to God.

So, Habakkuk responds with Are You not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? We will not die.

He sounds flabbergasted at God’s answer about using the Chaldeans. Well, God did say in Habakkuk 1:5 be astonished! Wonder! You won’t believe it if you heard it.

So, now Habakkuk is saying, ‘really, do you have to? Can you not find another way to teach us a lesson?’

Then very quickly, his question changes as God reveals what He is going to do through the Chaldeans.

Just as quickly, Habakkuk’s questions swing again as he asks God if Your eyes are too pure to look at evil, why will you use the Chaldeans who are very wicked and evil people? Though God doesn’t need the details, Habakkuk tells him how bad these people are. When he stops to take a breath, he ends with a declaration that he will stand guard at his post as he waits for a reply.

Such expectancy! We should all expect God to answer us when we seek Him!

God Answers Habakkuk

I don’t know about you but I am so glad to read God’s response to all of Habakkuk’s questions and complaints. What I notice is God didn’t rebuke him for all his queries. This tells me that when you and I whine and complain to Him, that He will not rebuke us either. He will point out to us what our behaviour looks like but He won’t ridicule us.

God gave Habakkuk instructions to write down the vision, Habakkuk 2:2. This vision isn’t for right now but for an appointed time. Wait for it, it will come, says God.

When God tells us He is going to do something, we can trust God to keep His word.

Scholars figure that the “appointed time” was 585-586 BC when Judah fell captive to the Chaldeans. Look at the timeline. Whose reign does the appointed time fall under? Does that make sense that it would be Nebuchadnezzar?

The Introduction of the 5 Woes

In Habakkuk 2:4-5, God describes the proud man stating his soul is not right within him. But, rejoice, for the righteous will live by his faith. [NASB]

Here’s a question for you to ponder. Why did God mention the righteous man in the middle of His description of the proud and haughty man?

The rest of the chapter is all about the 5 woes that are aimed at the proud and haughty man, the nation that God would use to correct Judah.

5 Woes: #1 — Woe against Aggression

Habakkuk 2:6-8

It is likely that this passage is most likely referring to the Assyrians. (Note: It may also be referring to the Babylonians.) They had a reputation for taking what was not theirs. The victims of this aggression cry out “How long?” as the aggressors continue to take what does not belong to them.

God will not let them get away with that as He says because you have looted many nations, all the remainder of the peoples will loot you because of human bloodshed and violence.

A Kingly Sidenote

King Josiah returned Judah to the LORD and a revival was in the nation.

King Jehoahaz, Josiah’s son, was made the king upon Josiah’s death, but he did evil in the sight of the LORD, 2 Kings23:32. He reigned only three months before being taken captive by the king of Egypt.

King Jehoiakim, birth name was Eliakim, was also Josiah’s son. Like his brother, he also did evil in the sight of the LORD, 2 Kings 23:37.

The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, captured King Jehoiakim to Babylon, 2 Kings 24:1; 2 Chronicles 36:6. King Jehoiakim was later returned to Jerusalem but he was a puppet-king to serve Nebuchadnezzar for three years. Did you know that? Me neither.

5 Woes: #2 — Woe against Coveteousness

Habakkuk 2:9-11

King Jehoiakim (609-597 BC) was the second king to succeed after King Josiah. He was not like his father at all. This second ‘woe’ concerns him building his own nest rather than looking out for his people. God is saying that even the walls will be a witness against him.

5 Woes: #3 — Woe against Violence

Habakkuk 2:12-14

Scripture tells us that only God can build a city, Psalm 127:1 and all other attempts are doomed for failure. Woe to him who builds a city based on violence and bloodshed.

Habakkuk quotes from Isaiah in verse 14 which means that only God knows the future of things to come.

5 Woes: #4 — Woe against Inhumanity

Habakkuk 2:15-17

This is serious stuff. God is saying woe to those who provide alcohol (venom) to others for the purpose of getting them drunk! Such immorality, the desire to see someone naked!

Nothing good comes from this. We have a saying, ‘what goes around, comes around’ and to the Assyrians who disgrace others, they themselves will be disgraced. They will experience utter disgrace. God will not let them get away with their evil deeds. A day of reckoning is coming!

5 Woes: #5  — Woe against Idolatry

Habakkuk 2:18-20

This passage is different than the other four woes. This ‘woe’ is delayed by a comment first. The writer is giving us something to think about prior to delivering the woe.

His questions are, is there any profit in designing idols out of solid material? Is a graven image desired as a teacher of lies? All those things are speechless and cannot respond. Is there any financial profit? These questions were aimed at the Assyrians. Why? Because of their love for idolatry.

And then it hits…”Woe to him…” The woe is announced.

Can a carved image talk? Are these things your teacher?

These things are man-made with wood, metal, gold and silver and have no life.

Assyrians, the LORD is in His holy temple. Know this, you cannot get away from Him. These ‘woes’ will come to pass. The mention of the temple is to recognize that the temple is in heaven. It is a place of power and authority. Heaven’s will comes to earth. What is more powerful than that?

1 Chronicles 16:26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

A Summary

Habakkuk carried a burden for his nation. He lived through a time of revival and now saw the spiritual backsliding of his nation. He was very concerned and perplexed at what God would do.

In crying out to God, he expressed his perplexity. God heard his heart and with compassion and love, He took the time to answer his questions.

In this chapter, God declared the ‘5 woes’ which are serious stuff. When you look at what God said about Judah and the Assyrians, does He seem harsh? After all, Judah is the ancestral line of Christ so why punish them?

Stay tuned for the answer to that question when Rachel returns with her study of Chapter 3.

That’s a Wrap

Here are a few questions to ponder as we wrap up this study.

So, what is your take away from Habakkuk’s second question? Does God’s answer make sense to you?

And what about the 5 woes? Are they harsh or did the Assyrians and Babylonians deserve to reap what they sowed?

And, not that we’re living in Habakkuk’s day, but is there anything here that speaks to you? Are you living the way God wants you to live under grace?

Do you see a parallel of sorts between your country and Judah?

As always, leave me a comment as I’d love to hear from you. I read them all and respond to each one.

Blessings,

Cindy

Cindy Barnes is a Bible Study writer and leader of her Facebook Group Go Gather Grow. Her desire is to Dig Deep in God to Study the Word to Reach the World. Go Gather Grow is a place for women to find encouragement through the Word of God. To learn how to study using the Inductive Study Method and to apply what is learned so we can walk in truth and be a light in the darkness.