“A Prophet’s Prayer”

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth. (Habakkuk 3:1)

The first two chapters of Habakkuk are a dialogue between the prophet and God. In this discourse, God reveals his intention to punish unrighteous Judah with the violent Chaldeans.  This revelation from God leaves Habakkuk, a man of faith with questions.  “How can a holy God use an idolatrous nation to punish unrighteous Judah?”  God’s answer is recorded in chapters one and two: God would indeed allow the Chaldeans to invade Judah, “But the just shall live by his faith.  (Habakkuk 2:4)   Habakkuk’s reflection are then recited in the prayer that is recorded in chapter 3.  

Though Habakkuk was a righteous man, as a patriot it was difficult for him to contemplate the decimation of his country. Habakkuk’s prayer includes petition, adoration, and a rumination of God’s character at work.  Through such reflection, the prophet imparts consolation in view of the Babylonian invasion. In this chapter we see at least four marvelous pictures of God.

The Onward March of God. (vs. 3-5) The name of God (Eloah) is employed by the prophet to designate God as the governor of the whole world. He is pictured (vs.3) as coming from Teman and Paran – the country south of Judah and the desert region between Judah and Sinai. Jehovah marches on to execute judgment upon the ungodly world with pestilence just as he had done in Egypt. (Vs. 4,5) 

The Works of God (vs. 6,7) God measures the earth and scatters the mountains. The measuring of the earth may refer to God surveying the world as he accounts for the conduct of each nation. He seeks their attention by rocking the mountains and hills. He punished Cushan and Midian, neighboring enemies of Judah, with affliction. God is sovereign over men and kings, and he moves among the nations.

The Wrath of God (Vs. 8)  The prophet pictures Jehovah as a war-like general marching forth against his enemies. He throws all nature (rivers and seas), emblems of the earths population, into consternation. The wrath of God is as much a reality as the love of God.

The Interposition of God in History (vs. 9-16)  Jehovah is pictured as moving through the land and trampling the nations. Though God would use the idolatrous Chaldeans to punish Judah, they too will soon be an object of his displeasure. He will overcome every obstacle which hinders his purpose – namely the salvation of his people.

Dear reader, we do indeed live in troubling times. But, God is the sovereign ruler of the nations. His purposes will not be thwarted. Therefore, let us have the same resolve as the prophet. “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17,18)

By George Slover 
 

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