Read
2Then the Lord told me:
“I will give you my message
in the form of a vision.
Write it clearly enough
to be read at a glance.
3 At the time I have decided,
my words will come true.
You can trust what I say
about the future.
It may take a long time,
but keep on waiting—
it will happen!
4 “I, the Lord, refuse to accept
anyone who is proud.
Only those who live by faith
are acceptable to me.”
Trouble for Evil People
5Wine is treacherous,
and arrogant people
are never satisfied.
They are no less greedy
than death itself—
they open their mouths as wide
as the world of the dead
and swallow everyone.
6But they will be mocked
with these words:
You're doomed!
You stored up stolen goods
and cheated others
of what belonged to them.
7But without warning,
those you owe
will demand payment.
Then you will become
a frightened victim.
8You robbed cities and nations
everywhere on earth
and murdered their people.
Now those who survived
will be as cruel to you.
9You're doomed!
You made your family rich
at the expense of others.
You even said to yourself,
“I'm above the law.”
10But you will bring shame
on your family
and ruin to yourself
for what you did to others.
11The very stones and wood
in your home
will testify against you.
12You're doomed! You built a city
on crime and violence.
13 But the Lord All-Powerful
sends up in flames
what nations and people
work so hard to gain.
14 Just as water fills the sea,
the land will be filled
with people who know
and honor the Lord.
15You're doomed!
You get your friends drunk,
just to see them naked.
16Now you will be disgraced
instead of praised.
The Lord will make you drunk,
and when others see you naked,
you will lose their respect.
17You destroyed trees and animals
on Mount Lebanon;
you were ruthless to towns
and people everywhere.
Now you will be terrorized.
Idolatry Is Foolish
18What is an idol worth?
It's merely a false god.
Why trust a speechless image
made from wood or metal
by human hands?
19What can you learn from idols
covered with silver or gold?
They can't even breathe.
Pity anyone who says to an idol
of wood or stone,
“Get up and do something!”
20Let all the world be silent—
the Lord is present
in his holy temple.
Reflect
How much do you enjoy waiting? In this chapter, God urges Habakkuk to wait for a future change. While he waits, he is to watch and write down what God says. God intends to bring his judgment in his time and in his way.
He will judge those who have stolen from individuals, communities, even entire nations.
He will judge those who have felt above the law and have shamed themselves and their families with their conduct.
He will judge those who have built communities of crime and violence.
He will judge those whose abuse of alcohol have pushed aside moral boundaries.
How should we wait for God to act?
Let’s watch for “God sightings” – evidence of his intervention in our lives and communities. Training our senses to spot his activity is a useful discipline.
Let’s write down “God truths” – insights into his character and his demands upon our lives. Journalling regularly and reviewing those notes helps us track the big lessons God is seeking to teach us.
Let’s wait actively and listen attentively in silence to the whisper of his still small voice. God awaits and accepts those who humbly live and wait upon him in simple trust.
Respond
Lord, I have such limited patience. May your Spirit produce his fruit in my life. Help me to stay responsive to your shaping. Teach me how to live by faith. Amen.
Keith Edwards
Keith was born and grew up in Thornloe, Ontario. He committed his life to Jesus Christ as a child. After sensing God’s calling, he attended Bible school where he met his wife Ruth. They served in pastoral ministry in various churches. He served as Registrar of Toronto Baptist Seminary and since June 2015 as Director of Church Initiatives & Internships at Heritage College/Seminary in Cambridge. Keith and Ruth live in Oshawa, ON and have two married daughters Carolyn (Alex) and Jane (Andrew) and three delightful grandchildren.