The LORD’s Second Answer to the Perplexed Prophet The LORD’s Second Answer to the Perplexed Prophet --Habakkuk 2:6-20 Part 2

Outline Exploitation (6-8) Corruption (9-11) Oppression (12-14) Self-Gratification (15-17) Idolization (18-20)

Outline Exploitation (6-8)

Outline Exploitation (6-8) Corruption (9-11)

Outline Exploitation (6-8) Corruption (9-11) Oppression (12-14)

Habakkuk 2:12-14 12 "Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed And founds a town with violence! 13 "Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing? 14 "For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.

III. Oppression (12-14) Reason for the woe: oppression, pillaging, promoting violence, bloodshed Mark 8:36 Empires built on bloodshed & violence will not stand… The prophecy of Jeremiah 50:32; 51:58

III. Oppression (12-14) Habakkuk 2:14 is a prophecy found all throughout the Old Testament: Numbers 14:21; Psalm 72:29; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 11:9; Jeremiah 31:34; (New Testament: Revelation 16:19-18:24) These are all about God’s glory! This woe is an indictment upon the devaluing of human life.

Outline Exploitation (6-8) Corruption (9-11) Oppression (12-14) Self-Gratification (15-17)

Habakkuk 2:15-17 15 "Woe to you who make your neighbors drink, Who mix in your venom even to make them drunk So as to look on their nakedness! 16 "You will be filled with disgrace rather than honor. Now you yourself drink and expose your own nakedness. The cup in the LORD'S right hand will come around to you, And utter disgrace will come upon your glory. 17 "For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, And the devastation of its beasts by which you terrified them, Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land, To the town and all its inhabitants.

IV. Self-Gratification (15-17) Self-Gratification also speaks of perversion; pleasure-seeking; shaming others to make self feel good. A warning of flirting with sin… Prophecy of Jeremiah 25:15-17

Outline Exploitation (6-8) Corruption (9-11) Oppression (12-14) Self-Gratification (15-17) Idolization (18-20)

Habakkuk 2:18-20 18 "What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it, Or an image, a teacher of falsehood? For its maker trusts in his own handiwork When he fashions speechless idols. 19 "Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, 'Awake!' To a mute stone, 'Arise!' And that is your teacher? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all inside it. 20 "But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him."

V. Idolization (18-20) Ephesians 5:5, “…covetousness = a form of idolatry…” Dr. Adrian Rogers, “Anything you love more, fear more, serve more, or value more than God is your idol.” 1 Kings 18:19-29

Conclusions The destruction of evil and suffering is certain and absolute… …just as the glorious triumph of God is absolute and certain! God gives assurance and hope even in the midst of difficult times. Verse 4 –God’s amazing grace Verse 14 – God’s awesome glory Verse 20 – God’s perpetual government

Conclusions The process of questioning God brought to light in the prophet’s mind and heart God’s assurance and perspective. God operates in mysterious ways.