Why, God? Habakkuk 1-2:1 (ESV)

The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?

3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded 5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.

7 They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves; their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour.

9 They all come for violence, all their faces forward 9 They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. 10 At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. 11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!”

12 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One 12 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.

13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? 14 You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler.

15 He brings all of them up with a hook; he drags them out with his net; he gathers them in his dragnet; so he rejoices and is glad. 16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and makes offerings to his dragnet; for by them he lives in luxury, and his food is rich.

17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever? (Hab 2:1)  1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

Ch 1:1-4  Habakkuk complains to God about Judah’s wickedness Ch 1:5-11  God says Babylonians to punish Judah Ch 1:12-2:1 Habakkuk complains, asking why wicked Babylon to punish Judah Ch 2:2-20  God says that Babylon will also be punished for their wickedness Ch 3  Habakkuk’s prayer of praise, faith and trust in God

Habakkuk’s first complaint How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Ps 13:1) Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? (Jer 12:1)

2. God’s answer …wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation... (Hab 1:5-6)

3. Habakkuk’s second complaint 13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? (Hab 1:13)

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. (Ps 34:15-17)

POINT #1: He is God is we are not For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa 55:8-9)

“…Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:3)

POINT #2: Sin, evil and injustice will be judged 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) 6 He will render to each one according to his works. (Rom 2:6)

POINT #3: God hears us and answers our prayers As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Ps 103:13-14)

APPLICATIONS: Don’t complain

APPLICATIONS: Don’t complain Understand who God is and cling to His promises

Some examples of God’s promises: Joshua 1:9, Psalm 145:8, Jeremiah 29:11 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 John 1:9

APPLICATIONS: Don’t complain Understand who God is and cling to His promises Have faith and trust God

…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isa 43:2)

2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2) Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand.  When I act, who can reverse it?” (Isa 43:13)

Jesus has overcome the world! Wonder and be astounded! CONCLUSION Jesus has overcome the world! Our God is greater! Wonder and be astounded! Our God is able!

Yet we will rejoice in the Lord; we will take joy in the God of our salvation!