Hearing from the God of the Unexpected Habakkuk 2:2-20 Lewis Winkler

Habakkuk 1:1-2:1 in Review There is evil and injustice in Israel and God seems to be doing nothing about it. There is evil and injustice in Israel and God seems to be doing nothing about it. Habakkuk asks God for an explanation. Habakkuk asks God for an explanation. God tells Habakkuk that He will deal with Israel by sending the Babylonians to conquer and exile the Israelites. God tells Habakkuk that He will deal with Israel by sending the Babylonians to conquer and exile the Israelites. Habakkuk is shocked and dismayed by this response since he believes it compromises God’s righteousness and jeopardizes the fulfilment of His covenant promises to Israel. Habakkuk is shocked and dismayed by this response since he believes it compromises God’s righteousness and jeopardizes the fulfilment of His covenant promises to Israel. Habakkuk takes his stand and waits for God to explain Himself. Habakkuk takes his stand and waits for God to explain Himself.

What is a theodicy? God is all-good, all-knowing and all- powerful. God is all-good, all-knowing and all- powerful. He desires justice to be carried out upon the earth. He desires justice to be carried out upon the earth. He knows how to bring about this justice. He knows how to bring about this justice. He is able to bring about this justice. He is able to bring about this justice. Therefore, how can He be justified in allowing evil and injustice in the world? Therefore, how can He be justified in allowing evil and injustice in the world?

Possible (wrong) answers to this (apparent) problem: Deny God’s existence (Atheism). Deny God’s existence (Atheism). Deny God’s absolute justice/goodness (Revisionism). Deny God’s absolute justice/goodness (Revisionism). Deny God’s absolute knowledge (Open Theism). Deny God’s absolute knowledge (Open Theism). Deny God’s absolute power (Deism). Deny God’s absolute power (Deism).

What, then, is the solution? God has good reason (or reasons) for allowing a limited amount of injustice in the world.

What is (are) that (those) reason(reasons)? Evil is a necessary corollary to human freedom and responsibility. Evil is a necessary corollary to human freedom and responsibility. Evil makes certain higher virtues (like courage and self-sacrifice, for example) possible. Evil makes certain higher virtues (like courage and self-sacrifice, for example) possible. There are only two types of beings possible in the universe, corruptible and incorruptible. God alone is incorruptible. Thus, if He chooses to create other beings, they must necessarily be corruptible and subject to weakness, error, and outright wrong-doing. There are only two types of beings possible in the universe, corruptible and incorruptible. God alone is incorruptible. Thus, if He chooses to create other beings, they must necessarily be corruptible and subject to weakness, error, and outright wrong-doing. Evil is one important part of God’s means for developing mature human persons (sometimes called, “soul-making”). Evil is one important part of God’s means for developing mature human persons (sometimes called, “soul-making”). What we consider evil and unjust often has a greater meaning and significance in God’s plan and economy which we cannot fully comprehend or appreciate due to our limitations and corruptibility. What we consider evil and unjust often has a greater meaning and significance in God’s plan and economy which we cannot fully comprehend or appreciate due to our limitations and corruptibility.

Some Possible Biblical Answers: God’s greater glory and purpose is unknown by us in advance and often only revealed later in time (Joseph in Genesis). God’s greater glory and purpose is unknown by us in advance and often only revealed later in time (Joseph in Genesis). He knows exactly what He is doing even if it doesn’t always look that way to us. Until we are able to explain all the mysteries and inner workings of the universe, we are better off humbly expressing our finite ignorance and letting God take care of it in the way He sees fit (Job). He knows exactly what He is doing even if it doesn’t always look that way to us. Until we are able to explain all the mysteries and inner workings of the universe, we are better off humbly expressing our finite ignorance and letting God take care of it in the way He sees fit (Job). Justice will be served, but not necessarily by our desired methods or within our desired time-frame (Habakkuk). Justice will be served, but not necessarily by our desired methods or within our desired time-frame (Habakkuk).

Habakkuk 2:2-5: Record the Vision and Live by Faith Record the vision (verses 2-3). Record the vision (verses 2-3). Pride is unfulfilling, and prevents people from doing what is right, as well as understanding and trusting in God (verse 4-5). Pride is unfulfilling, and prevents people from doing what is right, as well as understanding and trusting in God (verse 4-5). The righteous, however, live by faith in God (verse 4). The righteous, however, live by faith in God (verse 4).

A Tale of Two Preachers: Chuck Chuck Will Will

Habakkuk 2:6-20: Five Woes and Judgments upon Babylon: Woe to the Plunderer (verses 6-8). Woe to the Plunderer (verses 6-8).

Habakkuk 2:6-20: Five Woes and Judgments upon Babylon: Woe to the seeker of sordid gain (verses 9-11). Woe to the seeker of sordid gain (verses 9-11).

Bernie Madoff, Just One More Seeker of Sordid Gain

Habakkuk 2:6-20: Five Woes and Judgments upon Babylon: Woe to the Violent Oppressor (verses Woe to the Violent Oppressor (verses12-14).

Recent Oppressive and Violent Kingdoms: Joseph Stalin Benito Mussolini Adolf Hitler Emperor Hirohito Pol Pot Saddam Hussein

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” —verse 14

Habakkuk 2:6-20: Five Woes and Judgments upon Babylon: Woe to the Debaucher (verses 15-17). Woe to the Debaucher (verses 15-17).

Habakkuk 2:6-20: Five Woes and Judgments upon Babylon: Woe to the Idolater (verses 18-20). Woe to the Idolater (verses 18-20).

Isaiah 44:9-19

“But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.” —verse 20

The ISOT, California Saga:

My Commitment to Go Overseas Long-Term: The Caleb Declaration

The ISOT, California Saga: From California...

... to Singapore

Conclusion and Application: Read Daniel 4:28-37 Read Daniel 4:28-37 Read Daniel 5. Read Daniel 5. Remember, God will ultimately make every wrong right and provide justice for all, even if and when He is silent for the time being. Remember, God will ultimately make every wrong right and provide justice for all, even if and when He is silent for the time being.

“Silence” by Joy Williams Are you listening to anything that I say ‘Cause I’ve been praying How many prayers can I pray I’m still waiting Maybe You’ll show up today I know You’re here, but I can’t feel You And if You’re speaking, I can’t hear You How much longer will this last

So okay, answer me with silence It’s okay if You don’t say a word You’re testing me to trust You’ll be faithful in this quiet So okay, answer me... with silence “Silence” by Joy Williams

Why do I question Your intentions for me When Your affection is a proven legacy Oh Father, Father, turn my fears into peace I know Your love will never leave I know You want what’s best for me “Silence” by Joy Williams

So okay, answer me with silence It’s okay if You don’t say a word ‘Cause You’re testing me to trust You’ll be faithful in this quiet So okay, answer me... with silence “Silence” by Joy Williams

You’re testing me to trust You’ll be faithful in this quiet “Silence” by Joy Williams

Oh, it’s okay if You answer me with silence And it’s okay if You don’t say a word You’re testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet So okay, answer me... with silence “Silence” by Joy Williams