Habakkuk Fights Through Doubt to Faith

Habakkuk 1:12; 2-4

GOLDEN TEXT: “The righteous shall live by his faith.”—Habakkuk 2:4

THE first chapter of this prophecy while directly bearing on conditions in ancient Israel has a very fitting application to the time in which we are living, describing the destructive elements of society which God will use to destroy all the institutions of Christendom built upon human selfishness and unrighteousness. God has often used evil men and nations to chasten and punish other men and nations more culpable because of greater enlightenment.

The use of such means in the disciplining of the nation of Israel is declared by Moses in Deuteronomy 28:15,25,47-52; and it will be recalled that in the history of that nation such was frequently their experience. Prior to their final rejection by our Lord and their scattering throughout the world for the period of the Gospel age, Israel’s most severe punishment of this character occurred when the Ten Tribes were overcome and dispersed by the Assyrians, and later, the remaining tribes were taken captive by the Babylonians and removed from their land.

Assyria, thus used for the punishment of His professing people, is referred to by the Lord as “the rod of Mine anger, and the staff in their hand is Mine indignation.” (Isa. 10:5) That these nations were not themselves righteous is apparent for the Lord reproved the King of Assyria for pride in the success of their arms, saying, “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.”—Isa. 10:15

God’s purpose to later correct these evil nations whom He has temporarily used to discipline His professed people, is stated in verses 24-27. The same thought is given in Jeremiah, chapter 25, where the chastening of both natural Israel and Christendom is described. Note especially verses 7-14.

The opening verse of our lesson—Habakkuk 1:12—has been freely translated, “Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O Protector, Thou hast appointed them to correct nations.” This expresses the confidence of the Lord’s people, that the temporary triumph of the worst elements of society over the better elements is merely for the execution of God’s judgments upon men and systems which have not been obedient to the light they possessed: they are “appointed to correct nations.”

That these evil doers and their evil deeds were not approved by God was recognized by the Prophet Habakkuk and is recognized also by His people today, and that when they have done their work they, too, shall be restrained. “They shall not hurt nor destroy” when Messiah’s Kingdom is established in the earth, following this time of judgment upon the nations and unfaithful religious systems.

In the latter part of chapter one, we have the Prophet’s complaint that the instrument God was to use for the chastisement of Israel was a cruel and idolatrous people, that He held His peace “when the wicked devoureth those more righteous than he”; but his confidence, not-withstanding, that God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity”—evidently, not with sanction or indifference.

In chapter two the prophet states his determination to watch, to stand upon the tower (a fenced place—under the Lord’s protection) and see what the Lord would answer in regard to these momentous events which he had seen in vision. (Hab. 1:1) The answer given in verses two to four is indeed a full and complete one, and we see that it pertains in its fullest application down in the end of this dispensation, “the world that now is,” when the Lord is to “make an utter end” so that “affliction shall not rise up the second time.”—Nahum 1:5-9

This command in Habakkuk 2:2,3, has been obeyed, as our dear Brother Russell declared, “by various means: charts, diagrams, concordances and explanations—the vision or revelation of God’s Word has been placed within the reach of the people.” In verse four, we are assured that every soul lifted up with pride and self-confidence is not upright, but “the just shall live by his faith.” How important is faith! It is the great and necessary element in all who would have God’s approval clear through this reign of sin and evil. All others—all who trust in self—must and will be humbled before they can enter into the joys and blessings of the Millennial Kingdom.—Isa. 2:10-17

QUESTIONS:

Why is the prophecy of Habakkuk specially fitting at the present time?

Does God specially reward those whom He uses to punish His people?

Has Habakkuk’s vision of the last days been made known to the Lord’s people?

Upon what basis are Christians now able to understand the significance of present world events?

What s one of the important conditions upon which the world of mankind may enter into the blessings of the new age?

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