PROPHET HABAKKUK

"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay,” the soothing voice replied to prophet Habakkuk’s complaints.

God caught the distress signal of his beloved prophet. Yahweh knew exactly how a righteous man would feel after the destruction of Israel, the southern kingdom and the impending doom of the north. Prophet Habakkuk’s heart received a double blow, a complete rebellion from his countrymen and the invading force of idolatrous Babylonians! Like every psalmist would, he vented his frustrations at the God of the Universe, the one who held the earth as his footstool. A vertical release was less dangerous than horizontal ones. To God, anger was part and parcel of the human psych. He was more than able to take the blows of righteous anger and exchange them with comfort of his words.

Habakkuk knelt down as he received God’s words and cried. “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy,” the prophet prayed with an air of confidence. He knew that God had to do what he had to do. God Almighty could stop the advancement of the Babylonians instantly and let Judah escape. That would be counter- productive and improper.

Yes, the gloom and doom were inevitable but Yahweh had a solid future plan! A righteous man or woman needed to wait upon God. A thought came to Habakkuk’s mind, from the words of prophet Isaiah, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Perhaps his contemporary peer, prophet Jeremiah did help with a God-given 70-year time frame of exile. Prophet Habakkuk believed that in the end of everything, the earth would be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters covered the sea. The righteous must live by faith that God would make things right in his own righteous ways!

God gave Habakkuk a clear picture how he would deal a death blow to the Babylonians. After many God-given victories in their conquests, the Babylonians thought that they were superior people and their gods rule supreme. “The cup from the LORD’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory,” the voice of God thundered against Babylon! Habakkuk had to make it plain and simple on tablets, in order for God’s messengers to unmistakably deliver the good news to all!

Then Habakkuk straightened up and burst out singing, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

What would Prophet Habakkuk say to us if he were to be alive today?

1. Anger is a normal emotion but don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.
2. Let our anger and frustrations be made known to God and let His Word comfort you.
3. Do not be happy or gloat over someone who is facing consequences for his/her actions
4. Let us clearly understand the message of the gospel as we seek urgently to transform lives with it.
5. Let us run the race with faith and not by sight.

Next: Prophet Ezekiel
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2009/11/prophet-ezekiel.html