What are the "taunts" mentioned, and how do they relate to justice? Orientation to the Passage Habakkuk 2:6 opens with the question, “Will not all of them take up a taunt against him…?”. What follows is a series of five “woes.” In Hebrew poetry a woe–oracle is a formal, court-room-style indictment. Here they function as divinely inspired taunts—public, mocking proclamations of guilt and coming judgment on the Babylonian oppressor (and, by extension, on any nation or person who fits the same pattern). Listing the Five Taunts 1. 2:6–8 – Greedy plundering • “Woe to him who increases what is not his… and loads himself with many pledges!” 2. 2:9–11 – Predatory self-security • “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the hand of disaster!” 3. 2:12–14 – Violent nation-building • “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice!” 4. 2:15–17 – Debauchery and exploitation • “Woe to him who gives his neighbor drink, pouring it out… so as to look on their nakedness!” 5. 2:18–20 – Idolatry • “Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’… There is no breath in it at all.” How Each Taunt Connects to Divine Justice • Greedy plundering → Verse 8 promises exact repayment: “The remnant of peoples will plunder you.” Justice is measured—what was taken will be taken back (cf. Obadiah 15). • Predatory self-security → Verse 10 says, “You have sinned against yourself.” Sin boomerangs; the very schemes meant to ensure safety become the cause of ruin (Proverbs 26:27). • Violent nation-building → Verse 13 underscores God’s sovereignty: the LORD makes their toil feed only the fire. Human achievement built on blood is destined for ashes (Psalm 127:1). • Debauchery and exploitation → Verse 16: “The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you.” The imagery of the cup of wrath (Jeremiah 25:15) shows moral reciprocity—shame for shame. • Idolatry → Verse 20 contrasts lifeless idols with the living God in His temple, demanding world-wide silence. Justice means the true King alone receives worship (Exodus 20:3). Big Themes of Justice Pulled Together • Lex talionis (just recompense): every taunt contains a mirror—what the oppressor did returns upon his own head. • Moral order: God declares certain actions inherently wrong (greed, violence, exploitation, idolatry) and promises real-world consequences. • Universal scope: “All the earth” (v.20) must answer to the same righteous standard (Acts 17:31). • Certainty: These taunts are not wish-fulfillment; they are prophetic verdicts guaranteed by the LORD’s unfailing word (Isaiah 55:11). Personal Takeaways • Injustice is never ignored by God; His timing may differ from ours, but His verdict is sure (2 Peter 3:9). • The taunts warn believers against adopting worldly methods—greed, manipulation, idolatrous trust. • They also comfort the faithful: oppression has an expiration date, and God Himself will balance the scales (Romans 12:19). |
    |