Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god." Sermons
I. THAT GOD IS NOT INDIFFERENT WITH RESPECT TO PREVAILING UNGODLINESS. The seer had asked, "How long?" (ver. 2). He was impatient of delay. But whilst there is this lingering on the part of God, so that "judgment against an evil work is not executed speedily" (Ecclesiastes 8:11), this is owing to the Divine long suffering and patience, and does not arise from indifference and unconcern being cherished by the Most High in reference to iniquity. Wrong doing is ever before him, is closely observed by him. It is the source of displeasure to him who is perfect in purity, and the requital of it will assuredly be experienced by transgressors. Though it may tarry, it will surely come. "I will work a work," etc. (ver. 5). II. THAT GOD, IN THE ORDER OF HIS PROVIDENCE, IN EXECUTING HIS JUDGMENTS, OVERRULES THE ACTIONS OF EVIL MEN, AND CAUSES THESE TO FULFIL HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. The verses contain a wonderfully graphic account of the Chaldeans who were to be the instruments of the Divine chastisement of Judah (compare with them Isaiah 14:6, 16, 17), and whilst in reading them, so vivid is the portrayal, that we seem to see the Chaldean horsemen sweeping through the land like the simoom, causing death and desolation to follow in their track, we also have presented to us certain traits most clearly indicative of their gross wickedness. (1) Their proud ambition to possess the dwelling places that were not theirs (ver. 6); (2) their fierceness and cruelty (ver. 7); (3) their self-sufficiency (ver. 7); (4) their scorn and contemnt. (ver. 10) and their blasphemy (ver. 11); - all pass in review before us. And these were chosen to be the executors of the Divine judgments! "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans" (ver. 6). The meaning is that God, in his providence, would permit "that bitter and hasty nation" to be a scourge to his III. THAT GOD, IN OPERATING AGAINST EVIL AND ITS DOERS, SOMETIMES EMPLOYS UNEXPECTED AGENTS. "The Hebrew state was at this time in close alliance with the Chaldean state, an alliance so close and friendly that the Hebrew politicians had no fear of its rupture. Yet it was in this wholly unexpected form that the Divine judgment was to come upon them. The Chaldeans in whom they trusted, on whom they leaned, were to give the death blow to the dynasty of David." All the material and moral forces of the universe are under the Divine control, and in ways and by means little anticipated his retributions often overtake his adversaries. IV. THAT THIS DIVINE WORKING AGAINST EVIL AND ITS DOERS RECEIVES BUT TARDY RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM MAN. (Ver. 5.) The retributions have to light upon them ere they will believe. "They cry, Peace and safety: till sudden destruction comes upon them" (1 Thessalonians 5:3). So has it been in the past, and so, upon the authority of Christ, will it be in the future (Matthew 24:27-29). Still, amidst this unconcern and unbelief, the duty of the messenger of God is clear. He must "cry aloud." He must bid men "behold," "regard," and "wonder," and then, "whether they hear or forbear;" "he has delivered his soul." - S.D.H.
The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. : — We can see how appropriate is the word "burden" used by the prophets to describe their gift and duty. The obligation laid on them often involved strain and danger. And yet it was a glorious privilege to be commissioned by God, to act for Him, to be His mouthpiece to the people. Habakkuk's burden was the sight of the general evil and corruption prevalent in the Holy Land, among the chosen people. What burden can be heavier than this, to see evil prevail among God's people, and to be unable to remedy it? Two lessons —1. Every privilege entails suffering. 2. Do not lose heart.The burden is laid on you by the Lord who gave you your glorious privilege. Look at the vocation, not at the burden. (S. Baring-Gould.) I. A BURDEN OF ENLIGHTENMENT. He was — 1. A spectator of evil; looking upon the great and terrible disorders that devastated his country. 2. An inspired spectator of evil. "God showed him iniquity," etc. To see, in the light of heaven. the fearful ramifications of evil in society is an essential condition of Christian service. 3. A troubled spectator of evil. His heart strings vibrated with jarring discords at the touch of the workers of iniquity. II. A BURDEN OF PRAYER. With a vivid consciousness of God's almighty power the prophet called upon Him to interpose and save His people. But days rolled on and lengthened into months, and still evil abounded. Oh, the burden of prayers unheard! Oh, the burden of unanswered prayers l Oh, the burden of delay! The heart grows sick with hope deferred. III. A BURDEN OF DISCIPLINE. Designed — 1. As a test to see if they will continue to work and witness for God. 2. Still trust in the Lord, even in the presence of the great mystery of iniquity. The burden is — 3. For training, that God's servants may become strong in faith, giving glory to God. (Joseph Willcox) People Babylonians, HabakkukPlaces ChaldeaTopics Ascribe, Change, Changed, Goes, Guilty, Held, Impute, Imputing, Indeed, Limit, Mind, Offend, Over-stepping, Pass, Passed, Past, Power, Purpose, Spirit, Strength, Sweep, Sweeps, Transgress, Wind, YeaOutline 1. Unto Habakkuk, complaining of the iniquity of the land,5. is shown the fearful vengeance by the Chaldeans. 12. He complains that vengeance should be executed by them who are far worse. Dictionary of Bible Themes Habakkuk 1:5-11 1175 God, will of 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment Library Though These Eternal Moral Obligations are Indeed of Themselves Incumbent on all Rational Beings,even antecedent to the consideration of their being the positive will and command of God, yet that which most strongly confirms, and in practice most effectually and indispensably enforces them upon us, is this; that both from the perfections of God, and the nature of things, and from several other collateral considerations, it appears, that as God is himself necessarily just and good in the exercise of his infinite power in the government of the whole world, so he cannot but likewise positively … Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God The End of the War The Holiness of God "But we are all as an Unclean Thing, and all Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags," Habakkuk Links Habakkuk 1:11 NIVHabakkuk 1:11 NLT Habakkuk 1:11 ESV Habakkuk 1:11 NASB Habakkuk 1:11 KJV Habakkuk 1:11 Bible Apps Habakkuk 1:11 Parallel Habakkuk 1:11 Biblia Paralela Habakkuk 1:11 Chinese Bible Habakkuk 1:11 French Bible Habakkuk 1:11 German Bible Habakkuk 1:11 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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