Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

12 O Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O Lord, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish.

vs 12 What is Habakkuk acknowledging in this verse? By what terms does Habakkuk address God in this verse? What is the significance of each? If you were to address God with a new descriptive term, what would you call him?

Habakkuk seems to be attempting to make a statement of faith concerning God. Notice he addresses God as Lord, from everlasting, my God, my holy one, and Rock. Each one of these terms holds a significance. Lord – indicates the covenant relationship Yahweh had with Israel, from everlasting – indicates God’s eternity and power, God – indicates the almighty Creator, holy one – indicates God’s righteousness, and rock – indicates the strength and power of God. To all these attributes Habakkuk is appealing, and perhaps also reminding himself of God’s nature.

13Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

vs 13 What is Habakkuk’s new complaint? On what does he base this complaint? How do the wicked swallow up the righteous today?

Habakkuk did not like what he heard. He thought he had a complaint before, but now this first answer goes too far. As The Believer’s Bible Commentary tells us, "When Habakkuk heard this, he was troubled, and his agitation brought forth the second dialogue. How could God punish Judah by a nation that was worse than they were? ... And the Babylonians were undoubtedly wicked! However, Judah’s wickedness was greater, since the Jews were sinning against much greater light."

Habakkuk bases his complaint on the righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of Babylonia – how can God use such a treacherous, wicked nation. Even today we see the righteous being swallowed up by the wicked. A Church of Christ minister and his wife were both killed in the past few weeks by the serial killer who has been hopping freight trains between Texas and Illinois. We may feel like Habakkuk and ask, Why God? Some things we may not understand until we get to heaven. But Habakkuk knew to take his questions to God. If we have questions, we can take them to God.

14 You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler.

vs 14 How would you interpret this fish simile? Why does Habakkuk use this figurative speech? Who do you think are the fish? What does this tell you about his opinion of the rulers? Do you think our rulers exhibit a lack of leadership?

Fish just swim innocently in the sea until some fishing boat comes along and swoops them up. This is the way people are. They easily get caught up in nets of evil. Since they are more followers than leaders, they are easily blinded by a charismatic figure or influenced to do wrong by someone persuasive.

Habakkuk’s use of the fish metaphor indicates he did not think much of Hebrew rulers. The rulers had forsaken their responsibilities for convenience. They were more interested in being popular instead of standing up for what’s right. People will follow a principled leader, but too many of our leaders today are more interested in doing what’s safe instead of doing what’s right.

15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.

vs 15 Which wicked foe is Habakkuk referring to? Have you felt like a fish caught in a net before? How have you responded to that situation?

Habakkuk is probably referring to the Babylonians here. But we could apply this to our own lives as well. Sometimes we have been caught up in a net of sin. We have found ourselves in situations that we didn’t really want to be.. When that happens, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to break us out of the net of deception and wrong desires. No matter how you may feel ensnared, God will help you out of the situation you are in. You need to listen to his voice and follow his instruction and stay away from those evil nets.

16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food.

vs 16 Apply this verse to modern society. What is our net? How do we sacrifice to it? Why do we do it?

Habakkuk is talking about the nets of his enemy. There are many nets that threaten to ensnare us placed in our way by the enemy of our soul. Among our "nets" today would be pleasure, materialism, and selfishness. We sacrifice greatly to satisfy our own desires. For a moment of pleasure, people have sacrificed their family, their savings, and their health. What have you sacrificed for your nets? Notice that Habakkuk says that the fisherman lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. It seems that is a synopsis of what American would like – a life of luxury and the choicest food. Why are we this way. These things are not the important things of life. Following God’s plan for our life, walking in righteousness, and sharing our faith with others are what’s important. But too often we get our focus off of God and onto the pleasures of this world.

17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?

vs 17 Why did Habakkuk ask this question? What do you think he thought about the coming invasion? How do you feel when facing an unknown situation?

You can tell Habakkuk is not happy with God’s words. And he is not happy with the cruel Babylonians. He is really having a difficult time accepting this from God. The Babylonians had a reputation for being harsh. He is no doubt concerned about the consequences of this invasion – how many of his family and friends would be decimated or tortured. Sometimes when we are facing the unknown, we have more fear and worry than normal. Our ordinary faith is replaced by doubt and consternation. This may have been part of Habakkuk’s dilemma. But at least he knew where to go with his doubts and fears. Do we? I think sometimes we just live in dread and never take our concerns to God as Habakkuk did. Let us learn a lesson from this ancient prophet and be willing to bear our heart to God when we are facing the unknown.

2:1 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

vs 2:1 What change do you sense in Habakkuk’s attitude in this verse? How is Habakkuk waiting for God’s answer? What have you done when you were waiting for God’s answer? What do you think Habakkuk expected from God? How have you received answers from God?

Notice the real change in Habakkuk’s attitude. He has made his complaint and now he waits for God’s answer. He is looking to God and willing to hear what God has to say. He may have fears and doubts, but he knows that the God of the universe is greater than all those fears and doubts. Now Habakkuk is ready to listen to God’s voice. He is willing to hear and to see what God has to say.

MacDonald remarks, "Habakkuk retired to his watchtower to see how the Lord would answer him. He wanted to get alone in order to gain God’s perspective. This is a most important principle for believers today as well. Whether we call it our ‘quiet time,’ ‘devotions,’ or by some other term, daily communion with God is crucial for every Christian."

As we spend time alone with God, we will get answers to our complaints and our questions. We may not always like the answer we receive, but as we will see, God has everything in control. The important part is for us to be willing to listen to God’s answer and accept it, or at least be taught why we should be willing to accept it.

Footnotes:



	Habakkuk 1:12-2:1