Monday 4 August 2025
Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith. (v. 4)
Background
The short prophetic book of Habakkuk, a person whose identity is not known, was probably addressed to God’s people a little while before the Babylonians captured Jerusalem and exiled all the ruling class. At that time, as well as the threat from the external enemy, there was a good deal of internal unrest due to the abuse of the righteous by those with greater power. Verses 12-17 is a lament over this whole state of affairs.
The Jewish prophets whose books we read in the Old Testament interpreted the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon as God’s way of punishing his people’s unfaithfulness to him. That is what the second half of verse 12 affirms; it is not quite so clear in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, which we use, as in many other versions.
In verses 14-17 Babylon’s treatment of enemies is likened to a fisherman’s attitude to fish and to the way he worships the net as the tool that makes him rich.
Unlike earlier prophets, Habakkuk is prepared to ask God questions: see verse 13 and compare 1:2-3. Having asked the questions Habakkuk sees himself as a watchman patiently looking out for God’s answer (v. 1). The answer when it comes is to be written large and visible to all, even to someone hastily running past. In part it is about being willing to wait for God’s justice (v. 3) which in God’s timing “will not delay” even if to us “it seems to tarry”. But the waiting is not a matter of standing back but rather of getting stuck in to living faithfully (v. 4).
The apostle Paul saw in those words with which our passage ends, “the righteous live by their faith”, the very heart of the Christian gospel (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11). Faith in God is what makes it possible to live in a world where many questions remain as yet lacking satisfactory answers.
To Ponder:
- “Are you not from of old, O Lord my God, my Holy One? You shall not die” (v. 12a) is the prophet’s statement of faith in the face of crisis. When you face challenging circumstances what kind of statement would you choose to express your faith in God?
- What questions would you want to put to God? Have you tried? What kind of answers does God seem to give?
- What is your own answer to the question, "Why does God not immediately punish those who act wickedly towards others"?
Prayer
Lord God, may I know that you welcome my difficult questions, and those of people trapped by the oppression or abuse of others. Help us to believe that at your right time all will be made clear and put right. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Mosedale
Stephen is a retired Methodist minister living near Exeter. He served in West Africa and Scotland and was a New Testament tutor at Cliff College.