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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Habakkuk – The Burden Prophet (1 of 4)
Focus Text: Habakkuk 1.1-4
“The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.” (Habakkuk 1.1-4).
Perhaps Habakkuk’s complaint was the complaint of the people and perhaps it was his personal complaint, but whichever, it certainly is common to those who attempt to live righteously. Basically, it asks the question, “Why does God not judge the wicked who seem to be prospering all about those of us who are trying to do right?” His burden is a burden that has been in the heart and on the lips of the righteous in every generation. It is the sentiment behind a portion of the song “Farther Along” which raises the point that the wicked seem to prosper though they live in rebellion to God year after year. This same sentiment was part of The Preacher’s compliant when he said, “I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.” (Ecclesiastes 7.15).
The error that we make in pursuing the answer to this question is a basic error of humanity; it is to conclude that life is not fair, God is not fair, and therefore, why should I deal fairly? Why not “succeed” in life like others do and get ahead by trampling on the rights of others? The basic error involved here is in one’s view of life. This perspective treats life as if it only consists of our brief journey here upon the earth while clothed in mortal flesh. This view sees life as ceasing at the grave; it is a materialistic view of life and results in a materialistic view of living. The end result of this line of thinking results in the view reflected in the bumper sticker which says, “He who dies with the most toys wins!”
Habakkuk was none the less a prophet of God even though his personal thoughts sometimes were less than perfect. Additionally, we need to add the observation that his words were no less inspired because of his own periodic misgivings. Moreover, this can be said for all the prophets of the Bible; not a one of them was perfect save One and we have not a word that he ever wrote. The entire Bible is the product of fallible man delivered from error through the power of the Holy Spirit. Habakkuk, then, should not be viewed any differently than any other of the writing prophets of the Holy Scriptures save the fact that he voiced his complains as an integral part of his book.
Two lessons are to be derived from today’s message. First, God will make good His promises although He always works to His own timetable and not to ours. Secondly, we are not doomed because we sometimes feel deserted and forsaken of God; Habakkuk penned those very sentiments and yet was one of His faithful prophets. Take heart! Right will Triumph!
Questions:
1. Paraphrase Habakkuk’s complaint against God in Habakkuk 1.1-4.
2. How does Habakkuk’s complaint compare with Solomon’s in Ecclesiastes 7.15?
3. Name other prophets who sinned or became discouraged due to wickedness.
4. What comfort is there in knowing that even the inspired prophets of the Bible sometimes thought things that were less than perfect or that reflected extreme discouragement?
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