August 20, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Habakkuk 1 - Habakkuk was a prophet who loved the people of Judah, but was in anguish over their sin.  He complained to the Lord about the wickedness of the nation.  His cry for justice is answered in a way that he was not expecting:  God would use the "Chaldeans" to bring judgment on Judah!  Habakkuk was jealous for God's glory, so it troubled him greatly to see God use such a violent people, the Babylonians, as a means of rebuking the Jews.

Habakkuk 2 - Habakkuk prayed and waited to see how God would respond.  God said something in verse 4 that is quoted in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews:  "The just shall live by faith."  The meaning is that it is by faith that a person can be justified by God, or a just person will live by faith.  People need to put their faith in a Just God in order for God to justify them.  Notice the five "woes" in this chapter.

Habakkuk 3 - Because Habakkuk would use a stringed instrument, verse 1 "Shigionoth." and verse 19, "With my stringed instruments," some believe he was a member of the Levites and a musician as well.  In this chapter you get a glorious vision of God in this chapter.  Habakkuk is satisfied with God's wisdom and knows that God will render judgment against wicked nations, verse 12.  He knows that God is the "God of my salvation" verse 18.