That's a lot of trouble
In this series, we’re walking with a prophet that is little-known to most of us modern-day Christians. Habakkuk lived in the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem. However, where the writings of most other Old Testament prophets were about God’s message to the people, what we find unique about the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet records his conversation with God on behalf of the people.
Initially, we heard Habakkuk confront God about the selfish, even down-right evil, actions his fellow countrymen were committing. He was struggling to understand why God hadn’t stepped in to address the troubles in Judah. Then, we read God’s response – He is planning on punishing/correcting Judah by allowing the Chaldeans (aka the Babylonians) to invade Judah. Next, we looked at how Habakkuk dealt with his frustration and shock over God’s plan. And last time, we learned how those who were living according to God’s design would survive the Chaldean invasion.
But now…God answers Habakkuk’s concerns that a sinful nation will be used to punish God’s derelict people. Habakkuk was upset that a wicked people would prevail over God’s chosen people. I mean…they might be misbehaving, but they’re still God’s people…and that has to count for something, right? Habakkuk was upset that their enemy would profit at Judah’s expense.
God replies with five “Woe” Oracles against the Chaldeans. A Woe Oracle is a distinctive type of prophetic speech designed to express deeply held emotions of anger, grief, and fear. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea all pronounce “Woes” on various groups for the anti-God choices they make. Each “Woe” God announces in the book of Habakkuk is an indictment of Chaldean society and includes (often graphically) how their evil choices will come back to destroy them. Here are the five Woes which God declares. Notice how each “Woe” is them moving further and further from God’s design for humanity:
Habakkuk 2:6, 9, 12, 15, 18-19
Woe to him who amasses what is not his…and loads himself with goods taken in pledge [i.e. – loans or debt].
Woe to him who dishonestly makes wealth for his house, to place his nest on high
Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and founds a town with injustice!
Woe to him who gives his neighbors drink, pouring out your wrath and even making them drunk, in order to look at their nakedness!
What use is a carved idol after its craftsman carves it?
It is only a cast image, a teacher of lies.
For the one who crafts its shape trusts in it and makes worthless idols that cannot speak.
Woe to him who says to wood: Wake up! or to stone: Come alive!
Can it teach?
Look! It may be plated with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.
Read the whole section of Habakkuk 2:6-19 to see how each of these “Woes” will bring punishment back on the Chaldeans. For us, however, we shouldn’t just gloss over these accusations. Resist the urge to scoff at the Chaldeans’ reliance on a carved idol which they expected to give them guidance and fulfillment.
Because, honestly…we do the same thing with our smart phones.
Looking at their increasingly self-centered actions, we can see the slippery slope that is open to everyone – both individually and as a society.
These actions would be the Chaldeans’ undoing. It’s best we heed their negative example before we experience the same consequences.
Keep Pressing,
Ken