Habakkuk 1:1

Habakkuk 1:1 says, The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.  Matthew Henry places the time of Habakkuk's prophesies during the reign of Manasseh, one of the most evil of Israel's kings.  Though they were God's people by His calling them into a covenant relationship, they were not His in action, especially in their leadership.  This was a common situation in the Old Testament world, and we as followers of Christ must insure that it doesn't happen in our lives.  Habakkuk said that what he saw was a burden to him.  When we see evil and injustice occurring in the world today, it should be a burden to us if we are following God's will.  Verse two adds, O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!  Habakkuk felt that God was not listening when he cried out to Him.  This too is a common feeling of God's prophets.  When nothing happens immediately, they question whether God is listening or not.  We today may have prayed about something and feel that God is not listening, but we can be certain that when we as His followers speak to Him, He always hears and answers.  The answer may not come immediately, and if it is not what we want it to be we may not acknowledge it, but God's answer will come.  Verse three continues, Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.  Habakkuk wanted to know why all he saw was iniquity.   This sounds a lot like what goes on in much of the world today.  We don't even have to look to the rest of the world, because it is happening even here, where we call ourselves a Christian nation.  Verse four states, Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.  Habakkuk said that there was no fair judgment and that the wicked had power over the righteous.  Even though this may have been true, God still had power over everyone and everything.  Just because we may see mostly evil when we look at the world today, we need to remember that God has promised His people everlasting security.  Verse five adds, Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.  In this verse, God begins His answer to Habakkuk.  God tells the heathen, those who are not a part of His kingdom, to behold the work that He was about to do against Judah, or His people.  When we who call ourselves God's people allow evil and injustice to become the norm of our lives, then we should not be surprised when God allows us to suffer defeat.  Verse six continues, For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs.  God told Judah who was going to defeat them.  Again, we can debate whether God empowered the Chaldeans or simply removed His protective hand from His people.  I believe He removed His protection knowing what would happen without it.  When God removes His protection from someone due to their disobedience, then they are powerless against the forces of the world.  Verse seven says, They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.  Then verse eight adds, Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.  Habakkuk speaking God's word told the people how powerful and terrible the Chaldeans were.  When we are outside God's will and protection, then we face some powerful and terrible enemies with only our own strength to rely on.  Verse nine continues, They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.  Verse ten states, And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.  Verse eleven adds, Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.  Without God's protection, the people of Israel were helpless, and so are we as followers of Christ today.  In their pride and victory, the Chaldeans would even give credit to their god.