The
Book of Habakkuk
The Book of Habakkuk (meaning embrace), was written around
625 B.C. according to traditional dating, but in the chronology given in
Appendix 50 (King James Companion Bible), it was written about 515 B.C., or 110
years later. His prophecy takes form of a conversation with Yahveh; and Yahveh
answers his cry by revealing the fact that a time will come when the evil will
be visited upon Judah by the Chaldean successors of Assyria (Habakkuk 1:6), and
by the dispersion of Judah (Habakkuk 1:5-11). The prayer in chapter 3 is very
important as being a summary of Yahveh's dealings with His people from the
passage of the Red Sea to the prophet's own time. Because the final chapter of
his book is a song, it is sometimes assumed that he was a member of the tribe of
Levi, which served as musicians in Solomon's Temple.
Habakkuk does appear in "Bel and the Dragon," which is part of
the Additions of Daniel found in the Biblical apocrypha. Verses 33-39 state that
Habakkuk is in Judea and after making some stew, he's told by an angel to take
the stew to Daniel, who is in Babylon in the lion's den. After proclaiming he is
unaware of both the den and Babylon, Habakkuk is transported to the den with
Daniel via the angel. Habukkuk gives Daniel the food to sustain him, and is
immediately taken back to "his own place." Habakkuk is also mentioned in "Lives
of the Prophets," which also notes his time in Babylon.
Habakkuk 1
Hab 1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. A message from the Lord and "the burden which he saw, Habakkuk the prophet."
Hab 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! How long Lord, must I cry for help? But you do not listen! "Violence is everywhere and I cry, but you do not come to save." (Psalm 18:41, Job 19:7, Jeremiah 20:8), showing that the cry was not personal, but made in the name of all who suffered from evil times.
Hab 1:3 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. Why must I see these evil things and watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. Surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. (Sound familiar)? "The same is going down today, just look around you."
Hab 1:4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The "wicked" far outnumber the righteous and justice has become perverted. (Psalm 119:129, Mark 7:9, Ezekiel 9:9). This word "wicked" used here equals "a lawless one" looking forward from the Chaldeans to the future Antichrist.
Hab 1:5 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. Look around the nations says the Lord; Look and be amazed! I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it. (Isaiah 29:14, Acts 13:41), It's coming to this world today, so get ready. "Do you know a truth from the Lord that no one would believe if you told them?"
Hab 1:6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. I will raise up the Chaldeans (Babylonians), a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands. (Deuteronomy 28:49-52).
Hab 1:7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. They are notorious for their cruelty and do what ever they want.
Hab 1:8 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. Their horses are swifter than cheetahs and more fierce than wolves at dusk. Their charioteers charge from far away. Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey. (Deuteronomy 28:49-50).
Hab 1:9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. On they come for violence. Their faces look towards the east sweeping their captives ahead of them. (This is not for conquest, but for destruction).
Hab 1:10 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. They scoff at kings and princes. (Just a laughing stock to them). This "heap dust" means that they pile up the dirt to build ramps against their walls to capture them.
Hab 1:11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god. Sweep past like the wind, but they think they are strong because of their "gods."
Hab 1:12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Questioning God about His plan to let the enemy wipe them out. Habakkuk making the assumption that God has sent the Babylonians to correct the people for their sins.
Hab 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? Knowing that God cannot stand the sight of evil. Habakkuk sounds like he is coping a plea with God about the wicked. Asking God how He can be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they are. (Again this word "wicked" is "rasha" Strong's H7563 a morally wrong wicked man or "lawless one," looking forward to the antichrist). Look at what is going on today. We have "wicked terrorists" that hate Israel and the United States because of their beliefs and ways of life. (Maybe God is trying to give us a wake up call).
Hab 1:14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? Are we only like fish or sea creatures that have no leader? (Proverbs 6:7).
Hab 1:15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. Must we be strung on the hooks and caught in the nets while they rejoice? (Amos 4:2, Isaiah 19:8), a picture of a nation being caught in the hooks and nets of Babylon.
Hab 1:16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. They worship the nets as their gods who made them rich. (Deuteronomy 8:17).
Hab 1:17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations? Another plea to God. Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they forever succeed in their heartless conquests? (Isaiah 14:16-17), again looking forward to the antichrist in his heartless conquest of the end times. (However, he won't succeed). We win and get the victory.
Habakkuk 2
Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my
watch, and set me upon the
tower, and will watch to see
what he will say unto me,
and what I shall answer when
I am reproved.
Habakkuk would climb the
watch tower and stand guard
waiting on answers from the
Lord. (At times we also need
to watch and be patient for
answers from the Lord,
especially in the end
times). What are we watching
for? (Mark 13:33-37), we are
watching for the Master of
the house to return. Our
Master is Jesus Christ.
Hab 2:2 And the LORD
answered me, and said, Write
the vision, and make it
plain upon tables, that he
may run that readeth it.
The Lord answered Habakkuk.
He told him to write His
answer plainly on tablets so
that others would get the
correct message. (A duel
message here). Run that
readeth it = to run as a
messenger. (Jeremiah 51:31,
Zechariah 2:4) or, to flee
for refuge. (Psalm 18:10,
Haggai 1:9).
Hab 2:3 For the vision
is yet for an appointed
time, but at the end it
shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarry, wait for
it; because it will surely
come, it will not tarry.
This vision is for future
time. It describes the end,
and it will be fulfilled. Be
patient and wait, it will
take place and won't be
delayed. (These warnings
about Babylon will be coming
to pass and will happen).
"So it will be in the end
time with the coming of the
Lord." (James 5:7-8, Luke
18:7-8).
Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul
which is lifted up is
not upright in him: but the
just shall live by his
faith.
Look at the proud who just
trust in themselves living
their crooked lives. But,
the righteous will live by
their faith in God.
(Emphasizing the twofold
answer to the prophet's
prayer). "The fate of the
wicked in the coming
judgment, and the
preservation and eternal lot
of the righteous." Lets take
the word his: i.e. the
Chaldean's of chapter 1; or
the lawless one described in
chapter 1 and in the verses
which follow. Who is the
lawless one of the end
times? (Satan). Now lets
take the words live by
faith: i.e. live forever in
resurrection life. (Romans
1:17, Galatians 3:11,
Hebrews
11:6-7),
It is
impossible to please God
without faith.
Hab 2:5 Yea also, because
he transgresseth by wine,
he is a proud man,
neither keepeth at home, who
enlargeth his desire as
hell, and is as
death, and cannot be
satisfied, but gathereth
unto him all nations, and
heapeth unto him all people:
Lets brake this down a
little. Transgression by
wine: You and I know that to
much to drink just makes
people act like a fool.
(Proverbs 20:1). A proud
man: Satan's downfall was
pride. God resists the
proud. (Psalm 138:6, James
4:6). Neither keep at
home: Big mouths that can't
mind their own business. (I
Thessalonians 4:11). Enlarge
his desire as hell, and is
as death, cannot be
satisfied: Just as in death,
they are never satisfied.
(Proverbs 27:20,
Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Gather unto him all
nations, and heap unto
him all people: In their
greed they have gathered up
many nations and swallowed
many peoples. (Isaiah
14:16-17). One of Satan's
roles in the end times as he
deceives many nations and
people.
Hab 2:6 Shall not all
these take up a parable
against him, and a taunting
proverb against him, and
say, Woe to him that
increaseth that which is
not his! how long? and to
him that ladeth himself with
thick clay!
Soon the captives will taunt
them. Mocking them saying:
What sorrow awaits you
thieves. You will get what
you deserve. You have become
rich by extortion, but not
for long. (James 5:1-4),
Enjoy your riches now. You
will pay for all your scams
and conning people out of
money. Using others to
benefit yourself. The value
of your assets is dropping
fast and will stand evidence
against you come judgment
day.
Hab 2:7 Shall they not
rise up suddenly that shall
bite thee, and awake that
shall vex thee, and thou
shalt be for booties unto
them?
Your debtors will take
action and turn on you while
you stand trembling. (I
Thessalonians 5:3), Those
who are saying everything is
quite well and peaceful
along with the misled and
ignorant, will not escape.
Destruction will fall upon
them suddenly.
Hab 2:8 Because thou hast
spoiled many nations, all
the remnant of the people
shall spoil thee; because of
men's blood, and for
the violence of the land, of
the city, and of all that
dwell therein.
Because you have plundered
many nations; now all the
survivors will plunder you.
You committed murder
throughout the land and
filled the towns with
violence. (Psalm 137:8,
Zechariah 14:12, Revelation
6:10).
Hab 2:9 Woe to him that
coveteth an evil
covetousness to his house,
that he may set his nest on
high, that he may be
delivered from the power of
evil!
Woe to them that build big
houses with money gained
dishonestly. You think your
wealth will buy you security
setting your houses high
beyond the reach of danger.
(Jeremiah 49:16).
Hab 2:10 Thou hast
consulted shame to thy house
by cutting off many people,
and hast sinned against
thy soul.
By the murders you committed
you have shamed your name
and sinned against your own
soul. (Numbers 16:38,
Proverbs 8:36).
Hab 2:11 For the stone
shall cry out of the wall,
and the beam out of the
timber shall answer it.
The stones in the walls cry
out themselves and the beams
echo the complaint. "This
should bring our attention
to what Christ said in (Luke
19:40-44), just before He
rebuked the money
changers."
Hab 2:12 Woe to him that
buildeth a town with blood,
and stablisheth a city by
iniquity!
Those who build city's
through murder and corrupt
money. (Ezekiel 24:9, Micah
3:10, Nahum 3:1), Many of
the cities in our own
country were built this way
and God does not like it.
Hab 2:13 Behold, is it
not of the LORD of hosts
that the people shall labour
in the very fire, and the
people shall weary
themselves for very vanity?
The wealth of these corrupt
nations will turn to ashes.
(Isaiah 50:11, Isaiah 55:2,
Jeremiah 51:58). So, you
don't think it is happening
to this nation. (How far do
you stretch a dollar these
days). "It's not over yet,
their is more bad times
ahead for those who are so
obsessed with their wealth
and material things."
Hab 2:14 For the earth
shall be filled with the
knowledge of the glory of
the LORD, as the waters
cover the sea.
The whole world will be
filled with awareness and
knowledge of the glory of
the Lord. "Prophecy of the
Millennial Kingdom when
Christ returns." (Numbers
14:21, Psalm 72:19, Isaiah
6:3, Isaiah 11:9, Revelation
11:15, Revelation 15:4).
Hab 2:15 Woe unto him
that giveth his neighbour
drink, that puttest thy
bottle to him, and
makest him drunken
also, that thou mayest look
on their nakedness!
Pouring out thy fury or
venom. (Jeremiah 25:15,
Jeremiah 51:7, Revelation
17:2, Revelation 17:6,
Revelation 18:3).
Hab 2:16 Thou art filled
with shame for glory: drink
thou also, and let thy
foreskin be uncovered: the
cup of the LORD'S right hand
shall be turned unto thee,
and shameful spewing
shall be on thy glory.
Soon
it will be your turn to be
disgraced. Drink from the
cup of the Lord's judgment
and all your glory will be
turned to shame. (Isaiah
47:3, Hosea 4:7, Jeremiah
25:27-29), They get what
they got coming.
Hab 2:17 For the violence
of Lebanon shall cover thee,
and the spoil of beasts,
which made them afraid,
because of men's blood, and
for the violence of the
land, of the city, and of
all that dwell therein.
You cut the forests of
Lebanon and now you will be
cut down. You destroy the
wild animals, so now their
terror will be yours. You
committed murder throughout
the countryside and fill
your towns with violence.
"Sound familiar?" It's going
down all around us.
Hab 2:18 What profiteth
the graven image that the
maker thereof hath graven
it; the molten image, and a
teacher of lies, that the
maker of his work trusteth
therein, to make dumb idols?
Your graven images and
statues will do you no good.
You trust in your own
creations, false gods that
cannot even talk. (Isaiah
42:17, Isaiah 44:9-10,
Isaiah 45:16, Isaiah 45:20).
"As for the false prophets
who mislead the people, it
won't be good." (Jeremiah
14:14-16).
Hab 2:19 Woe unto him
that saith to the wood,
Awake; to the dumb stone,
Arise, it shall teach!
Behold, it is laid
over with gold and silver,
and there is no
breath at all in the midst
of it.
Only sorrow awaits those who
trust or pray to these
speechless worthless stone
images that are lifeless
inside. (Psalm 97:7, Isaiah
44:17, Jeremiah 51:47, Psalm
135:17, Acts 17:29), If this
is true, we should not think
of God as an image or idol
made from men. (God is
real)!
Hab 2:20 But the LORD
is in his holy temple:
let all the earth keep
silence before him.
The Lord in
His Holy Temple. "Let the
whole earth be silent before
Him." (Zephaniah 1:7,
Zechariah 2:13),
The Lord will
spring into action from His
Holy Dwelling. (Psalms 11:4,
68:5, Jeremiah 25:30).
Habakkuk 3
Hab 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
This word "Shigionoth" in Hebrew Strong's Concordance H7692 is "Shiggayon
Shiggayonah" means "rambling poem" or "a crying aloud." It should read: This
prayer was cried out and sung by the prophet Habakkuk. (Psalm 7:1).
Hab 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD,
revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known;
in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk was saying that he was
filled with awe by God's amazing works and was pleading for help as years ago.
He would sing and cry out even in God's wrath for mercy.
Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His
glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
God moving across the deserts from Teman, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.
(Deuteronomy 33:2). (Embraces the whole district south of Judah, including
Sinai). Could Teman and Paran also be related to Edom? (Isaiah 63:1-4), Most
commentaries believe that here Edom as a type, is being used to represent all
the nations of the world that hate God's people. (This is when Jesus returns in
the second advent). When the whole earth is full of His glory. (Isaiah 6:3).
Hab 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming
out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Horns = power. i.e. power from His
hands, but hiding (or concealing) of His full power.
Hab 3:5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his
feet. Pestilence went with Him as He went forth to conquer
for His people. Burning coals: or lightning at His feet. (Psalm 18:8, 78:48).
Hab 3:6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the
nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did
bow: his ways are everlasting.
The earth shakes when He stops, and when He looks the nations tremble. He
shatters the mountains and levels the hills. He is the everlasting God.
Hab 3:7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of
the land of Midian did tremble. The people of Cushan (a
region of Arabia, or Ethiopia), are in distress, and the nation of Midian
trembles.
Hab 3:8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger
against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride
upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
Was it your anger Lord when you parted the sea? (Exodus 14:21-22), God wasn't
displeased with them, but rather sending His chariots of salvation to help them.
"It is coming again soon in the end times." (Revelation 19:14), Christ's second
advent and His return. "His army is coming." The horses represent the vehicles the
army of Christ will arrive upon.
Hab 3:9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the
tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
You quieted your bow and arrows according to the promises sworn to the fathers
of the tribes (of Israel), when still in the loins of the patriarchs. You divided
the earth with flowing rivers. (Psalm 78:15-16, Psalm 105:41).
Hab 3:10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of
the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands
on high. The mountains even trembled as the waters raged
forward at His presence. The waters cried out themselves, lifting up it's hands
in amazement and submission. (Not in corruption).
Hab 3:11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the
light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering
spear. The sun and the moon stood still. (Reference to
Joshua 10:12-13). Your arrows flew like light and your glittering spear flashed.
Hab 3:12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh
the heathen in anger. Marched across the land in anger and
trampled the nations (i.e. nations of Canaan) in your fury. (Acts 13:19), it
will happen again to Babylon in the end times. (Jeremiah 51:33).
Hab 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for
salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the
wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
You rescued Your chosen people, to save the anointed ones. (Psalm 105:15). You
crushed the heads of the wicked (the lawless one), and stripped their bones from
head to toe. "Looking forward to the final destruction of Israel's enemy in the
person of the antichrist." (Psalm 110:6).
Hab 3:14 Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages:
they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to
devour the poor secretly. With their own weapons, You
destroyed the chief of those who rushed out like a whirlwind, thinking Israel
would be easy prey. (Daniel 11:40), "Referring to the one world order of the end
time."
Hab 3:15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through
the heap of great waters. Trampled the sea with Your
horses, as the mighty waters piled high. (Psalm 77:19).
Hab 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice:
rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in
the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with
his troops. Habakkuk is saying that he trembled inside
when he heard this. His legs became weak and he shook in terror. "I will wait
quietly (just as we should), for the coming day when disaster will strike the
people who invade us." (Habakkuk has been reminded of the terrible Babylonian
invasion that is coming, then he has a vision of God that makes him faint).
Hab 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit
be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall
yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be
no herd in the stalls: Even though the fig trees have no
blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; the olive crops fail and the
fields lie empty; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns
are empty. (a double meaning here). One meaning could be referring to what would
happen when the Babylonian invasion comes through the land and destroys it. The
other meaning could be referring to us now when we just don't see any fruit.
There is going to be times when it seems that the enemy (Satan), is stealing all
our fruit.
Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my
salvation. No matter what, "I will rejoice in the Lord."
(I Peter 4:12-13). The God of my salvation! (Psalm 18:46, Psalm 24:5, Psalm
25:5, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Micah 7:7, Luke 2:30).
Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like
hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the
chief singer on my stringed instruments.
The Lord is my
strength. (Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 12:2, Philippians 4:13). He will make me as sure
footed as a deer to walk upon high places. (II Samuel 22:34, Psalm 18:33, Isaiah
58:14). This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments. (a poem set to
music).
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