Habakkuk was a prophet who ministered to the people of Israel during the closing years of seventh century B.C. and beginning years of sixth century B.C. He had seen in his own eyes the depth of injustice, corruption, lawlessness, violence, strife and conflict, which were so widespread among the people of Israel. In fact prophets Amos and Micah were so vocal to condemn these sins of the people. But Habakkuk very politely asks God, “why are you tolerating wrong?
God answers Habakkuk and tells him, “Habakkuk, don’t be impatient. Don’t think that I am tolerating wrong and not concerned about the oppressed. See, I am already preparing the Babylonians to use them as my instrument to punish the people of Israel.” God’s such an answer puts Habakkuk in a greater dilemma. “How can you do this God?” he says, “are you going to punish the wicked people of Israel by a more wicked nation of Babylon? What kind of justice is this? Unbelievable! Punish the chosen people of God by the gentiles, idol worshippers who do not believe in God? A God who is so Holy, whose eyes are too pure to look on evil, who cannot tolerate wrong, can He do this?
But that was what God had decided to do. And he finally did it when the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem, plundered the city and the temple and took many people as captives in 597 B.C. Again after ten years in 587 B.C. when they came back to seize Jerusalem it was the end of the nation. The people of Israel, the chosen people of God, lost their city, lost their temple, lost their dear ones, lost their properties and lost their identity.
We do not know whether Habakkuk saw all these things happening. But, we know that he received comfort and his faith was strengthened when God answered his second question. God told Habakkuk that Babylon too would not go unpunished. He describes their five kinds of wickedness and tells that those will be the reasons for its fall. First, they pile up stolen goods, make wealth by extortion, plunder many nations, shed human blood and destroy cities and lands. Secondly, they build houses and mansion by unjust gains, they ruin many people and destroy their houses to build their own. Thirdly, they build their cities by using the wealth and manpower of other nations whom they destroy. Fourthly, they kill the people very cruelly and mock at their helplessness. Fifthly, they reject the living God and worship lifeless powerless idols and attribute their victories to those so-called gods. Because of all these, God will punish the Babylonians also. But those who trust in the Lord and remain faithful they will live.
“The righteous will live by faith” (2:4) is a striking statement, which immediately clicks to the heart and mind of Habakkuk and he feels satisfied that all his doubts are cleared and his questions answered. In fact, St Paul picks up this great theme in his letters (Rom. 1:17; Gal.3: 11) and develops his theology of “Salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.” (Eph.2:8).
The society around us is not very different from the one, which existed during the time of Habakkuk except that ours has become a more complex, developed and permissive society. Injustice, corruption, violence, oppression, exploitation, murder, strife, conflict, hatred, adultery, idolatry are still very much prevalent in our societies. The rich and the powerful, the underworld dons and the crime world dadas, the law makers, law keepers and law breakers, the religious extremists and the militants, they all contribute to this wretched condition of our society and country. Moral values are diminishing and ethical standards falling down. In the name of development, tolerance and inclusive attitude we compromise with the values and standards set by God in the Bible. Criminals and corrupt persons rise to power. The rich and the influential monopolize our economy. Justice is bought and sold.
Shall we wait silently for God to raise another Babylon to punish our nation? Are we just spectators and have nothing to do to save our nation? Do we feel that we have a responsibility? Habakkuk did not ask one question to God. He did not say, “God, do you want me to do something about it so that your wrath and punishment do not befall on my people?” Perhaps Jeremiah’s concern for his people was more genuine. That is why he said, “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people” (Jer.9: 1). Friends, as servants of God, we have a responsibility to do something to avoid God’s wrath and punishment on us and on our people. What shall we do then? I have four suggestions.
First, we need to be Changing Agents. Through our words, actions and lifestyle, we must influence people so that they change their heart and mind and behavior and character, and come closer to God. Change of heart leads to change of mind, change of mind leads to change of behavior, change of behavior leads to change of character and change of character leads to closeness of God. If we begin changing the hearts of people, we are in the process of bringing them closer to God. And God does not punish someone who comes closer to Him.
Secondly, we need to be prophets, not in the sense of foretelling, but in the sense of forth telling. To warn, caution people that they must leave their evil ways and turn to God. There are some people who keep on warning people, reminding them of the consequences of wickedness and evil doings. They do this in their writings, in their speeches and in other forms of communication. Perhaps we can be one among them. God has given us different spiritual gifts. Each of the spiritual gifts is meant for the edification of the Church. But they are also mediums through which we communicate to the broken world, the love of God for mankind and the consequence of sin. In our ministries of preaching, teaching, admonishing, warning and correcting we must, not only proclaim God’s love, but also god’s wrath.
Thirdly, we need to be Intercessors. When God revealed His will to Abraham saying that He is going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy those cities for the sake of a few righteous people who might be there. He kept on bargaining in his numbers and finally made God say yes that if there will be five righteous men in those cities He will not destroy them. Unfortunately, not even five righteous men were found there and the cities had to be destroyed. If God has spared our nation, it is only because there are few righteous people who have been interceding before God for our nation. They are not seen on the front pages of the newspapers and TV screens, they do not hold prominent positions and powers. But they are in the background always on their knees to intercede for the people of our country. We need to be one among them.
Fourthly, we need to be true followers of Christ. Our lives speak louder than our mouths. Thousands of eyes are watching us. As servants of God, how do we live, talk, behave and deal with others? They want to see the personification of Jesus in us. Of course we are human beings with many limitations. We cannot be completely like Jesus. But we must show evidence that we are moving on in the ways of Jesus. Our progress may not be very significant. But we must move on towards perfection. Day by day, step by step. This movement will greatly influence people around us. They must see in us that we are different than others; we have something that others do not have. Our lives must constrain them to look at their own lives.
May God help us to be Changing Agents, Prophets, Interceders and Followers of Christ. Amen.
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