The situation that Habakkuk faced was the imminent invasion of the southern kingdom of Judah by the Chaldeans (another name for the Babylonians). This invasion eventually happened at the end of the sixth century BC, and Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. The Lord revealed to Habakkuk beforehand that the Chaldeans were to punish Judah for her sin.
Unlike Joel, Zephaniah, and Amos, Habakkuk does not even mention the possibility that destruction could be averted. He does not call for national repentance. It is too late. Instead, he predicts the destruction of Judah, and beyond that, the doom of the Chaldeans themselves. He promises that the only way to preserve one’s life from the coming judgment is by faith. So even though destruction is decreed for the nation, there is hope for individuals who hold fast their confidence in God. The complete doctrine of justification by faith, was taught by Paul in Romans and Galatians. In Habakkuk we see the seed planted. Therefore, what I would like to do today is survey the content of this prophetic book, focus on its main point, and show how it unfolds in the New Testament as the great gospel truth of justification by faith.
When we say, “the just shall live by faith,” we mean that we are guided and directed by our faith. We act in a manner that is consistent with our faith—not out of a sense of thoughtless obedience but out of a confident and sincere love for our God and for the priceless wisdom He has revealed to His children. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith, from first to last.
“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.” Habakkuk 2:5. The proud refers to the Babylonians as well as other arrogant people, who exalt themselves and boast of their conquests and power. His soul is not upright in him. The Babylonians had no regard for God, His commandments, or His people. “The just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4. True righteousness before God is linked to genuine faith in God. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17
Our Pioneers
“We were few in numbers, without wealth, without worldly wisdom or worldly honors; and yet we believed in God, and were strong and successful, a terror to evildoers. Our love for one another was firm; it was not easily shaken. The power of God was manifested in our midst, the sick were healed, and there was much calm, sweet, holy joy. But while the light has continued to increase, the advancement of the church has not been proportionate to the light. The fine gold has gradually become dim, and deadness and formality have come in to cripple the energies of the church.” –Christ Triumphant, p. 345
One of Christ’s last commands to His disciples was “Love one another; as I have loved you.” John 13:34. Do we obey this command, or are we indulging sharp, unchristlike character traits? If we have in any way grieved or wounded others, it is our duty to confess our fault and seek reconciliation. This is an essential preparation, in order that we may come before God in faith, to ask His blessing.
Thus, Paul shows that God is abundantly able to transform the hearts of Jews and Gentiles alike and to grant to every believer in Christ the blessings promised to Israel. He repeats Isaiah’s declaration concerning God’s people: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: for He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.” Romans 9:27–29
Vindicators of God’s Law
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Romans 7:7
“The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author. God is love, and His law is love. Its two great principles are love to God and love to man. . . . The character of God is righteousness and truth; such is the nature of His law. . . . Such a law, as an expression of the mind and will of God, must be as enduring as its Author.” –The Great Controversy, p. 467. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25
Every one of us living upon the face of the earth must have our tests and trials. Circumstances will occur in the providence of God when we will be called upon to vindicate our faith. We shall give decided evidence on which side we are. We shall either be decidedly the vindicators of God’s holy law, or on the side of the transgressors. We shall be tested as Noah was tested. Because corruption was nearly universal at his age, did he then argue that it would not pay for him to stand separate and alone for God’s law? He took his position as God’s nobleman on the side of right because it was right.
Human Nature and Salvation
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Romans 7:14. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
“Christ was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him was no sin. But were the law abolished, as some claim, we would have no need of a Savior to take away sin, for ‘where no law is, there is no transgression.’ ‘Therefore by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.’
“‘But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came [home to the conscience], sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which [if obeyed] was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is [a yoke of bondage, against me, and something to be trampled underfoot because it points out my sins?—No.] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.’ [Romans 7:8–14].
“But though we are carnal, we are to reckon ourselves ‘dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. . . . But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, . . . ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.’ [Romans 6:11, 17–18, 22]”. –The Signs of the Times, October 1, 1894
For we walk by faith, not by sight
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35, 38-39. Amen.
Daniel Kimeu