Habakkuk Sermon Series
Part 3
Sermon follow-up 8/4/25
Introduction
In a world filled with injustice, violence, and suffering, it's easy to wonder if evil will ever be defeated. When we see innocent people suffering or experience pain ourselves, we might question where God is in all of this. The book of Habakkuk addresses these very concerns and reminds us of a powerful truth: God is on His throne, and nobody will get away with evil.
What Does Habakkuk Teach Us About Evil in the World?
Habakkuk was a prophet who had a conversation with God about the evil he saw among his own people. He cried out, asking when God would act against the injustice in the nation of Judah. God's response was surprising - He would use the even more wicked Babylonian empire to judge Judah.
This left Habakkuk confused. How could God use an evil nation to accomplish His purposes? It seemed like adding evil to evil. Yet God's response wasn't to explain His methods but to assure Habakkuk that He remains sovereign and that evil will not have the final word.
In Habakkuk 2:6-20, we find five "woes" against the Babylonian empire and two powerful truths about God. These woes were given as a taunt song to encourage the Israelites that despite their coming exile, God remained in control and would ultimately bring justice.
The Five Woes Against Evil
Woe #1: Against Those Who Exploit Others (verses 6-8)
The Babylonians invaded nations, plundered wealth, enslaved people, and destroyed lands. In God's eyes, every time they did this, they were taking out a loan that would eventually come due. Verse 7 says, "Will not your creditors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble?"
This prophecy was fulfilled when the Persian empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC, happening with stunning speed. The plunderers were plundered because God is on His throne.
Woe #2: Against Those Who Build Security Through Injustice (verses 9-11)
The Babylonians thought they were untouchable. They built massive walls around their city (estimated at 300 feet high) and stockpiled provisions to withstand attacks for years. They were like the Titanic of the ancient world - seemingly invincible but destined to fall.
When the Persians diverted the river that ran through Babylon, they created a path right into the heart of the city. All those defenses were overcome in a single night.
Jesus's words echo this warning: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world and yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36)
Woe #3: Against Those Who Build on the Wrong Foundation (verses 12-13)
Babylon was impressive on the surface - strong fortifications, powerful armies, tremendous wealth, even one of the seven wonders of the world (the Hanging Gardens). But God reminded His people that the Babylonians had built their city on bloodshed and oppression.
This warns us that anything built on the wrong foundation will eventually crumble. Jesus taught this same principle in Matthew 7:24-25: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Woe #4: Against Those Who Shame Others for Pleasure (verses 15-17)
The Babylonians intentionally brought shame to others for their own pleasure. They committed violence, shed blood, and destroyed cities. God saw it all and promised that "the cup from the Lord's right hand is coming around to you" (verse 16).
This cup represents God's righteous judgment against sin. It's sobering to realize that this cup isn't just for the Babylonians but for all who have sinned - including us. Yet Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39). He drank the cup of wrath so we wouldn't have to.
Woe #5: Against Idolatry (verses 18-19)
The Babylonians carved idols from wood and stone, covered them in gold, and then bowed down to them asking for guidance and blessing. This seems ridiculous - worshiping something you created yourself.
Yet we do the same thing when we let money, career, success, or relationships become more important than God. Tim Keller suggests that these "surface idols" stem from four "deep idols": power, approval, comfort, or control. When we elevate anything above God, we're practicing idolatry.
Two Powerful Truths About God
Amid these woes, God gives two incredible truths that bring hope:
Truth #1: God's Glory Will Fill the Earth (verse 14)
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
This verse promises that one day, God's glory will saturate every corner of the earth. The "knowledge" here isn't just head knowledge but relational knowledge - experiencing God's goodness, forgiveness, love, and acceptance.
Until that day comes, we get to participate in bringing this prophecy to fulfillment by sharing the knowledge of God's glory in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.
Truth #2: God Is on His Throne (verse 20)
"The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."
This is the ultimate mic-drop moment. God is reminding us that He was, is, and always will be on the throne. Evil isn't going to win. Sin isn't going to reign forever.
Because God is on His throne, we can be silent - not out of fear, but out of trust and security. We don't have to wonder if God hears us or sees what's happening. Like a child whose father says, "I'm here, I see you, I know what's going on, and I've got you," we can rest in God's sovereignty.
Life Application
When we look at our broken world, it's easy to feel that evil is winning. Whether we read about Christians being persecuted around the world or experience injustice in our own lives, we need to remember that God sees every injustice, and nobody will get away with evil.
Here are some questions to reflect on this week:
When you feel overwhelmed by the evil in the world, how can you remind yourself that "the Lord is in his holy temple"?
Remember, what we see now is just a short blip on the radar in the timeline of eternity. One day, we will wake up to the reality that sin is gone, evil is vanquished, and we will live in the presence of God forever. Until then, we can trust that God is on His throne, and nobody will get away with evil.
Introduction
In a world filled with injustice, violence, and suffering, it's easy to wonder if evil will ever be defeated. When we see innocent people suffering or experience pain ourselves, we might question where God is in all of this. The book of Habakkuk addresses these very concerns and reminds us of a powerful truth: God is on His throne, and nobody will get away with evil.
What Does Habakkuk Teach Us About Evil in the World?
Habakkuk was a prophet who had a conversation with God about the evil he saw among his own people. He cried out, asking when God would act against the injustice in the nation of Judah. God's response was surprising - He would use the even more wicked Babylonian empire to judge Judah.
This left Habakkuk confused. How could God use an evil nation to accomplish His purposes? It seemed like adding evil to evil. Yet God's response wasn't to explain His methods but to assure Habakkuk that He remains sovereign and that evil will not have the final word.
In Habakkuk 2:6-20, we find five "woes" against the Babylonian empire and two powerful truths about God. These woes were given as a taunt song to encourage the Israelites that despite their coming exile, God remained in control and would ultimately bring justice.
The Five Woes Against Evil
Woe #1: Against Those Who Exploit Others (verses 6-8)
The Babylonians invaded nations, plundered wealth, enslaved people, and destroyed lands. In God's eyes, every time they did this, they were taking out a loan that would eventually come due. Verse 7 says, "Will not your creditors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble?"
This prophecy was fulfilled when the Persian empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC, happening with stunning speed. The plunderers were plundered because God is on His throne.
Woe #2: Against Those Who Build Security Through Injustice (verses 9-11)
The Babylonians thought they were untouchable. They built massive walls around their city (estimated at 300 feet high) and stockpiled provisions to withstand attacks for years. They were like the Titanic of the ancient world - seemingly invincible but destined to fall.
When the Persians diverted the river that ran through Babylon, they created a path right into the heart of the city. All those defenses were overcome in a single night.
Jesus's words echo this warning: "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world and yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36)
Woe #3: Against Those Who Build on the Wrong Foundation (verses 12-13)
Babylon was impressive on the surface - strong fortifications, powerful armies, tremendous wealth, even one of the seven wonders of the world (the Hanging Gardens). But God reminded His people that the Babylonians had built their city on bloodshed and oppression.
This warns us that anything built on the wrong foundation will eventually crumble. Jesus taught this same principle in Matthew 7:24-25: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Woe #4: Against Those Who Shame Others for Pleasure (verses 15-17)
The Babylonians intentionally brought shame to others for their own pleasure. They committed violence, shed blood, and destroyed cities. God saw it all and promised that "the cup from the Lord's right hand is coming around to you" (verse 16).
This cup represents God's righteous judgment against sin. It's sobering to realize that this cup isn't just for the Babylonians but for all who have sinned - including us. Yet Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39). He drank the cup of wrath so we wouldn't have to.
Woe #5: Against Idolatry (verses 18-19)
The Babylonians carved idols from wood and stone, covered them in gold, and then bowed down to them asking for guidance and blessing. This seems ridiculous - worshiping something you created yourself.
Yet we do the same thing when we let money, career, success, or relationships become more important than God. Tim Keller suggests that these "surface idols" stem from four "deep idols": power, approval, comfort, or control. When we elevate anything above God, we're practicing idolatry.
Two Powerful Truths About God
Amid these woes, God gives two incredible truths that bring hope:
Truth #1: God's Glory Will Fill the Earth (verse 14)
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
This verse promises that one day, God's glory will saturate every corner of the earth. The "knowledge" here isn't just head knowledge but relational knowledge - experiencing God's goodness, forgiveness, love, and acceptance.
Until that day comes, we get to participate in bringing this prophecy to fulfillment by sharing the knowledge of God's glory in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.
Truth #2: God Is on His Throne (verse 20)
"The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."
This is the ultimate mic-drop moment. God is reminding us that He was, is, and always will be on the throne. Evil isn't going to win. Sin isn't going to reign forever.
Because God is on His throne, we can be silent - not out of fear, but out of trust and security. We don't have to wonder if God hears us or sees what's happening. Like a child whose father says, "I'm here, I see you, I know what's going on, and I've got you," we can rest in God's sovereignty.
Life Application
When we look at our broken world, it's easy to feel that evil is winning. Whether we read about Christians being persecuted around the world or experience injustice in our own lives, we need to remember that God sees every injustice, and nobody will get away with evil.
Here are some questions to reflect on this week:
- What areas of injustice or suffering in your life or in the world are causing you to question God's sovereignty?
- What are you building your life on? Is it a foundation that will last, or will it crumble like Babylon's walls?
- What idols might you be elevating above God in your life? Is it power, approval, comfort, or control that you're seeking?
- How can you participate in filling your sphere of influence with "the knowledge of the glory of the Lord"?
When you feel overwhelmed by the evil in the world, how can you remind yourself that "the Lord is in his holy temple"?
Remember, what we see now is just a short blip on the radar in the timeline of eternity. One day, we will wake up to the reality that sin is gone, evil is vanquished, and we will live in the presence of God forever. Until then, we can trust that God is on His throne, and nobody will get away with evil.
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