This is our last study from the book of Habakkuk, and I get a deep sense that now we know even less about this book than when we first started out. It is one of the most profound and complicated books of the Scriptures, but one of the most rewarding and it is always there to be both reviewed over and over and to be blessed again and again by it.
Let us sum up the book by keeping our eyes on the man Habakkuk. After seeing the rise and spread of evil around him, and after God’s first response to Habakkuk in how evil will increase, Habakkuk’s initial response is awesome! This is when he recognized God’s deep involvement and at the same time His great holiness, purity and light. This is when He said to the Lord in Habakkuk 1:13, You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on mischief: why do you look upon him that deal treacherously, and keep silent when the wicked swallows up a man more righteous than he?
His knowledge of prophecy from the Word of God brought him to realize that God is not in a remote place up there in the heavens. He is here and active and he asks; how could such a holy God allow Himself to see, to look on evil in the way that our God does? Habakkuk was hurting for God. See how he changed from accusations to wanting to protect God’s reputation of holiness? That is the effect of the Word. That was Habakkuk’s first sign of transformation.
This is when he decided to act. In chapter 2;1 he says: I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer as to my reproof.
This is when Habakkuk realized his work, his mission. Notice the four things he says here:
I will stand
I will set myself on the tower
I will keep watch
I will be ready to answer
Habakkuk now decides to resume his work as a priest and keep watch, that is zapha, Hebrew for meaning to look, to observe. And what does a watchman do? He warns, he informs, he alerts. He went back to his watch post, a high tower; the Hebrew is mišmeret. This word is frequently used in relation to the priestly sacred works at the Temple. That is the effect of reading and studying God’s Word.
And now, after being brought to the final moments of evil and after seeing the Messiah coming back in all His glory, the third thing which happened, is truly wonderful for now Habakkuk reaches a point of great peace. From the turmoil of chapter one, now at the end he writes a song which reflects not only his full understanding of the movement of this world, but also experiences a great shabbat, a great shalom that has filled his heart. This is the effect of knowing God.
So, after asking his famous questions and after considering God’s answers, Habakkuk began to realize even more God’s presence in this world. Then, filled with a sense of responsibility, he undertook to watch, to warn, to encourage what he knew. Then he wrote that beautiful song in Habakkuk 3:17-19.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.
Click here for the complete teaching: The Prophet Habakkuk Sermon 8 : “Habakkuk’s Transformation”