Habacuque 3
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Habacuque 3
Spurgeon says "he truly was one who saw the promises afar off and was persuaded of them and embraced them. He took fast hold upon the goodness of the Lord and rested there." (Sermon) A prayer - This is not just a prayer, but a prayer that reads like a psalm. Indeed, it is a song to be sung, one that all of God's people can sing. Note that Shigionoth is translated "ode" or song in the Greek. And the last phrase in Hab 3:19b makes it clear this prayer is to be sung... For the choir director, on my stringed instruments. From the NT we know that a song on one's lips is a sign of the Spirit filling one's heart (Eph 5:18-note, Eph 5:19-note). While Habakkuk does not mention the Holy Spirit, there is no doubt that the Spirit was inspiring and infilling the prophet to record one of the most magnificent descriptions of Jehovah in the entire Word of God. We too would do well to "sing" this great psalm frequently, especially when we find ourselves in a "Habakkuk-like hole" so to speak, when we find ourselves seemingly overwhelmed by the circumstances (real or imagined), unable to find rest and peace in our own strength. In that state, instead of looking inward, we do well to imitate Habakkuk and looking back to remember the great and mighty works of our great God, and then looking forward, confident of the future fulfillment of every one of His great promises given to us personally in Christ Jesus. Henry Morris... This psalm, designed to be sung as a prayer hymn, seeks both to review God's works of old for His people, as a means of encouraging them in relation to the troubles that were coming, and also to assure that God's ancient promises will surely be fulfilled (Ed: Stated another way, God is a Covenant Keeping God and His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel is everlasting, just as is His covenant with all who are in Christ by grace through faith.) Corrie Ten Boom's well known quote is a great subtitle for Habakkuk 3... If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest. Shigionoth - Lxx translates it with Greek word ode meaning "song." The NASB has a note says it is "a highly emotional poetic form", that it may refer to "a wild passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm" which presumably is why the Amplified version is translated as follows... A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, Set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphal music. NET Note on Shigionoth: The meaning of this word is uncertain. It may refer to the literary genre of the prayer or to the musical style to be employed when it is sung. And so we see the prophet turn his worry into worship, a prayer in the form of a song. As Corrie Ten Boom said "Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.” As Spurgeon wrote "It was a divine song which Habakkuk sang when in the night he said Hab. 3:17-18. No man can make a song in the night of himself. He may attempt it, but he will find that a song in the night must be divinely inspired. Oh, Chief Musician, let us not remain without song because affliction is upon us; tune our lips to the melody of thanksgiving. (Daily Help) Habakkuk 3:2 LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.: I have: Hab 3:16 1:5-10 Ex 9:20,21 2Ch 34:27,28 Job 4:12-21 Ps 119:120 Isa 66:2 Jer 36:21-24 Da 8:17 Heb 11:7 12:21 Rev 15:4 report, or hearing, Isa 53:1 Ro 10:16 O Lord: Ezra 9:8 Ps 85:6 Ps 90:13-17 Ps 138:7,8 Isa 51:9-11 Isa 63:15-19 Isa 64:1-4 Hos 6:2,3 Jn 10:10 Php 1:6 In the midst of the years: Jer 25:11,12 Jer 52:31-34 Da 9:2 In wrath: Ex 32:10-12 Nu 14:10-23 Nu 16:46,47 2Sa 24:10-17 Ps 6:1,2 Ps 38:1 Ps 78:38 Jer 10:24 Jer 29:10 La 3:32 Zec 1:12) Habakkuk 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Play Robin Mark's great song Revival - and then ask God for personal, corporate and national revival for the Glory of the Lord. Amen LXX = O Lord, I have heard Thy report, and was afraid: I considered Thy works, and was amazed: Thou shalt (future tense) be known between the two living creatures, Thou shalt (future tense) be acknowledged when the years draw nigh; Thou shalt (future tense) be manifested when the time is come; when my soul is troubled, Thou wilt in wrath remember mercy. The Prophet’s fear—“O Lord, I have heard Your speech, and was afraid.” The Prophet’s prayer—“O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years.” The Prophet’s plea—“In wrath remember mercy” LORD, I have heard the report about You - Literally, ”Yahweh I have heard the hearing of You." Notice that Habakkuk begins his prayer with Jehovah, the covenant Name of God, the God Who keeps covenant! (Compare Hab 1:2-note). As a result of the vision in the previous chapters, we can only imagine the depth of the prophet's awe at the greatness of His God. Undoubtedly Habakkuk is forever changed by this encounter and rightly so! How do we know? He no longer accuses the God of not hearing (Hab 1:2-note), because he himself has now heard the report ("the hearing"). Notice also how the complaint has changed to a petition, for he knows that Jehovah is not silent, and he desires to see more of His great work (Hab 3:2). Is this not the case in our life -- when God reveals some aspect or truth about Himself, it often kindles in us a desire for even more of Him. Indeed, the invitation is ever to O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8-note Robert Spendera makes an interesting observation - An important feature of Bible study is to observe the use of pronouns and determine each referent. Habakkuk’s personal plea (Hab 3:2) is followed by a magnificent description of the Lord’s coming using third person forms (Hab 3:3-6). A change back to the first person signals the end of the description and transitions to the next section of the psalm (Hab 3:7). The second part of the psalm moves on a more personal level by employing second person forms (Hab 3:8-15). Finally, the psalm ends with Habakkuk’s personal reaction to his encounter with the Lord (Hab 3:16-19). (Grow Your Faith With Habakkuk - Emmaus Journal 11:1, Summer, 2002) I fear (Literally "I am afraid") - KJV = "was afraid"; NET = "I am awed"; CSB = "I stand in awe"; ESV = "your work, O LORD, do I fear" rather that "You...I fear." The godly man has a healthy (reverential) fear of God. The ungodly in their arrogance and self-deception do not fear Him (Ps 36:1-note). Spurgeon - It is the fear of solemn awe—it is not dread or terror, but reverence. Read it in connection with the 20th verse of the preceding chapter (Hab 2:20)—“But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him. O Lord, I have heard Your speech, and was afraid.” All else was hushed and then, in the solemn silence, he heard Jehovah’s voice and trembled. It is not possible that mortal men should be thoroughly conscious of the Divine Presence without being filled with awe. I suppose that this feeling in unfallen Adam was less overwhelming because he had no sense of sin, but surely even to him it must have been a solemn thing to hear the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. (Sermon) PETITIONS FOR REVIVAL & MERCY Habakkuk 3:1 designates this chapter as a prayer and it is notable because Habakkuk has only 2 petitions - revive Your work...make it known and remember mercy. This psalm, designed to be sung as a prayer hymn, seeks both to review God's works of old for His people, as a means of encouraging them in relation to the troubles that were coming, and also to assure that God's ancient promises will surely be fulfilled. Revive (piel imperative) your work - preserve or make alive. Habakkuk prays for God's redemptive intervention during the period of their chastisement ("in the midst of the years"). Although God's warnings surely were enough to make them afraid, Habakkuk and the people could still pray for revival and for God to be merciful, even in His wrath against their sins. Habakkuk prayed for a fresh manifestation of God’s power. Patterson adds "He asked that God would again make known his work of redemption. With aching heart, he urged God to be compassionate in the coming turmoil (cf. Ex 34:6, 7; 1Kgs 8:33, 34, 46–53; 2Chr 6:24, 25, 36-39; Isa 54:8). Habakkuk’s prayer would be answered according to the terms of Israel’s covenant with God (Deut 4:25–31) and also the prophecies of Jeremiah (Ed: The Historical Fulfillment = Regathering after Babylonian Captivity = Jer 25:1–11; 29:10–14; cf. 2Chr 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Da 9:2). His prayer and its realization stand as a harbinger of God’s future gathering of His people (Israel) in redemptive power (Ed: The Eschatological or Future Regathering of Israel and Redemption of the Remnant = Read Dt 30:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Ezek 36:24–38; 37:21-28; Amos 9:14, 15; Mic 4:6; Zeph 3:20; Zech 10:5–12)(Ed: cp Ro 11:25, 26, 27-note). (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 10: Minor Prophets, Hosea–Malachi; Tyndale House Publishers) Revive is the verb chayah = to live, to have life, to give, to restore life. OT passages that speak of "revival" = Ezra 9:8 Ps 85:6 Ps 90:13-17 Ps 138:7-8 Isa 51:9-11 Isa 63:15-19 Isa 64:1-4 Hos 6:2-3 Ps 119:25, Ps 69:32 Ps 71:20 Ps 80:18 Ps 119:37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159 Ps 138:7 Ps 143:11 Hab 3:2 Tozer said "Revival will come when prayer is no longer used as a substitute for obedience." (1Sa 15:22,23) Or stated another way ""There will be No Revival without Rebible!" Leonard Ravenhill - In revival God is not concerned about filling empty churches, He is concerned about filling empty hearts. Habakkuk may have had something like this in mind... Send a revival, O Christ, my Lord, Let it go over the land and sea; Send it according to Thy dear Word, And let it begin in me. -McKinney Patterson writes that "The verb (for revive) can denote not only giving, calling, or creating life (Ge 7:3; Dt 32:39) but also reviving and renewing life (Ps 80:19; 85:6; Ps 119:25) as well as preserving life (Ge 12:12; Dt 6:24; Ps 22:29). The reference here points to the redeeming work of God that is rehearsed in Hab 3:3-15. (See Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah - Exegetical Commentary) Ryrie explains that Habakkuk is asking God to preserve or make alive His "declared program of judgment on Judah and then on Babylon (Hab 1:5-11-note). Habakkuk was satisfied that God's ways, though not fully comprehensible, are best. The Psalmist prays... Will You not Yourself revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? (Ps 85:6) Criswell comments: "In You" (lit. "You alone") is emphatic and underscores the biblical premise that any genuine restoration of the national and spiritual life of a country has its origin in God. (Ed: Similarly, note that any manifestation of genuine joy is in God = Hab 3:18 "Yet I will exult in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.") Your work - Jamieson says "Perfect the work of delivering Thy people, and do not let Thy promise lie as if it were dead, but give it new life by performing it [Menochius].
Habacuque 3
Spurgeon comments - Note, that the Lord also gave him sure-footedness. The hinds leap over rock and crag, never missing their foothold. Our Lord will give us grace to follow the most difficult paths of duty without a stumble. He can fit our foot for the crags, so that we shall be at home where apart from God we should perish. One of these days we shall be called to higher places still. Up yonder we shall climb, even to the mount of God, the high places where the shining ones are gathered. Oh, what feet are the feet of faith, by which, following the Hind of the Morning, we shall ascend into the hill of the Lord! Herbert Vander Lugt - A friend who has been working with Christians in India told me that hundreds of thousands of new converts reflect a joy and gladness that puts him to shame. Could it be that because they are desperately poor they focus more fully on Christ? This friend and I have Jesus Christ plus many earthly possessions and pleasures. They have Christ plus nothing. He’s all they need, and so they sing with greater fervor than I, “God is so good!” Yes, God is good, no matter what our circumstances. It’s a lesson we all must learn sooner or later. O taste and see that God is good To all who seek His face; Yea, blest that one who trusts in Him, Confiding in His grace. —Psalter Even when everything looks bad, God is good. Fast Feet - While in Chile for a Bible conference, I was resting at the hotel when a rugby match came on the television. Though I don’t fully understand rugby, I enjoy it and admire the courage it takes to play such a dangerous sport. During the match, one of the French players was injured and had to be taken to the sidelines. As the trainers attended to him, the camera showed a close-up of his shoes. With a black marker the player had written the words: “Habakkuk 3:19” and “Jesus is the way.” Those expressions of faith and hope were a strong testimony of that young athlete’s priorities and values. The verse cited on that rugby player’s shoes is not just one of heavenly hope and persevering faith. It is one of practical value—especially to an athlete dependent on speed for success. It says, “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” In all of life, we need the strength and supply of our God. He alone can give us “feet” that are swift and strong. He alone can equip us for all of the uncertainties of life, for He alone is our strength. With Paul, we can be assured: “My God shall supply all your need” (Php 4:19-note).— by Bill Crowder In You, O Lord, I take delight, My every need You will supply; I long to do what’s true and right, So, Lord, on You I will rely. —D. De Haan We always have enough when God is our supply. TODAY IN THE WORD Habakkuk 3:19 - Physicist Stephen Unwin recently wrote a book entitled The Probability of God. “I don’t consider anything to be understood until numbers have been applied,” he said. “I have made a career of understanding and analyzing uncertainty and probabilities. Therefore, it seemed obvious to apply these methods to the ultimate uncertainty–whether God exists.” Using something called Bayes’ Theorem as well as other equations, he reviewed evidence from observation and experience in an attempt to assign a mathematically rigorous number to the probability of the existence of a personal God. He concluded that the probability of God’s existence was 67 percent. People wrestle with their spiritual doubts in many different ways–the prophet Habakkuk took his questions directly to God. Habakkuk ministered around the same time as Jeremiah. In his book, written mostly as a dialogue, he asked and argued about the comprehensibility and justice of God’s ways–especially regarding His punishment of Israel through conquest and exile–and God answered. This prophecy encouraged the faith of the godly remnant of Israel. Today’s reading is a prayer or psalm that was Habakkuk’s concluding response to God’s answers. His central petition was for God to do what He had done in the past, that is, to show His power and love in the lives of His people in order to make His name known in present times: “Renew them in our day, in our time make them known” (Hab 3:2). His poetic recounting of the Exodus in Hab 3:3-15 described God’s unstoppable power exercised on Israel’s behalf–it was a faith-boosting recollection of what God could do. These memories made the prophet’s heart pound with excitement, even though he would have to wait for God’s judgment on Babylon (Hab 3:16). TODAY ALONG THE WAY - Did you know you’re allowed to ask God tough questions? Even to express doubts? God is far bigger than all your questions and doubts–He can handle them, and your faith will be strengthened as a result. (Copyright Moody Bible Institute. Used by permission. All rights reserved) Surefootedness—Habakkuk 3:19 - THIS confidence of the man of God is tantamount to promise, for that which faith is persuaded of is the purpose of God. The prophet had to traverse the deep places of poverty and famine, but he went downhill without slipping, for the Lord gave him standing. By and by, he was called to the high places of the hills of conflict; and he was no more afraid to go up than to go down. See! the Lord lent him strength. Nay, Jehovah Himself was his strength. Think of that: the Almighty God Himself becomes our strength! Note, that the Lord also gave him sure-footedness. The hinds leap over rock and crag, never missing their foothold. Our Lord will give us grace to follow the most difficult paths of duty without a stumble. He can fit our foot for the crags, so that we shall be at home where apart from God we should perish. One of these days we shall be called to higher places still. Up yonder we shall climb, even to the mount of God, the high places where the shining ones are gathered. Oh, what feet are the feet of faith, by which, following the Hind of the Morning, we shall ascend into the hill of the Lord! (Faith's Checkbook)