Monthly Archives: February 2025

GOD’S WORD – ITS AUTHORITY

Apologetics, ,

How do we know that the Bible has the authority of no other book? Let’s allow it to speak for itself.

“Sola Scriptura” was the rallying cry of the Protestant Reformation. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church had made its traditions superior in authority to the Bible. This resulted in many practices that were in fact contradictory to the Bible.” (gotquestions)

What does the Bible have to say about its authority?

“The primary Catholic argument against sola scriptura is that the Bible does not explicitly teach sola scriptura. Catholics argue that the Bible nowhere states that it is the only authoritative guide for faith and practice. However, this is only true in the shallowest sense.

“The principle is strongly indicated by verses such as Acts 17:11, which commends the Bereans for testing doctrine—taught by an apostle, no less—to the written Word.” (gotquestions)

Acts 17:11 NIV
[11] “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Paul was obviously referring to the Tanach, the writings we call the Old Testament, which was already in existence and authoritative for the early church since the church recognised the gospel of Jesus as the continuation and fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures.

“Sola scriptura is all-but-explicitly indicated in 1 Corinthians 4:6, where Paul warns not to “go beyond what is written.” (gotquestions)

1 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
[6] “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.”

Since the early church recognised the authority of the Tanach, there was no place for competition between church leaders. They were bound by what was written in the Scriptures.

“Jesus Himself criticized those who allowed traditions to override the explicit commands of God in Mark 7:6–9.” (gotquestions)

Mark 7:6-8 NIV
[6] He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [7]  They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ [8]  You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

There is multiple evidence in the gospel records that Jesus based His entire life and teachings on the Old Testament Scriptures. His disclosure to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus after His resurrection reveal the foundation  of His earthly life and death.

Luke 24:25, 27 NIV
[25] “He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
[27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

The article on “Sola Scriptura”, found in www.gotquestions.com concludes with this argument.

“We know that the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible declares itself to be God-breathed, inerrant, and authoritative. We also know that God does not change His mind or contradict Himself. So, while the Bible itself may not explicitly argue for sola scriptura, it most definitely does not allow for traditions that contradict its message. Sola scriptura is not as much of an argument against tradition as it is an argument against unbiblical, extra-biblical and/or anti-biblical doctrines. The only way to know for sure what God expects of us is to stay true to what we know He has revealed—the Bible. We can know, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that Scripture is true, authoritative, and reliable. The same cannot be said of tradition.”

Where tradition clashes with or contradicts Scripture, our only safe position is to trust the Bible to be what it claims to be, the authoritative Word of God.

“The Word of God is the ultimate and only infallible authority for the Christian faith. Traditions are valid only when they conform with Scripture. Traditions that contradict the Bible are not of God and are not a valid aspect of the Christian faith. Sola scriptura is the only way to avoid subjectivity and keep personal opinion from taking priority over the teachings of the Bible. The essence of sola scriptura is basing one’s spiritual life on the Bible alone and rejecting any tradition or teaching that is not in full agreement with the Bible.  2 Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Paul assured his protege, young Timothy,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
[16] “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Like Paul, we can have every confidence in the authority of the Bible since it testifies to and proves the truth of its claim.

GOD’S WORD – ITS SOURCES

Apologetics, ,

How did a book as amazing and unique as the Bible come into existence? There is no other book written over two-plus millennia by more than 40 different authors residing in different countries, in three languages, that can claim the unity and cohesion that the Bible presents. This book is a miracle but…it did not fall from heaven; it had to have human participation to bring it about, a true partnership between God and people.

Let’s look at the process, even if only in summary form. This presentation may be a bit technical but I hope it helps you to understand something of the way in which we have a reliable copy of God’s Word.

Humans had to preserve the original writings as accurately as possible. There is no record of the way people went about collecting and preserving them , or even if they still exist. The only way we have access to them is through copies of copies of copies of the originals that were passed down from generation to generation. The miracle is that these copies are still in existence and that those who copied them were careful to preserve the text as error-free as possible. This accuracy is tested by comparing the most ancient copies with later ones.

How do we know this happened?

This is Meta’s summary…

“The accuracy of biblical manuscripts is a topic of ongoing scholarly debate and research.

Here’s a brief overview:

Manuscript Evidence
The Bible’s original texts, written by authors like Moses, David, and Paul, have not survived to the present day. However, we have thousands of manuscript copies, fragments, and quotes from early Christian writers that help us reconstruct the original texts.

Types of Manuscripts
1.”Autographs”: The original texts written by the authors (none have survived).

  1. “Manuscripts”: Handwritten copies of the texts (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus).
  2. “Papyri”: Fragments of texts written on papyrus (e.g., P52, P46).
  3. “Quotes” : Citations from early Christian writers (e.g., Origen, Eusebius).

Factors Supporting Accuracy

  1. “Manuscript Multiplicity”: Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts, and 1,000 other manuscripts exist.
  2. “Geographical Distribution”: Manuscripts come from various regions, reducing the likelihood of widespread errors.
  3. “Early Dates”: Some manuscripts date back to within 100-200 years of the original texts (e.g., P52, circa 125 AD).
  4. “Consistency”: Manuscripts show remarkable consistency, despite being copied over centuries.
  5. “Textual Criticism”: Scholars use various methods to analyze and compare manuscripts, ensuring the most accurate text possible.

Challenges and Limitations

  1. “Transmission Errors”: Human errors during copying, such as typos or omissions.
  2. “Intentional Changes”: Some scribes may have intentionally altered texts for theological or ideological reasons.
  3. “Lost Manuscripts”: Many manuscripts have been lost or destroyed over the centuries.

Conclusion
While we can’t be 100% certain about the accuracy of every detail, the cumulative evidence from manuscript multiplicity, geographical distribution, early dates, consistency, and textual criticism provides strong support for the reliability of the biblical texts. Scholars continue to refine our understanding of the texts through ongoing research and analysis.”

There is no other ancient writing as thoroughly documented as the Bible. In the case of works by ancient philosophers like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, for example, only a few texts are available today compared with the total count of nearly 66,000 including, for example, fragments of Bible texts on mummy wrappings.

“What about translations?” you might ask. “How do we know that translations are an accurate reflection of the original text?”

Again, Meta provides a helpful summary.

“Ensuring the accuracy of Bible translations is a complex process that involves several steps and considerations. Here are some key factors that contribute to the accuracy of Bible translations:

Translation Process
1.” Textual Criticism”: Scholars analyze and compare various manuscripts to determine the most reliable text.

  1. “Language Expertise”: Translators must be proficient in the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) and the target language.
  2. “Translation Teams” : Multiple scholars and translators work together to ensure accuracy and consistency.
  3. “Peer Review”: Translations are reviewed and critiqued by other experts to identify potential errors or inaccuracies.

Translation Philosophies

  1. “Formal Equivalence” : Translators focus on conveying the exact wording and grammatical structure of the original text.
  2. “Dynamic Equivalence” : Translators prioritize conveying the overall meaning and context of the original text, even if it means using different words or phrases.
  3. “Optimal Equivalence”: Translators aim to balance formal and dynamic equivalence, seeking to convey both the original wording and the overall meaning.

Additional Factors

  1. “Manuscript Evidence”: Translators rely on a vast array of manuscripts, including early and reliable texts.
  2. “Historical and Cultural Context”: Translators consider the historical, cultural, and social context in which the original text was written.
  3. “Theological and Literary Considerations”: Translators take into account the theological themes, literary styles, and genre-specific conventions of the original text.

Examples of Reliable Translations

  1. “New International Version (NIV)”: A balanced translation that aims for optimal equivalence.
  2. “New American Standard Bible (NASB)”: A formal equivalence translation that prioritizes accuracy and precision.
  3. “English Standard Version (ESV)”: A translation that seeks to balance formal and dynamic equivalence.

While no translation is perfect, the combination of rigorous scholarship, careful translation, and consideration of various factors helps ensure that modern Bible translations accurately reflect the true meaning of the original text.”

One final comment…
Translations done by teams of experts are more likely to be accurate than single translators since they provide checks and balances rather than the personal opinion or pet theory of one person.

We must be wary of those that paraphrase rather than translate because a paraphrase injects words and ideas that may not reflect the meaning of the words of the original text.

Since much of the Old Testament was written in paleo Hebrew, an ancient picture language, rather like a comic strip, the meaning of individual pictures representing words can only be derived from their context. This makes translation far more complicated since pictures cannot be translated into specific words. As many translators are abstract-thinking and philosophy-orientated, some of the Old Testament’s original meanings are lost in translation.

One example…in Genesis 1, the word “bara”, translated “created”, as in “God created” (bara) is used in other parts of Scripture in a way that cannot be translated “created”.

A word from the Lord to Eli about his wicked sons…

1 Samuel 2:29 NLT
[29] “So why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me—for you and they have become fat (bara) from the best offerings of my people Israel!”

In this context, Eli’s sons became fat on the sacrifices that belonged to God.

“Bara” can mean create, shape, filled up, or fatten. Is it not possible that, in Genesis 1, “bara” may mean, “In the beginning, God shaped or filled up the earth (in preparation for human habitation)?” The rest of Genesis 1 describes the process by which He reshaped a corrupted earth.

The study of textual criticism is too painstaking, involved and intricate to explain here but it is sufficient to say, in the face of all the evidence, that the Bible, in its translations, is a book as close to the original as is humanly possible to achieve.

The outcome for us today should be the confidence that we have access to God’s Word as close to the truth as He intended.

GOD’S WORD – ITS UNIQUENESS

Christian Life, ,

Today, I begin a series of meditations on the Word of God. I have no idea where this will lead but I pray that the Word itself will convince us of its incalculable worth in our lives as children of God. We live by His Word and die without it.

Our first obligation is to decide to believe what the Bible says about itself. We will never be convinced of its value for us unless we take at face value the Bible’s own witness. If we haven’t made that decision, the rest of this series is only of acedemic interest.

The Bible makes many claims to be unique, one of a kind, not in so many words but by what it is and does that no other book can do. Let’s examine some of its unique features, and for these features I am indebted to Google research, mostly from https://gotquestions.com

1. Unique in its popularity
The Bible is the bestselling book of all time. It has been translated into more languages and distributed more widely than any other book in history.

“The Guinness Book of World Records estimates that the Bible has been printed over 5 billion times.” (www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction, accessed 8/11/21).

2. Unique in its authorship
No other book can claim and demonstrate divine authorship.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
[20] “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, [21] or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
[16]”All Scripture is inspired by God…”

Many other religious books claim divine revelation of one kind or another but cannot produce evidence of their truth. The Bible alone makes claims for itself which are backed up evidence, among which are archeological, historical, scientific and experiential proofs of its authenticity.

The Bible is a divine/human book.

“Although the Holy Spirit is ultimately the author of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), He used many human authors to compile the 66 books of the Bible. Around forty different human writers in the span of about 1,500 years were involved in the collection of Scripture. These writers came from different time periods, backgrounds, occupations, and geographical locations. The writers include kings, prophets, fishermen, shepherds, servants, priests, and a physician.” (Quoted from” gotquestions”)

The Bible is a library of books, some short, some long, but bound together by supernatural inspiration and the common consent of spiritual leaders. Individual writings were gathered according to an agreed standard, into what is known as the canon of Scripture.

No other book has offended, been attacked and destroyed, been lost and found, been banned and outlawed, and yet been divinely protected than the Bible. Men suffered and died to translate, preserve and distribute this book. People either fear or revere the Bible.

3. Unique in its unity
Despite the span of time and the multiplicity of its writers, the Bible presents one theme, one God, and one human race.

“The different authors and writing styles make the Bible unique from other religious books, and it’s stunning to realize that the entire canon of Scripture shares a common theme—God’s salvation of mankind—and points to a central character—Jesus Christ.” (gotquestions)

Not only is the Bible unique in its unity but also in its presentation of God and man. Across the 66 books and multiplicity of writers, writing styles, genres, and languages, there is never a conflict between the writers’ presentation of God and mankind. The God of Genesis is the same God of Revelation and everything in between.

4. Unique in its content
No other book presents material so sublime with such authority and confidence, than can transform the lives of those who believe, than the Bible. From where come the mighty truths of Scripture but from the heart of God?

“Unlike other religious texts advocating good works to please an unreachable god, the Bible uniquely teaches that salvation is a gift from God that does not require human works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Whereas other religious books present a set of rules and regulations to follow, the Bible presents freedom in Christ (John 8:36). The Bible reveals that Jesus is God (John 1:1) and that He saves us through His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). No other sacred book claims that a religious leader rose from the dead (Matthew 28:5–7; Luke 24:5–6; John 20:20; 1 Corinthians 15:4–8). The God of Scripture is not a far-off, uncaring god but the Creator of all things who is intimately involved in the lives of His creation (Psalm 139:7–12; Acts 17:25–27). No other religious text gives the assurance of eternal life (John 3:16). No other religion’s book is without error or flaw, but the Bible is inerrant and infallible (see 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). (Quoted from “gotquestions”)

5. Unique in its prophetic content
“The Bible is also unique from other religious books in that it contains prophecy. In fact, by one count, about 27 percent of the Bible is predictive (Payne, J. B., The Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, Baker Pub. Group, 1980, p. 675). This means that, when written, over one fourth of the Bible—more than one in four verses—was prophetic.” (quoted from “gotquestions”).

The Bible has detailed prophecies, from cover to cover, that have already been fulfilled or are yet to be fulfilled in the promise of Jesus’s second coming.

Isaiah 41:21-22 NLT
[21] “Present the case for your idols,” says the Lord. “Let them show what they can do,” says the King of Israel. [22] “Let them try to tell us what happened long ago so that we may consider the evidence. Or let them tell us what the future holds, so we can know what’s going to happen.”

Isaiah 42:8-9 NLT
[8] “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols. [9] Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens.”

6. Unique in its languages
“Most books are written in one language. For instance, the Quran of Islam was written completely in Arabic, Hinduism’s Vedas were composed entirely in Sanskrit, and the Book of Mormon was written entirely in English. In contrast, the Bible’s authors used three different languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.” (quoted from “gotquestions”).

7. Unique in its sources
The writers show little evidence of borrowing from outside sources. Some quoted from historical records, some quoted from one another, for example, Paul quoted from David’s psalms but, in the main, prophets wrote from prophetic visions and and New Testament writers from eyewitness accounts…

1 John 1:1 NLT
[1] “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.”

… interpretation of Old Testament revelation

Acts of the Apostles 2:14-21 NLT
[14]”Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. [15] These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. [16] No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: [17] ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. [18] In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. [19] And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. [20] The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. [21] But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

….and personal experience.

Philippians 4:12-13 NLT
[12] “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

…and, finally,

8. Unique in its manuscript evidence
“The manuscript evidence for the New Testament is overwhelming. There are at least 5,300 Greek, 10,000 Latin, and 9,000 miscellaneous copies of the New Testament extant today.” (quoted from “gotquestions”)

Despite the overwhelming evidence for the uniqueness of the Bible, whether to believe or not to believe the evidence is a personal choice. As with all our interactions with the unseen God in the supernatural realm, faith is the only vehicle by which we can accept and receive the blessings and benefits of the salvation the Bible presents.

We alone can make the choice and experience the consequences of that choice.

To be continued…

HABAKKUK’S DILEMMA RESOLVED – 7

Bible Study, ,

Habakkuk 1:1-4NLT
[1] This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision.
[2] “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. [3] Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. [4] The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.”

In the interval, the prophet speaks to God and God speaks to the prophet.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT
[17]”Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, [18] yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! [19] The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments).

What a transformation! What happened to change Habakkuk from a miserable, lamenting, complaining prophet into a dancing, singing, joyful worshipper?

REVELATION!

Habakkuk started his journey at the bottom of his mountain. From his vantage point, he could see nothing but rocks, cliffs, and impossible terrain to climb. With his limited understanding, he could see no solution to his problem. Like any mountain he was trying to climb, the peak was covered in the mist and clouds of doubt and fear. How would he ever navigate the mess his beloved country was in?

How similar is our situation in our beloved land! God’s people look around at the devastation we are facing and wonder, “How will we ever climb this mountain?” We see nothing but problems, difficulties, and impossible situations created by the people who govern us and who are bent on dragging us to destruction. Where is God in all this? Has He washed His hands of us?

Unlike Habakkuk’s people in Judah, South Africans cannot claim a covenant relationship with God. Yet, within the population of this country, there is a people in covenant with God. Those who are in Christ by faith are part of the great kingdom of God over which Jesus rules in justice, righteousness, and peace.

When God crowned His Son king over the earth, He gave Him this promise,

Psalms 2:6-8 NLT
[6] “For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” [7] The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. [8] Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

So, the nations of the earth DO belong to Jesus. Despite their rebellion, and that includes South Africa,

1 Corinthians 15:25 NLT
[25]”… Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”

South Africa, then, although not in covenant with God as a nation, belongs to Jesus by right of the Father’s decree. Jesus rules over this land as the Father’s coronation gift. This means that He is at work in South Africa to bring the nation under His authority.

What we see now is our view from the bottom of the mountain. Like Habakkuk, our perspective is limited and incomplete. We will only be able to understand what God is doing in our country from the top of the mountain by faith, from which we have a panoramic view of what God has done and is doing in all the nations.

Let’s examine what the prophet learned that changed his attitude to God and to the situation in his land.

First, Habakkuk learned that God responds to humility and honesty. He had a problem and he wasn’t afraid to voice it. He genuinely wanted to know why God was doing nothing about the terrible things that His people were doing.

God is never offended by honest questions as long as we approach Him with reverence and awe. He is our Father but He is also the Most High God.

Second, Habakkuk learned that God never forces His will on anyone. He gave us free will. He wants us to choose Him and His way by the way He applies discipline to guide us towards the truth.

God’s people refused to obey His Word, so He put pressure on them by allowing the Babylonian invasion and exile to teach them to obey Him through the consequences of their disobedience.

In this way, God’s people made their own choice to abandon their idols and turn back to Him, at least for a while.

Third, Habakkuk learned that God is holy, sovereign, and all powerful over the nations. He used the Babylonians to punish and train His people but He also held them accountable for their wickedness.God judged Babylon for their idolatry. They were puffed up with their own achievements and worshipped the gods to whom they attributed their success.

Fourth, Habakkuk learned that God is concerned as much with individuals as He is with nations. He gave the prophet instructions to write a timeless principle on tablets of clay that could be taken everywhere for people to read.

“The proud are puffed up but those who are righteous will live by their faithfulness.”

Every individual chooses his path in life and is accountable to God for his choices. No one escapes His scrutiny.

Revelation 20:11-12 NIV
[11] “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

Fifth, Habakkuk learned that what God had done in the past to save His people from their enemies was the reason he could trust Him to save them from Babylon. They had to endure the punishment of exile in Babylon but God would intervene again. Israel’s history was a promise of God’s faithfulness to His Word.

Habakkuk 3:2 NIV
[2] “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

We can also trust God to help us on the strength of what He has done for us in the past. Every time God answers our prayers, He adds another rock to the strong foundation of our faith in Him.

Sixth, Habakkuk learned that God is greater and more powerful than all the forces of evil ranged against Him and His people. Despite the worst that ungodly people do, He will achieve His ultimate purpose. The knowledge of His glory WILL cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. The whole earth WILL stand before Him speechless because He is on His throne in His holy Temple, from which He reigns, and where He is worshipped.

Seventh, Habakkuk learned that he could rejoice in the Lord and trust Him for grace to overcome even if the whole world collapsed around Him. He could conquer the highest peaks through the strength of the Lord and the feet of a deer.

Habakkuk’s lament became a song of praise when he shifted his focus from his circumstances to the God who shaped his circumstances to reveal His glory.

God holds nations and individuals accountable according to the God/god they worship. Habakkuk’s song revealed that the Lord WAS indeed the object of his worship. In the end, the prophet’s interaction came down to one simple question, “Who do you worship?”

God is perfectly capable of taking care of His business with the nations. We can trust Him to carry out His plans to His final purpose of displaying His glory to everyone everywhere.

Our business is to trust Him and to nurture our fellowship with Him because, in the end, we cannot answer for anyone else. We are responsible and accountable to Him for ourselves alone.

HABAKKUK’S SECOND RESPONSE – 6

Bible Study, ,

The prophet turns from reflecting on God’s mighty power to inflict vengeance on the nations that had terrorised His people to his own personal response to God’s disclosures.

First…dread for what was about to happen.

Habakkuk 3:16 NLT
[16] “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror…”

In the face of what God had done to other nations, was Habakkuk’s dread for Babylon or for Israel? It seems that he felt for the horror that was to come upon God’s enemies. At the same time, he was comforted to know that Babylon would not get away with their cruelty towards God’s people.

“…I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.”

Despite the terrible things that would happen to the invaders…and the prophet expresses his dread for what God would do to them…he was confident of God’s vengeance that would rescue His people from the suffering the Babylonian army would inflict on them.

He knew what the horrors of invasion, brutal treatment, displacement and exile, and the day-to-day pain of slavery in a foreign land would mean. As a native of Judah, the prophet was surely no stranger to the horrors of war. The vicious and cruel Assyrians had already made inroads into his people’s lives. The northern kingdom of Israel had vanished and been replaced by foreigners conquered by Assyria. Now the threat of Babylonian invasion was even worse to contemplate.

However, in the midst of all that was to come, Habakkuk has a new song to sing.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT
[17] “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, [18] yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”

Comforted by God’s absolute authority over the nations, the assurance of His perfect righteousness and justice in His ways, and His use of nations to fulfil His purposes for His people, the prophet could face the future with faith in God. Regardless of his circumstances, despite the total collapse of Judah’s resources, Habakkuk’s song expresses his delight in his almighty and infallible God.

What if there was nothing left of Judah after the invasion! God was still there, and God was still his God. Habakkuk concludes his wild dance and song of celebration with a quote from his ancestor David…

Psalms 18:33 NLT
[33] “He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”

…who knew how to navigate the stresses and distresses of being a fugitive from Saul’s murderous hatred with God’s grace and help.

There were still mountains ahead for Habakkuk to climb, the steep heights of uncharted terrain that the Babylonian invasion would bring, but the prophet was confident that God would give him all the equipment he needed, “the feet of a deer”, to make it safely to the top. From those heights of sometimes difficult and painful experience, Habakkuk would have a panoramic view of God’s dealings with His people. He would see God’s mighty hand at work, guiding and disciplining Israel towards His goal…a people prepared to receive His Messiah.

Although this prophecy is expressed in poetic language as a song to be accompanied by stringed instruments, Habakkuk wrote it to make a strong and surprising point. Beginning with despair and lamentation over the conditions in his nation, he progresses through disclosure and understanding to a new stance of celebration and joy. God’s got the whole situation in hand and He will work it out for the good of His people and the glory of His name. From this perspective, Habakkuk could express his faith in God with a powerful, celebratory song… a song worth singing in the midst of our similar circumstances that caused the prophet so much distress but brought him to new confidence in the God of his ancestors.

Habakkuk ends his story with a declaration of faith that puts him in the category of those who, righteous by faith and faithful to the Lord, will live in and through the midst of war and destruction.