FAITHFUL LIVING WHEN IT TAKES FAITH TO LIVE

Sermon Notes for

Sunday, January 30, 2011
Pleasant Valley E.M.C.

(Slide 1)

Fear knocked, faith answered, nobody was there!

When we are down and out, often God gets us to do something to get us moving forward.

A great example of this is Elijah. He has just had the wonderful showdown on Mt.
Carmel. It was an epic spiritual battle of 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the
Asherah against one man and one God. God won! Jezebel, that wonderful wife of Ahab,
has it out for Elijah, and Elijah heads for the hills. Depression overcomes him. God has
kick start him, and guess what? God gets him to do something: anoint Hazael as king
over Aram, anoint Jehu as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha as prophet in the place of
Elijah.

My nephew has coined the phrase,

“When you find something difficult, do something more difficult.”

God has prepared Habakkuk. Habakkuk has gone through the cycle of venting his anger,
frustration and misunderstanding. In this process that Habakkuk is going through, he now
comes to the point where he is ready to listen. And folks, God is probably not going to
tell us much until we come to the point where we will quiet our hearts and be willing to
listen. We cannot hear God when we are the ones shouting at Him. He will not engage in
a shouting match with us. Because Habakkuk has quieted his heart, God can now speak.
It’s a process. God had to get Habakkuk ready for the message, because nothing has
really changed in His message to Habakkuk. The message is still the same- the Chaldeans
are coming!

And so, to get Habakkuk moving, God gets him to do something…..

(Slide 2)

I. God’s Second & Final Response: (Habakkuk 2:2-20)

1. Instruction to do something (2:2)

Habakkuk is to do 3 things:

a) Record the vision

The first question I have is, “Which vision?” And my second question is, “Why
write the vision?”
(Slide 3)

NASB NIV NRSV NLT

That the one who So that a herald may So that a runner so that a runner can
reads it may run run with it may read it carry the correct
(Margin Note: one message to others.
may read it fluently

My question, “why write the vision on tablets?” comes from the NASB’s translation.
Now take a look at the power-point. Do you see the marginal note that the NASB has?
They are leaving open an option I think is the right reading. The issue is not about
running, but rather the concern is a very clear writing of this vision. It’s all about clarity!
If this is all about running somewhere, then the next question is why would the person
run? Where should the person run to? And what about this vision would cause a person to
run? All these questions find no answer in our text.

The view of clarity of the recorded vision is reinforced by God’s second command to
Habakkuk…

(Slide 4)

b) Inscribe it on tablets

NASB NIV NRSV NLT

And inscribe it on Make it plain on Make it plain on Write my answer
tablets tablets tablets plainly on tablets

Again, NASB, my Bible of choice, says something rather different than the other
translations. What do we do about this? Here is my position on the matter. This is how I
understand it as it should read, and this is my paraphrase: Habakkuk, this is God talking. I
want you to record a vision. I want you to write it down clearly so that everyone can
easily read it. In fact, I want you to write it so that like a billboard, anyone who passes by
can clearly read it.

We do the same thing. You want you wife to write down specifically what she
shall get for you from the lumber yard. What is written down on paper, or in this case a
tablet, is more readily remembered! Merely saying what you want, unless its very simple,
is very easily forgotten! This was my cross to bear when Rick Kroeker would send me to
the lumber store. He spoke his language of carpentry which to me was a foreign
language. He would have been better off to speak to me in Yiddish! And so to ensure I
got things right, I wrote down the most simple order. This is why God commanded the
King, in Deuteronomy 17:18 to write for himself a copy of the law so that he could read
daily the law so he would learn to fear God. And when years later, after the nation had
slipped from God and disregarded the Law, the days of Josiah saw a great revival because
somebody discovered the written copy of the Law in the temple. So, this vision is of such
importance that God wants it written down. He wants a permanent record of it that is not
to be corrupted by-word-of-mouth!

The third command is that dreaded four letter “w” word:

(Slide 5)

c) Wait for its fulfillment

That’s it- WAIT! How long? Hey, did you notice Habakkuk does not ask that
question anymore?

First, he is instructed to do something, and now God gives….

(Slide 6)

2. Assurance of what will happen (2:3)

Ok so what’s this vision all about, you ask?

Hang on a bit, my friends. First things first.

This message is a bit technical, isn’t it? You like a message like last Sunday
better- a message than plays more on the heart than the head? Hey, you all came down
that dreaded gravel road, and so that shows me you are resilient, tough, brave folk who
can handle some T-Bone Steak, huh? So just wait! it will all come together! Ready to get
back to the workshop? You are doing well! Way da stick with me! Ok, here we go!

Take notice of how beautifully 2:3 is constructed.

(Slide 7)

11 For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

22 It hastens [lit. pants] toward the goal, and it will not fail.
31Though it tarries, wait for it;
42 For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

Lines 2 & 4 say basically the same thing; while lines 1 & 3 are very similar as
well. Why say things twice in different ways? Its an old Hebrew Poetry technique, and
we do the same to our children.

Johnny, the trash needs to be taken out;

Please do it before the garbage truck comes.
Johnny, take the garbage to the curb,
and do it before the garbage truck has passed!
Folks, this is a very important verse and very specifically written in this manner for a
very special reason: IT EMPHASIZES CERTAINTY. In literal Rosenort English, here is
what God is saying, “Habakkuk, the vision is for an appointed time, but it’s coming,
Habakkuk. Did you get that, Habakkuk? The vision, it may tarry, but Habakkuk, this
vision, it’s coming!” God has emphatically emphasized the absolute certainty of the
coming of this vision!! The reason for this emphasis on certainty will become clear to
you before this sermon is over.

Ok, what I have been afraid of must now be dealt with.

As we discuss this, try to keep in mind two points:

(Slide 8)

i) Remember the short phrase in 2:4c- “But the righteous will live by his
faith.” This is the second spiritual oasis in Habakkuk, and IT IS AT THE ABSOLUTE
PINNICLE OF IMPORTANCE! WE CANNOT MISS IT; WE MUST NOT TREAT IT
CASUALLY! Miss it, and I believe we will have missed the entire message of
Habakkuk! Whatever this vision is about, at the heart of it is FAITH!!

(Slide 9)

ii) Did you notice that this little phrase- But the righteous shall live by
faith- is completely surrounded by a litany of descriptions about the wicked? I think there
is a special reason for that, and I hope to explain it.

What is this vision? We know it is of utmost importance because it was to be

clearly written, and writing it on a tablet means a permanent record of it is demanded
(like Lynn taking minutes at our Covenant Meetings- an indisputable record that
eliminates confusion), and now the emphasis on its certain fulfillment!

In all my research, I have not come across any conclusive presentation that
decisively states what this vision actually is, but I will present 2 of the best views, and
they somewhat relate to each other, namely, the centrality of faith.

(Slide 10)

Interpretation #1

The vision is the series of woes in 2:6-19. Recall what God said to Habakkuk in
1:11- our so-called first oasis: But they will be held guilty, they whose strength is their
god. What does 2:4-5 describe? An arrogant, haughty and proud nation whose strength is
their god. Now judgment is coming on them.
 Now here is the question: What significance does the “But the righteous shall live
by faith” play in this interpretation? Let’s continue our deliberation with this
interpretation by contemplating the….

(Slide 11)

3. Proud compared with the righteous (2:4-5)

Always remember the context when you read Habakkuk. Never lose the
awareness of two things: (1) the sordid moral depravity of the nation of Israel, and (2)
and the vicious wickedness of that proud nation of Babylon that is about to invade Israel.
There is the temptation for all believers to take a look at the other side of the fence and
see how green the grass is on the luscious resorts of the wicked. Look what Asaph says in
Psalm 73:2-4.

(Slide 12)

But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
For I envied the proud
when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong. Psalm 73:2-4 (NLT)

David addresses the same issue in Psalm 37, except his is more of an ecnouragement:

(Slide 13)

Be still in the presence of the LORD,

and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

And likewise God gives a strong warning to Habakkuk. “Habakkuk, let me tell
you about this proud nation called Babylon. Their desires, or let Me put it this way,
Habakkuk, that which makes them pant is not right! However, Habakkuk, you are
righteous and you will live by faith. Now back to these Babylonians. Habakkuk, they are
certainly a wealthy nation, but let Me tell you something about wealth. This panting after
wealth, Habakkuk, is a never ending pursuit. Do you think those people in Babylon are
content and satisfied? Not a chance, man! Wealth completely betrays a person. In fact,
the greedy, arrogant, haughty person will not endure. Even though he sweeps up the
whole world and conquers all the nations, his appetite will not be satisfied. Habakkuk,
these people will not live- they will perish. You want to know who will live, Habakkuk?
The righteous will live and they will live because of their faith. And therein, I believe,
lies the reason why this “faith” phrase is punctuated in the midst of the “arrogant”. It
stands in blatant, brilliant and beautiful contrast to the sordid lot of the haughty.
 And this is followed by the vision of woes that will come upon this wicked nation
called Babylon, the nation that will eventually crush Israel, but who will eventually be
conquered, defeated and forever destroyed by other nations.

How does this relate to faith? Are you, my dear fellow Brother or Sister in Christ, are we
at times tempted to look over at the unbelievers and envy their life of ease? Do we
sometimes question whether keeping the faith is really worth it? Are we really convinced
that the wicked will really get judged, and pay for their wickedness? Are we tempted to
scrap the whole Christian life because it just doesn’t seem to make sense- we struggle and
the wicked are at ease? Is the gospel really worth embracing? This passage is for us. If we
are struggling with faith issues, we need a strong dose of Vitamin Habakkuk!

The final part of this interpretation of the vision is the…

(Slide 14)

4. Four woes to the nation (2:6-19)

I will say virtually nothing about these woes except that they spell the utter
demise of the Babylonians. Remember the little phrase in 1:7- “their justice and authority
originate with themselves”? It reeks with autonomy, arrogance, haughtiness, pride, greed,
and blatant disregard for anyone else- secular humanism in full Spring bloom. Remember
the little phrase in 1:11- “But they will be held guilty”? It’s payback time, and in the end,
the nation is wiped out. Every woe is a direct assault on the very arrogant, proud and
stark haughtiness of this nation. They are done! Never do we hear about Babylon again!

But here is the question that brings us back to point 3: Do you believe this will
happen, Habakkuk? Habakkuk, does you faith have the muscle to get you through this
tough time of utter lawlessness in Israel and the impending chaos of the Chaldean
invasion, and can you see what I have promised to eventually do in its time?

(Slide 15)

Interpretation #2

For this interpretation we must consider Paul’s words in Romans 1:16-17:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for
Salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to
Greek. For in it the righteous of God is revealed from faith to
Faith; as it is written, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE
BY FAITH (quote from Habakkuk 2:4) Romans 1:16-17 [NASB]

Why does Paul quote Habakkuk 2:4? Consider this: Paul is not prooftexting Hab.
2:4- he is going beyond the verse and indeed he is taking the context of the entire book of
Habakkuk in his quote. As my underline assumes, the point of concern here is that Paul
has every reason to be ashamed of the gospel. After, things have totally been turned
upside down. To whom did the revelation of God, the gospel, first come to? The nation of
Israel. Well, Israel is displaced, the nation has fallen under the rule of the Romans, and all
vignettes of such a nation existing are a distant memory. What has happened in the mean
time is those wicked, uncircumcised Gentiles have accepted the Jewish gospel. And Paul
could rightly ask, God, Your righteousness, Your character is called to court! It doesn’t
make sense. The gospel message has failed! That is what Paul could think!

But this is not the first time God’s apparently weird ways have been called into
question.

And this is where Habakkuk comes in. It all starts with his lament in 1:2-4. Israel,
the people of the Law, the Law of God, YAHWEH, are living a hideously wicked life.
And Habakkuk’s first lament is, “God, look at the dreadful moral condition of Your
people. God, the Law is completely ineffective. In fact, the Law is paralyzed!
Conclusion: God, Your Law is completely ineffective in restraining wickedness.

What an accusation? What will God do with this strong affront to His Law?

Still with me? You understand what I’ve tried to explain. Something has gone in a
way that both Paul and Habakkuk see has having gone sideways. And it centers squarely
on the Law being called into question. Ok, let’s move on.

(Slide 16)

Now consider Joshua 8:32.

And he (Joshua) wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses,
which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel. Joshua 8:32 (NASB)

The context of this verse is the defeat of the Israelites at Ai due to Achan’s sin.
The sin is dealt with, Achan is judged, the nation is righteous again, and they go and
destroy Ai. After their victory, Joshua writes the Law on stones.

If you check out Joshua 24:25-26, a similar covenant renewal takes place, and
again the words of the Law are written on a large stone. It is a potent method to reaffirm
the absolute, unequivocal, unabashed, uncontested authority of the Law.
And that brings us back to Habakkuk. And what God is asking Habakkuk to do is
to write out the law on tablets so that everyone will be able to clearly read what has been
written. It is, like after the days of Ai in Joshua, a call to reaffirm the authority of the
Law. It is as if God is saying, Habakkuk, no matter how disturbing, how
incomprehensible, how distorted My workings may be, it is all totally consistent with My
covenant with you, and to show My sincerity, I am now renewing My covenantal
relationship with you. In plain elementary language: Habakkuk, Paul, I AM FAITHFUL!
 This interpretation of the vision as being the recording of the Law makes perfect
sense when we further consider that the word for “the righteous” in 2:4 does not mean
those justified judiciously by a court of law, but those who are faithful to the covenant.
The idea is faithfulness, not justification! Living faithfully in obedience to the covenant,
to the Word of God.

And that, my friends, takes faith.

Please don’t go here: Don’t go and say this is works based salvation. It’s none of
the kind. Not even close.

This is about faithful living when it seems to make no sense to live faithfully. And
that, dear friends, is what both interpretations are all about. Faith does not ask us to
understand everything. Faith demands obedience. Faith may not comprehend what God
says, but faith acts on what God has said. Faith never demands obedience that requires
the so-called “blind faith.” There is no such thing as blind faith. That is like God asking
you to have faith in something He has not revealed about Himself. The only thing we can
place our faith in is something God has revealed in Scripture! When a response of faith is
required, the demand always has a basis, always has a source, always has something that
we have in writing in the Bible- always!! There is no such thing as blind-faith. If blind
faith means believing something we don’t understand, we have just defined faith- not
blind fiath! Habakkuk and Paul, and us, we are all commanded to live in obedience to the
Word of God. We are asked to believe in Jesus. You and I have not seen Jesus, and we
have no proof that His word is true. That’s exactly correct! We cannot take the Bible,
place it in a laboratory of some kind, and give resounding PROOF that will convince the
most stiff necked atheist that Jesus is the Son of God. If we could it would be called
coercion, not faith. Oh, we have evidence for it, and that must be accepted by faith. Faith
is always based on evidence, even if the evidence eclipses our intellect. But faith is never
blind! Never!

And that is the importance of this neat, little poetic construction.

(Slide 17)

11 For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

22 It hastens [lit. pants] toward the goal, and it will not fail.
31Though it tarries, wait for it;
42 For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

God is presently a definite certainty. He is, in effect, making faith easier. It will
happen, Habakkuk. It will come! Have faith! Believe! I am telling you, IT WILL COME
TO PASS!

Two points in closing

You have been very patient. You have been a delightful audience. I applaud you for your
attention. This has not been an easy subject to listen to or to prepare. Did I explain it
properly? Do you think you got what I was trying to get you to get?

(Slide 18)

1. The third oasis

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge

Of the glory of the LORD
As the waters cover the sea Habakkuk 2:14

Do we ever feel like Habakkuk, or Paul? Do we not tell others about the gospel
because we don’t think it has any power anymore? Do we ever read the Word and we just
cannot believe the promises God has for us? Does it ever seem the Word is just not
accomplishing its work in our lives? the lives of our wayward children? the lives of our
neighbors whom we pray for so much? Does it ever seem God just doesn’t make any
sense?
The message of Habakkuk is this- just be faithful, just be faithful! Believe! Obey!
It may not make sense, but please, just remain faithful to the Word of God. Yes, it takes
faith, but let’s immerse ourselves in the Word, and by doing so our faith will get
superhuman strong, and we will grow in our faithfulness!

(Slide 19)

2. The fourth oasis

"What good is an idol carved by man,

or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation—
a god that can't even talk!
What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,
'Wake up and save us!'
To speechless stone images you say,
'Rise up and teach us!'
Can an idol tell you what to do?
They may be overlaid with gold and silver,
but they are lifeless inside.
But the LORD is in his holy Temple.
Let all the earth be silent before him."
Habakkuk 2:18-20 (NLT)
 Dear friends, are we troubled by the ease of the wicked? Are we thinking the
Christian life is too demanding, and it would be so much easier to just live for ourselves?
Do we envy the apparent prosperity of the sinners? Are we embarrassed at our plight as
Christians, speaking a message that seems like a far-fetched divine fairy tale! Do we ever
wonder whether that crooked sinner who screwed our business of $100,000 will ever get
her judgment?
Dear Christian friend, let’s just be faithful. Yes, it may all seem unfair. It may all
seem entirely void of logic. Yes, the world will scoff at us. Yes it takes faith, yes it is
hard, yes it takes faith, but let’s remain faithful to the Word of God. because the LORD
is in His Holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.