2nd Bible Study: The Prophet’s Perplexity

Tomorrow’s Study examines some difficult questions. Issues that have been studied for centuries. “Why do the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper? Shall the wicked prevail over the righteous? Why does God allow the wicked to continue to have their way?” Our text of Study comes from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah. While Judah had been more faithful than the northern kingdom of Israel, it still had fallen into wickedness. God was going to use a heathen nation to chastise His people because of their disobedience.

In Habakkuk chapter 1, the prophet complains that his own nation (God’s chosen people) would be destroyed for its wickedness, by a nation (Chaldeans) that was more wicked than they. Habakkuk could not see the justice of such a thing. God’s answer was that He had a purpose in the terrorizing conquests of the Chaldean army. In chapter 2, the prophet acknowledges that Judah deserved punishment for its sins, but he wanted more explanation. God responds that the Chaldean power, in its turn, would be destroyed and that God’s people would fill the earth.

It is difficult sometimes to wait when God is silent. However, we need to have trust that justice delayed is not justice forgotten. Just because God did not punish the wicked immediately, did not mean that He would be silent forever. The commentator Dr. Adam Clarke wrote: “When judgment doth not proceed from the seat of judgment upon the earth, it will infallibly go forth from the throne of judgment in heaven.” In chapter 2 verse 14, it states: “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” God is telling us that while evil may abound for a while, it will not prevail. Note the verse says that the earth, not heaven, shall be filled. While things may look bad, evil may be abounding, but we have faith and confidence that our God will not allow evil to win forever. There is a time where righteousness shall be exalted.

We are to stand on the promises, “We shall not die (1:12).” God is holy and pure and will not let sin prevail or go unpunished. No matter what the world looks like, God is not shaken. He is not confused and He has not lost any of His power! Shall wicked forever rule? No; in due time God will publish His reply, but the full end is not here yet.

Final thoughts;
1. God allows the righteous to suffer and the wicked to prevail but only temporarily.
2. The postponement of God’s justice is not the final word.
3. God will not allow wrong to rule forever.
4. The earth will see the results of God’s hand of judgment on the wicked because God’s knowledge of the glory will fill it.
5. No matter what circumstances may look like, we are to look to the Word of God and be comforted. God will not abandon us. He will see us through.

Next week, chapter 3: The Prophet’s Praise.
Don’t forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for this week, one of the stories is from Rev. Wayne Stracener. I knew Bro. Stracener personally. He was a testimony to holy living for Jesus Christ.