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Habakkuk 3
is Habakkuk’s response to God. I find it
interesting to see how the prophet responds when he turns to God. Habakkuk understands. He even praises God! He recognizes the omnipotence and wisdom of
God and His position.
I love what
Habakkuk says. He will be patient in waiting
for vindication. Though the famine
pursues the land and the herds are diminished, he will rejoice. God is his savior and he knows it. Hearing from God does not change his opinion;
it bolsters it.
I also love what
Habakkuk says about God. The prophet has
a different perspective of God than is typical.
The prophet sees God the whole way around, not just from a preferred perspective. Most people see the God that comforts them
however they need to be comforted; the prophet can look to God and enjoy facets
that might disturb others.
For example,
look at how Habakkuk describes God’s coming.
We get the normal expressions about God’s splendor being like the coming
of the sun. His glory covers the
heavens. His power flashed forth. Habakkuk also says that plague went before Him
and pestilence followed. These are
unusual descriptions of God, and certainly they are not the images that comfort
most people! However, they are
true. God often uses pestilence and
plague when going about His business. With
the God of glory is also a God who controls and utilizes pestilence.
Habakkuk
hears of the Lord and his heart pounds.
His lips quiver. Many could
relate to these expressions. Habakkuk
goes further. He says that decay creeps
into his bones and his legs quiver. So
often we think that God is a welcoming grandfatherly figure. He is also the one who brings pestilence and
plague within His judgment. Habakkuk
recognizes the full spectrum of God, not just the things that we find pleasing.
That is why
I love reading the prophets. Their
perspective is often so refreshing!
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