April 18, 2013

From Gary... Bible Reading, Apr. 18 (World English Bible Text)


Apr. 18
Numbers 27, 28
Num 27:1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
Num 27:2 They stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
Num 27:3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.
Num 27:4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.
Num 27:5 Moses brought their cause before Yahweh.
Num 27:6 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 27:7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: you shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers; and you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
Num 27:8 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
Num 27:9 If he have no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
Num 27:10 If he have no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers.
Num 27:11 If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be to the children of Israel a statute and ordinance, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Num 27:12 Yahweh said to Moses, Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.
Num 27:13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered;
Num 27:14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
Num 27:15 Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying,
Num 27:16 Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
Num 27:17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Yahweh not be as sheep which have no shepherd.
Num 27:18 Yahweh said to Moses, Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
Num 27:19 and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
Num 27:20 You shall put of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
Num 27:21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Num 27:22 Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Num 27:23 and he laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
Num 28:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 28:2 Command the children of Israel, and tell them, My offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to me, you shall observe to offer to me in their due season.
Num 28:3 You shall tell them, This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Yahweh: male lambs a year old without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
Num 28:4 You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening;
Num 28:5 with the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil.
Num 28:6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Num 28:7 Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh in the holy place.
Num 28:8 The other lamb you shall offer at evening: as the meal offering of the morning, and as the drink offering of it, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Num 28:9 On the Sabbath day two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and the drink offering of it:
Num 28:10 this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it.
Num 28:11 In the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;
Num 28:12 and three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram;
Num 28:13 and a tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb; for a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Num 28:14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
Num 28:15 One male goat for a sin offering to Yahweh; it shall be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it.
Num 28:16 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Yahweh's Passover.
Num 28:17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
Num 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work;
Num 28:19 but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, and seven male lambs a year old; they shall be to you without blemish;
Num 28:20 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: you shall offer three tenth parts for a bull, and two tenth parts for the ram.
Num 28:21 You shall offer a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs;
Num 28:22 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you.
Num 28:23 You shall offer these besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.
Num 28:24 After this manner you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh: it shall be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it.
Num 28:25 On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work.
Num 28:26 Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Yahweh in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work;
Num 28:27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old;
Num 28:28 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenth parts for each bull, two tenth parts for the one ram,
Num 28:29 a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs;
Num 28:30 one male goat, to make atonement for you.
Num 28:31 Besides the continual burnt offering, and the meal offering of it, you shall offer them (they shall be to you without blemish), and their drink offerings. 




Apr. 18, 19
Luke 11

Luk 11:1 It happened, that when he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples."
Luk 11:2 He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luk 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' "
Luk 11:5 He said to them, "Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
Luk 11:6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,'
Luk 11:7 and he from within will answer and say, 'Don't bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give it to you'?
Luk 11:8 I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.
Luk 11:9 "I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.
Luk 11:10 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Luk 11:11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won't give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?
Luk 11:12 Or if he asks for an egg, he won't give him a scorpion, will he?
Luk 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
Luk 11:14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. It happened, when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
Luk 11:15 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."
Luk 11:16 Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven.
Luk 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls.
Luk 11:18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Luk 11:19 But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges.
Luk 11:20 But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come to you.
Luk 11:21 "When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.
Luk 11:22 But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.
Luk 11:23 "He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn't gather with me scatters.
Luk 11:24 The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, 'I will turn back to my house from which I came out.'
Luk 11:25 When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order.
Luk 11:26 Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first."
Luk 11:27 It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!"
Luk 11:28 But he said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it."
Luk 11:29 When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet.
Luk 11:30 For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will also the Son of Man be to this generation.
Luk 11:31 The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.
Luk 11:32 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.
Luk 11:33 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light.
Luk 11:34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
Luk 11:35 Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn't darkness.
Luk 11:36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light."
Luk 11:37 Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in, and sat at the table.
Luk 11:38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner.
Luk 11:39 The Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
Luk 11:40 You foolish ones, didn't he who made the outside make the inside also?
Luk 11:41 But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.
Luk 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
Luk 11:43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Luk 11:44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don't know it."
Luk 11:45 One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you insult us also."
Luk 11:46 He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won't even lift one finger to help carry those burdens.
Luk 11:47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luk 11:48 So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs.
Luk 11:49 Therefore also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute,
Luk 11:50 that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luk 11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.' Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.
Luk 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn't enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered."
Luk 11:53 As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out of him;
Luk 11:54 lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch him in something he might say, that they might accuse him.

From Gary V. Womack... Habakkuk (four parts)



HABAKKUK
The Just Shall Live By Faith
Part 1


Habakkuk = "Embrace" Luther said, "His name speaks as one who took his nation to his heart, comforted it and held it up, as one embraces and presses to his bosom a poor weeping child, calming and consoling it with good hope - if God so will."

Habakkuk was among the last of the prophets prior to Judah's captivity.
Other prophets around this time were Jeremiah, Zephaniah & Nahum.

Habakkuk's activity dated around 612-606 BC
Between the fall of Nineveh and the carrying away of the first captives to Babylon.

HISTORY

633 BC (?) After Assurbanipal's death, Assyria began to disintegrate

625 BC Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, declared independence from Assyria

614 BC The Medes captured the city of Ashur, a chief city of Assyria

612 BC Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar & general of his army, (with the help of the Medes) completely destroyed Nineveh

This was in fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy

Nahum 1:1-3a, 14; 2:8-9; 3:1-7 Nineveh's complete destruction was certain

After this, Assyria's army fled to Haran (just East of Carchemish)

609 BC Nebuchadnezzar reorganized his troops and went to Haran to finish off the remaining Assyrian army (which he accomplished)

Nahum 3:18-19 Assyria was removed from God's sight - for their wickedness

609 BC In the mean time - Pharoah-Necho, king of Egypt, came up to help Assyria (at Haran / Carchemish).

But Josiah, king of Judah, tried to prevent them by placing his troops as a blockade in their path at Megiddo:

2 Sam. 35:20-24 Josiah dies in battle

For almost 4 years, Egypt dominated Judah

After 3 months as king, Pharoah-Necho removed Jehoahaz as king and put his brother, Eliakim on the throne & changed his name to Jehoiakim (2 Kgs. 23:31-ff)

606 BC Nebuchadnezzar would carry away first captives to Babylon

605 BC Nebuchadnezzar would defeat Pharaoh-Necho at Carchemish

This was the time of turmoil and unrest that Habakkuk found himself in.

Habakkuk prophesied on the heels of Nahum about 15-20 years after Zephaniah

Zeph. 1:4-9 In the days of Josiah - Judah's wickedness was ripe with idolatry, abandoning God, taking up the practices of their ungodly neighbors, and exercising violence & deceit - Their doom was at hand.

Isa. 1:1-6 In the days of Azariah (Uzziahthru Hezekiah - Judah's sinful nature was leading them to their doom.

Jer. 1:14-16 In the days of Josiah - Calamity would come out of the north because of Judah's unfaithfulness.

Habakkuk questions God - Habakkuk had been praying to God about this, but it appeared that He was not listening.

Hab. 1:1-4 God works thru His Law to influence man's will to obey Him. If His law is rejected - God's word is made ineffective.

Isa. 55:10-11 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, (11) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."


Since God does not interfere with man's will to choose,
He may influence man's will by bringing judgment on man.

Why had God not heard Habakkuk's prayers & responded with
judgment ?

First we must understand who God is - that He can exercise such wisdom:

Isa. 40:12-ff God is in control of all of His creation - the nations & rulers

GOD'S REPLY:

Hab. 1:5-6 God would work a work "in your days " = imminent A work that man would never have thought of on his own.

Isa. 55:8-9 " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Hab. 1:7-10 God would use a wicked nation in judgment against Judah Daniel's reply to God when God revealed Pharoah's dream to him:

Dan. 2:20-23 "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. (21) And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (22) He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. (23) I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have not made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king's demand."

Hab. 1:11 The wicked people God would use to take Judah away would do so by the will of God, but they would not attribute their
victory to Him, but to their own god.

INVITATION

2 Pet. 3:1-4, 10-15 God has warned us of sudden destruction
We should be diligent, prepared -
His longsuffering is salvation



HABAKKUK
The Just Shall Live By Faith
Part 2

Habakkuk's first question to God was, "O Lord, how long shall I cry and you will not hear." God's reply was, "Be utterly astonished! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you." Then He said, "For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans." (Hab. 1:5-11)

Habakkuk questions God again:

Hab. 1:12-13 How could the infinite and holy God use such a wicked nation as an instrument of punishment against His own people?

God had already used Assyria to remove Israel from God's sight During the period of the judges, God used the surrounding wicked nations to oppress His people in an effort to cause them to repent:

Oppressor Years Judges
Mesopotamians 8 years Othniel
Moabites
Ammorites } 18 years Ehud
Amalekites

Philistines Shamgar

Canaanites 20 years Deborah, Barak

Midianites
Amalekites } 7 years Gideon

Ammonites 18 years Jephthah

Philistines________ 40 years Samson
Total years 111 years during about a 400 years period

Hab. 1:13 "...Why do You look on those who deal treacherously?..."

How could he harmonize God's holiness while using an evil nation against His own people?

Hab. 1:12 Habakkuk answered his own question: Because You are God!
calling Him - "O Rock"
"...O Lord [Yahweh my God [Elohiym ] , my Holy One?"
[Yehovah ] English rendering of [YHWH, Yahweh ] or [adoni ] as
pronounced by Jews = erroniously translated "Lord" = "Self-existentOne"

Psm. 90:1-2 "Lord [Adoni ],You have been our dwelling place[refuge] in all generations. (2) Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." 
[El ] (Heb.) = "To be strong" - or - "in front of"
Gen. 17:1 "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.' " [El Shaddai ] (Heb.) = "God Almighty"

Gen. 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [Elohiym ] (Heb.) = plural God. Though plural in form, when referring to the supreme God, it is used in the singular.

Isa. 46:9-10 "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, (10) Declaring the end from he beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.' "

Isa. 55:8-9 " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Paul called upon those in Rome to consider such things:

Rom. 11:22 "...consider the goodness and severity of God"

Paul reveals the "BIG PICTURE" that Habakkuk could not see:

Rom. 11:1, 11-14 What appeared hopeless for Israel resulted in salvation to all - both Jew & Gentile.

Rom. 11:28-ff The Jew's rejection of God became a blessing to the Gentiles - conversely - The acceptance of God by the Gentiles would become a blessing to the Jews who would, as a result, obey God also. Who but God could design such a plan?

INVITATION

Another lesson for us to learn - Who we are & Why we are:

Hab. 1:13 "...when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?" (Is he speaking of all of Judah or righteous remnant?)

Habakkuk's words contrast his own judgment fromGod's Righteousness is not determined on a sliding scale.

What about when we say of religious error:
"There's not a whole lot of difference between us."

When we use ourselves as a standard for others to follow -beware!

2 Cor. 10:12 "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they,measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not
wise."

Serving God is not a game of HORSESHOES !!!

Mt. 11:20-24 More tolerable in the day of judgment for some than others. Those with greater opportunity to hear & believe have a
greater responsibility to obey.

God's word will be the standard of judgment:

Jn. 12:47-48 (Jesus) "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. (48) He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day."




HABAKKUK
The Just Shall Live by Faith
Part 3
A Review

Hab. 1:1-4 How long will He allow Judah's wickedness to go unpunished?

Hab. 1:5-11 God's reply: He is raising up the Chaldeans as a rod of judgment

Hab. 1:12 - 2:1 How can the righteous God punish His people with a nation more wicked than them?

We considered who God is:

1. By looking at how He had done so in the past - during Judges

2. By His power & authority as God (Yahweh - Adoni - El Shaddai)

3. By considering the goodness & severity of God (Rom. 11:22)
His mercy, love & justice all point toward man's ultimate good.

Hab. 2:1 Habakkuk waits for: 1. God's reply 2. How he will answer.

Hab. 2:2 Write the vision: As on a billboard that fast-moving traffic will see.
(Conspicuous)

Hab. 2:3 The prophecy will come to pass - but not right awayEXPECT it !!!

2 Pet. 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

Hab. 2:4 Compare the proud: They are not honest & upright, but arrogant (Babylonthe just: They live by faith - in submission to Him who promises. (Judah)

"Just" dikaios = "Was first used of persons observant of dike, custom, rule, right, especially in the fulfillment of duties towards gods and men, and of things that were in accordance with right. The Eng. word "righteous" was formerly spelt 'rightwise', i.e., (in a) straight way. In the N.T. it denotes righteous, a state of being right, or right conduct." Often translated 'RIGHTEOUS'

"The righteous shall live by faith"

2 Cor. 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight." Seeing is believing? No!

How we walk: Looking beyond the visible - not by what we can see

Heb. 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Heb. 11:6-14 Noah & Abraham: walked by faith, looking beyondtoday

Rom. 1:16-17 quotes this verse: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (17) For in it [the gospel ] the righteousness [dikaiosune] of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,'The just shall live by faith.' "

"from faith to faith" God is the divine source of faith that leads to faith.

Rom. 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."

For Habakkuk - he & his people must live through a trying time without
being shaken in their faith. They must look beyond the present.

Hab. 2:5-8 Babylon is rebuked for her wickedness.

Hab. 2:9-19 4 "woes" pronounced on Babylon

vs. 9 They covet evil.

vs. 12 They build towns with bloodshed.

vs. 15-16 They make their victims drunk in order to take advantage of them - but it would be turned around on them.

vs. 18-19 They trust in their idols - but this would prove futile

Their gods v/s our God

Psm. 115:2-8 "Why should the Gentiles say, 'So where is theirGod?' (3) But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. (4) Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. (5)They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes hey have, but they do not see; (6) They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; (7) They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. (8) Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them."

Isa. 40:18-26 The foolishness of idolatry - & its hopelessness

Hab. 2:20 The Lord is in His holy temple - keep silent before Him. (Awe)

Our faith is grounded in the knowledge that He is Lord [Adoni]He is in His holy temple beyond the power & reach of any enemy.

Rev. 4:1- 5:ff The heavenly vision - Worthy is the Lamb to open the scroll.

INVITATION
Mt. 28:18-19 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' "





HABAKKUK
The Just Shall Live by Faith
Part 4

Lesson on how Trust in God can overcome in time of distress. How we can find reason for rejoicing in the midst of sorrow.

Hab. 1:2-4 Habakkuk questioned why God had not done anything about the sins of His people.

Hab. 1:5-8 God responds by foretelling His plan to raise up the Chaldeans against His people.

This prompts Habakkuk's next question:

Hab. 1:12-13 How could a Holy God, overlook a wicked nation & allow it to devour a people more righteous than they?

Hab. 2:1 Habakkuk waited for the Lord's answer.

Before giving him the details of the vision:

Hab. 2:4 God assures Habakkuk that the proud (Babylon) are not upright, "But the just shall live by his faith." (remnant of Judah)

Chapter 2 foretells the punishment that awaits Babylon for their sinfulness

God concludes the vision with this assurance to Habakkuk:

Hab. 2:20 "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him."

Chapter 3 is a prayer by Habakkuk set to music, in response to God's word

Hab. 3:2 Habakkuk had been afraid, but now asks God to proceed with His plan - only asking for mercy in the face of Hiswrath.

Notice - The verb tenses: I have heard (present), & was afraid(past)

Habakkuk's dread of coming events is now overcome by trustto face them.

In vss. 3-15 Habakkuk paints a collage of Israel's history that demonstrate God's omnipotent power & unquestioned justiceas seen in past events

vss. 3-5 God came (out of Teman) out of the region of Mt Seir(Edom) to Mt. Sinai in great glory - Moses spoke of this:

Deut. 33:1-2 "Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. (2) And he said: 'The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand came a fiery law for them.'"

There is power in the midst of His glory.

His power was demonstrated in the pestilence brought upon Egypt.

vs. 6 God's authority is seen in His "measuring" the land of Canaan - assigning the allotments of the land to His people. ALSO elsewhere, it refers to His creative design:

Isa. 40:12 "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?"

His power is described over all the earth as all nature bows to Him:

Nahum 1:3-6 "...The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. (4) He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. (5) The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it. (6) Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him."

Perhaps "mountains" & "hills" refer to kings of the land He overthrew to make way for the entry of His people in Canaan

God's ways are "everlasting" - Unchanging

Psm. 102:25-27 "Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. (26) They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. (27) But You are he same, and Your years will have no end."

The same can be said of Christ:

Heb. 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
vs.7 Surrounding nations not of those displaced feared before Him as His people took possession of the land of Canaan.
The nations tremble before Him:

Isa. 40:15-17 "Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. (16) And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. (17) All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless."

vss. 8-9 God's anger was not against the waters, but they were instruments in His hand, used against His enemies.

Reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea against Pharoah's army. None can escape the wrath of God in His omnipotent power as He
controls all nature and the rising & falling of nations:

Deut. 32:39-42 "Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I would and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. (40) For I raise My hand to heaven, and say, 'As I live forever, (41) If I whet My glittering sword, and My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me. (42) I will make My arrows drunk with blood, and My sword shall devour flesh, with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.' "

vs. 10 Reminiscent of the great flood & God's wrath on the wicked while delivering the faithful in the ark upon the waters.

vs. 11 Reminiscent of the day Joshua defended Gibeon in battle against the king of Jerusalem and 9 other kings including the Amorites. Joshua prayed and the sun stood still at the command of God.
(Josh. 10:12-15)

vss. 12-13 Reminiscent of Israel's entry & march through Canaan as kings fell before Him

"He went forth for salvation" - God's purpose behind His actions always looks to the salvation of a remnant who remain faithful.

Note - JUDGMENT against one (wicked), is SALVATION for another

vss. 14-15 "Thrust through with his own arrows" Manyexamples, but:

Reminiscent of Gideon's army surrounding the Midianites, breaking their pitchers and yelling. The Midianites killed each other. (Judg. 7:20-22)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that Habakkuk remembers how God in the past had come to the defense of His people, his trust in God buoys his faith much as in:

Psm. 77:1-3, 10-ff A remembrance of God's deliverance at the Red Sea.

Listen to the assurance God gave through Isaiah regarding the final outcome of Babylon

Isa. 41:8-13 "Fear not, I will help you."


vs. 16 Notice the past tense in this verse. Before, he had dread----

Yet, if there is still any dread of what must come, he accepts it.

Such dread is like: A family huddled in a cellar before the storm 11. A soldier before the order to "charge". vs. 17 If every means of physical sustenance is removed:

Mt. 6:25-34 Trust in God relieves anxiety for our daily needs.

vs. 18 "Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord"

Isa. 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Our reason for joy in the face of trials - The maturing of our faith

Jas. 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Pet. 1:3-12 In the midst of trials, Jesus Christ is our "living hope" - The end of our faith is the salvation of our souls

vs. 19 Swift as a deer who can run quickly for refuge.

"Walk on my high hills" = A symbol of victory & triumph.

From the peaks of victory - fear of our enemy below is dispelled

Rom. 8:31-ff "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through
Him who loved us."

INVITATION

Habakkuk calls Him - "The God of my salvation"

Our Rock is Jesus Christ - He is our good confession

Mt. 16:13-18 "Upon this rock I will build My church"

The Ethiopian eunuch made this same good confession:

Acts 8:36-38 "Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' (37) Then Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' (38) So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."