Nahum & Habakkuk
Assyria & Babylon

This second of the Hallel Praise Psalms (previous post) recalls God's deliverance of the nation of Israel from Egypt (sea) into the Promised Land (Jordan), so He could dwell in the midst of them (sanctuary) and rule over them (dominion).

The first verses are a general exhortation to bless and praise the name of Yahweh, followed by reasons to do so. The first are related to His incomparable person, and then His interactions with His people's personal needs, through which His name is revealed.

God is not only the supreme being, glorious and high above all, but he comes to the aid of His people, reversing their fortunes from poor and needy, in pain, to exalted and prosperous, in joy. The next psalm considers His work on behalf of the nation.

Part of wisdom is choosing the right objective, as in knowing what is appropriate. Fish and visitors stink after three days, so don't overstay your welcome, because absence should make the heart grow fonder. Being other-centered means considering the effects of your actions and words on others. Betraying a neighbor with malicious gossip or slander is like attempted murder. Friends look out for each other's interests, and protect each other's reputations.

Trusting an unfaithful person is inappropriate, and will result in pain, so consider carefully the trustworthiness of someone before you depend upon them. Also consider when is the appropriate time to cheer up someone who is grieving. Otherwise, your love will be mistaken for hate.

Our natural impulse is to want to pulverize our enemy and take vengeance upon them for the harm they've done to us. But that would be inappropriate, because it usurps God's role, and sets ourselves up for judgment. Instead, kill them with kindness (or at least maim them a little), by responding in a way that meets their needs, you vindicate your cause. Then the door is open for God to punish them and uphold your innocence. He can do a much better job of executing vengeance than we can.

In the midst of a terrifying portrait of God toward His enemies, Nahum delivers one of the foundational truths about God in verse 7. He is good (as in infinitely), and knows/protects those who take refuge in Him. It doesn't matter how mighty the adversary is, God is greater. He will destroy Judah's enemies, and give His people peace so they can worship Him. Just as God promises destruction of Nineveh, He promises freedom to Judah.

The Babylonians laid siege for two years to no avail. Two tributaries of the Tigris River ran through the city. Ancient historians indicate that heavy rains broke the gates/dams and caused flooding (2:6) which breached the walls, and the Babylonians took the spoil and burnt the city. The lion was the symbol of the Assyrians, but their den was no more. The destruction of the city was so great that it wasn't “rediscovered” until 1845-49.

Thebes in Egypt was a mighty city that was destroyed as would be Nineveh. Regardless of their efforts, God's purpose to judge for their violence and cruelty (first and last verses) would occur. Then the victims of the Assyrians cruelty would rejoice. The property that followed their repentance under Jonah's one line prophecy led to cruel oppression of others rather than an enduring revival.

God responds to Habakkuk's query of how long will he let evil rule in Judah, with a disturbing answer. God has plans to use the Chaldeans to judge Judah. Big bad Babylon (capital of the Chaldeans) ate nations and kings and then picked their teeth with the bones of princes. No one could withstand them. But in verse 11 God indicates that He will hold them guilty for worshiping their own strength (a form of pride).

Habukkuk's rebuttal of God's choice of Babylon as enforcer is refuted in the rest of the book, but most don't read things in context. As a result there is a slew of bad theology (usually accompanying an equally bad interpretation of Jesus' quote of Psalm 22 on the cross q.v.) that says God is too pure to look upon evil, much less use Babylon. Noting the history of Israel God not only looks upon it, but uses it. Remember, He and Satan have tea every Tuesday at 4PM (see Job 1-2). Given the state of humanity, and being both omniscient and omnipresent also would give God few other places to look. The important thing to remember is that God will always judge evil, but uses it to accomplish higher purposes. So the evil boss, co-worker, relative, etc, will get what's coming to them, but in the meantime, God might be using them to accomplishes His purposes in your life, be they corrective or developmental.

While waiting for God's answer, Habakkuk gets some great verses in response in addition to the response that God knows what He is doing, and will judge those He uses to judge, with proportional justice.

“the just will live by his faith/faithfulness” is quoted in Romans 1:17 to demonstrate that those who are already just (justified) will continue to live by exercising faith/trust or demonstrating faithfulness according to God's revelation. In Habakkuk's day, Babylon was the puffed up proud one who would die (be deprived of dominion), but the righteous or just people would live (survive and thrive) by trusting in God's revelation (and living in faithfulness to Him). God would decisively judge sin in Judah and Babylon, but the faithful would be spared.

“the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh” Verse 13 indicates that it is God's plan that the wicked prosper only to be destroyed. God had said that He would raise up Babylon to judge all the earth, and then judge Babylon to demonstrate that He is the God in charge of the world (His glory), and when that happened, all would know that Yahweh is God, the whole earth would be filled with knowledge of His glory/workings. Daniel prophesied of the rise of the Medes and Persians who had been conquered by Babylon, to destroy Babylon. For anyone who looked, it would be clear that God was doing it.

“But Yahweh is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him!" In contrast to the pagan idols, Yahweh dwelt in a holy temple, separate from all false gods, where He was praised for the reality of answered prayer. Through His intervention on behalf of His people, He had demonstrated His holy character and sovereignty, where none should question it, but be silent before Him.

In this great psalm of praise, Habakkuk no longer questions God, but acknowledges His wisdom and glory. He asks God to remember hesed to His people when He judges both physical and spiritual foes. The last verses yield an important lesson as Habakkuk awaits the judgment that will destroy his way of life and nation. Though all that gives pleasure and prosperity will be destroyed, Habakkuk will find joy in God alone, not just in His provision. He will also rejoice in God's strength that enables him to stand on on the mountain tops (a whole lot better view than the slough of despond). Habakkuk's decision to believe and trust God's revelation turned his dismay into delight.