Habacuque 2

Habacuque 2

Meyer applies Habakkuk's actions to our life - The prophet had made his complaint in the preceding chapter; and now he climbs the watch-tower, much as the watchman did who waited for tidings of the battle between Joab and Absalom. He looks forth for God’s answer. This, to say the least, is respectful in our dealings with the Almighty. Too often we ask questions, and do not wait for replies; shoot prayer-arrows into the air, without stopping to see where they alight, or what quarry they strike. We are in too great a hurry, to take time and trouble for climbing the watch-tower, and awaiting the Divine reply. God still speaks to the waiting soul. Sometimes, there is a direct answer to its perplexity; at others, there is the assurance that the vision is yet for the appointed time, but that it is hastening towards the end. O long-waiting soul, dost thou hear those words? Thou hast been standing long upon the watch-tower. Hope has almost died; but the vision is panting in its haste to be fulfilled. If it tarry, wait for it; because it is already on the way. Every throb of the pendulum brings it nearer. The express train is hurrying towards thee, with its precious freight. How often God’s answers come, and find us gone! (Ed: Interesting thought. Cannot think of a specific Scriptural example however. I suggest that we need to Be a Berean when reading Meyer's comments in this last paragraph of the homily - Acts 17:11) We have waited for awhile, and, thinking there was no answer, we have gone our way; but as we have turned the first corner the post has come in. God’s ships touch at our wharves; but there is no one to unload them. His letters lie at the office; but no one calls for them. It is not enough to direct your prayer unto God; look up, and look out, until the blessing alights on your head. When we ask what is according to his will, we receive while we pray. (Our Daily Homily) In his introduction to Habakkuk 2 Richard Patterson has an interesting list of literary techniques utilized in this chapter… Other literary features command the reader’s attention: taunt songs/woe oracles (Hab 2:6–8, 9–11, 12–14, 15–17, 18–20), proverb (Hab 2:6), simile and metaphor (Hab 2:5, 7, 8, 15, 16), allegory (Hab 2:15–16), hendiadys (Hab 2:2, 3[?], 6[?]), metonymy and merismus (Hab 2:5), personification (Hab 2:5, 11), rhetorical question (Hab 2:13, 18), alliteration (Hab 2:15, 18), assonance (Hab 2:2, 6, 7), paronomasia (Hab 2:19), enjambment (Hab 2:8), gender-matched parallelism (Hab 2:5), and chiasmus (Hab 2:3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 16). Despite its difficulty of interpretation at places (e.g., Hab 2:4; see Excursus on Habakkuk 2:4), it is a masterpiece of prophetic literature. (Habakkuk: Verse by Verse Commentary) God’s Delays Read: Habakkuk 1:12–2:3 I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me. —Habakkuk 2:1 Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now. Postponements perplex me; deferrals daunt me. I’m baffled by God’s delays, wondering why and when. “How long, O Lord?” The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers as well, but God chose to take His time. “I will stand my watch . . . to see what [God] will say to me,” Habakkuk wrote (Hab 2:1). “The vision is yet for an appointed time,” God replied. “Wait for it; because it will surely come” (Hab 2:3). Faith never gives up. It knows that despite appearances, all is well. It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work, because it is sure of Him. “Each delay is perfectly fine, for we are within the safe hands of God,” said Madame Guyon (1648–1717). We too must learn to view each delay as if it were “perfectly fine.” Postponements are reasons to pray rather than grow anxious, impatient, and annoyed. They’re opportunities for God to build those imperishable but hard-to-acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength. God never says, “Wait awhile,” unless He is planning to do something in our situation—or in us. He waits to be gracious. So take heart! If God’s answer tarries, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.” Soon shall the morning gild The dark horizon rim, Thy heart’s desire shall be fulfilled— “Wait patiently for Him.” —Havergal God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.