Habacuque 2
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Habacuque 2
Vernon McGee quips that "Habakkuk says that he is going to the watchtower to wait. (When he says, “watchtower,” he doesn’t mean that he is going to read a magazine!)" John
Habacuque 2
McGee - In a walled city the watchman was the one who watched for enemies during the night; if he was faithful, the city was safe. But if he should betray the city or fail to sound the alarm when an enemy approached, the city was in deep trouble. So Habakkuk, God’s prophet, says that he is going to the watchtower to wait for a message from God. STANDING, STATIONED, WATCHING IMPLIES WAITING ON JEHOVAH The implication of Habakkuk taking his stand and stationing himself is that he is waiting (directly stated in Hab 2:3) on the Lord. This is never a futile or vain endeavor beloved, as Isaiah records… Yet those who wait (this implies trust - I wait because I believe He is true to His promise) for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31-note) What He will speak to me - The point is that Habakkuk expected God to speak and help clear up his dilemma. This brings up the important point that it is only by Divine revelation (more properly Divine illumination in our day when the canon of Scripture is closed to new Divine revelation) that "the genuine perplexities of God’s dealings with human beings be comprehended.” (Robertson) This declaration also reflects the prophet's willingness to submit to God’s Word. He said he wanted to hear from God and know how to reply when he was reproved. Dear Christian reader, is this how you respond when God gives you an answer that is not "easy to swallow," (cp Hab 1:17) so to speak?
Habacuque 2
McGee - The word reprove here is not the best translation of the original word: Habakkuk did not expect God to rebuke him or, to use the common colloquialism, “bawl him out” because he was questioning God’s ways. Habakkuk felt that God would give him the right answer so he would understand God’s ways. And he was willing to wait for it. (Listen to Habakkuk 2:1 Commentary) Reproved (08433) (tokeha from yakah = to argue, convince, convict, judge, reprove) is a noun which describes a rebuke, a correction, a chastening (Ps 73:14) a reproof (Ps 39:11) or an argument (Job 13:6, 23:4). The main idea of tokeha is correcting a wrong. The Lxx translates tokeha in most of the OT passages with elegchos (word study) which strictly speaking refers to trying or testing for the purpose of proving. In the negative sense it is an expression of strong disapproval (reproof, censure) as in 2Ti 3:16. Webster's definition of reproof = criticism for a fault; Blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; reprehension. NAS Usage: argument(1), arguments(2), chastened(1), rebuke(1), rebukes(2), reproof(14), reproofs(2), reproved(1). Tokeha - 24v in NAS - Job 13:6 ("argument" - Lxx = elegchos); Job 23:4 ("arguments" - Lxx = elegchos); Ps 38:14; 39:11; Ps 73:14; Pr 1:23, 25, 30; 3:11; 5:12; Pr 6:23; 10:17; 12:1; Pr 13:18; 15:5, 10, 31-32; 27:5; 29:1, 15; Ezek 5:15; 25:17; Hab 2:1. - There are 4 more verses in the KJV - 2Kgs 19:3 = rebuke Ps 149:7 = punishments Isa 37:3 = rebuke Hos 5:9 = judgment; Take a moment to study the uses of tokeha to get a sense of the value of reproof. Proverbs 1:23 "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:25 And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; Proverbs 1:30 "They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, Proverbs 5:12 And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof! Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life Proverbs 10:17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray. Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored. Proverbs 15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible. Proverbs 15:10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. Proverbs 15:31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. Proverbs 15:32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. Proverbs 27:5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Proverbs 29:1 A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. Warren Wiersbe sums up Habakkuk 2 noting that… Habakkuk needed a right perspective on what God was doing in His world. Although it is good to pray about these things, it is also good to “be still and know that [He is] God” (Ps. 46:10). The Lord emphasized two truths about Himself. God is just. The five “woes” made it clear that God knew the sins of His people and would deal with them in due time. He hates pride, greed, selfishness, murder, drunkenness, lust, and idolatry. God is faithful. Three key verses (Hab 2:4, 14, 20) reveal this trait. You can trust Him because His character never changes and His Word never fails (Hab 2:4). It may not seem that way now, but one day His glory will be revealed in all the earth (Hab 2:14). Meanwhile, God is on His throne and has everything under control (Hab 2:20). So, instead of looking around and asking God a lot of questions, LOOK UP and LAY HOLD of His assurances. Wiersbe, W: With the Word: Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook. Nelson) (Bolding and color added for emphasis) F B
Habacuque 2
McGee puts it plainly He is wrong. He is going down the wrong pathway. “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr 14:12).