Habacuque 1

Habacuque 1

Morris - God had to veil the earth in darkness when His Son was "made sin" on the cross for us. But it was a problem for Habakkuk, as for many since, that God would punish sin in His own people by means of those even more sinful (Matthew 27:45,46). NET Bible Note - God's "eyes" here signify what He looks at with approval. His "eyes" are "pure" in that he refuses to tolerate any wrongdoing in His presence. David has a similar description of God… For Thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. No evil dwells with Thee. (Ps 5:4, cp Ps 34:15, 16) You can not look on wickedness with favor - The word look is literally to gaze or behold but in this context is used figuratively in the sense of "tolerate." Habakkuk repeats the idea that God could not look on (tolerate, put up with) wickedness, saying in essence "You cannot stand the sight of people doing wrong." Why do You look with favor on those who deal treacherously - "Why do you put up with such treacherous people?" (NET Bible) The ESV renders it "Why do you idly look at traitors?" This and the following question are not rhetorical. Habakkuk is looking for an answer. The idea is why do you look without taking action against them? Treacherous (0898)(bagad) describes unfaithfulness in several different relationships. Bagad is often used of those who are disloyal or who violate agreements. For example it is used in context of marriage meaning to commit adultery (Jer 3:9 = "spiritual adultery"). The English definition of treacherous is close to the Hebrew idea, in describing one who is likely to betray trust. Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they - In other words, because of the fact that God's eyes are too pure to behold evil, how can He use wicked men to swallow up those more righteous? This question has a clear parallel with the crucifixion of the Righteous One by evil men. Habakkuk wanted God to say something and do something, but God was silent and seemingly inactive. Remember however that divine silence does not signify divine indifference. Swallow up (01104) (bala') refers to normal swallowing but here is figurative implying utter destruction (e.g., Pr 1:11-12). Bala' was used to describe the destruction of the Egyptians (Ex 15:12) and of the rebel Korah (Nu 16:30, 32, 34) who was swallowed up by the earth! Bala' was used by Jeremiah to describe the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. The Septuagint translates the Hebrew with katapino, the verb used to describe Satan "drinking down" believers (1Pe 5:8-note).