THE JUST WILL LIVE BY FAITH

Time with Jesus - 5 Oct 2013

Hi all,

Our Old Testament includes the writings of twelve so called, “Minor Prophets”. This was done to distinguish them from the so called “Major Prophets”; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. 

What these 12 men stated was by no means minor. Most of them brought God’s warnings to the people of their day. Habakkuk was a little different. His book was written as though he was dialoging with God.

Habakkuk

Very little is known about Habakkuk. It’s also not certain when he brought God’s message to the people. We know Isaiah warned Hezekiah about the rising power of the Babylonians. Some years later, Habakkuk brought his Prophesy. God told Habakkuk about the Babylonians. It’s likely that the dialogue with God took place before the fall of Nineveh in 612BC. So a “thumb-suck” produces a guesstimate of ±620/30BC. 

It must have taken place before the battle of Carchemish, that took place in ±605BC between the allied armies of Egypt, led by Pharaoh Necco 2 and former Assyria, against Babylonia led by Nebuchadnezzar 2. 605BC also corresponds with the date when Jerusalem surrendered to the Babylonians. That’s when Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and his friends to Babylon.

At the time of Habakkuk’s prophesy, the standards of morality and justice in Judah and Jerusalem were shocking. Things were so bad, Habakkuk “had a go” at God.

 “Why are you allowing the wicked to prosper” Habakkuk asks. “Can’t you see what’s happening? Why are you not doing anything about it?” “But I am doing something” is what God replied to Habakkuk. “Can’t you see it? I’m raising up the Babylonians!” In 20^th century terms it would be similar to God saying, “I’m raising up the Nazi’s”. 

What the Babylonians did to the people and land they conquered, beggars the imagination. They killed men, women and children when it suited them. Some were taken to Babylon as servants and slaves. The ones like Daniel and his friends were emasculated. 

Meanwhile, back in the place where people had once lived, they smashed the cities. All animals were slaughtered. The crops were burned. Even the trees, along with their fruit, were burned down and destroyed. When the Babylonians were finished, nothing remained alive. It is reported that they would keep some of the defeated men with them. Then if they couldn’t cross a river, they would drive the prisoners into the water and kill them. Then the Babylonians would march across the water on the dead bodies of their prisoners.

Habakkuk could hardly believe what God had told him. The Babylonians were even more wicked than the men in Judah and Jerusalem. Surely God wouldn’t allow these fierce and terrible people to overrun Judah and Jerusalem? Nothing would be left behind and God’s people would be destroyed.

“So will it really happen?” wonders Habakkuk to himself. “I’d better climb into my watchtower and wait for God to tell me conclusively, if it’s a certainty”. Was this a real watchtower on the walls of the city, or was he speaking figuratively of being the Lord’s prophet? In either case, the outcome is the same. God tells him it is certain to happen. Consequently, Habakkuk is told to warn the people. 

In our day and age we would probably advise everyone by email or on the internet. Some years ago we would have had pamphlets printed and distributed. In Habakkuk’s day, messages were sometimes carved onto stones and distributed rather like we do with our pamphlets. Nevertheless there appears to be some urgency in getting the message distributed. 

The reader could run with the content of what Habakkuk had “seen” in his vision. Alternatively the runner could read the message while he was running. At this point Habakkuk learns from the Lord that the Babylonian invasion would certainly take place sometime in the future. 

Then the Lord adds that if it seems to be taking a long time, be patient. It will happen. ² Then the LORD said to me, "Write My answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. ³ This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. ⁴ "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Habakkuk 2:2-4 NLT

The central issue here is in the last few words of Habakkuk 4:4. These are the words that sparked Martin Luther and the protestant reformation. The KJV states, the just shall live by his faith. It’s not a good translation. A better translation is the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

Surely, this is what living is all about. The Lord wants us to live faithfully before Him. We have mistakenly translated the word “faith” and made the passage read something different from what was intended. According to Strong’s numbers, the word means: literally - firmness; figuratively - it means security; moral fidelity: - faithful, - faithfully, - faithfulness, set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.

Nothing has changed in ±2600 years. In this wicked world we live in, we are required by God to be faithful to Him. One small difference is that for you and me, it’s what Jesus requires. 

He knows who His followers are. They are not perfect, but are trying to live a life pleasing to Him. They avoid sin like the plague. They are in pursuit of holiness. They seek to put Him first in every situation. They are the ones who “endure to the end”. Am I doing that? Are you?

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 5 Oct. 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE JUST WILL LIVE BY FAITH
Martin Luther is said to have launched the Protestant Reformation, when he nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of All Saints' Church, in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517. His famous rallying cry “The just shall live by faith” has been mistranslated in the KJV. Another translation states 4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Habakkuk 2:4 NLT This was not a deliberate mistranslation. It’s a slight difference of understanding to the translators ±400 years ago. The issue for English speaking people, becomes apparent with a careful reading of the Book of Habakkuk. The meditation in verse today, describes the circumstances around the “dialogue” between Habakkuk and God in Habakkuk’s vision. This constitutes the first two chapters. In brief we read Habakkuk’s complaint about the corruption and violence he sees in Judah. We read of his accusation that God is doing nothing about it. The Lord replies and tells him He is doing something. He is raising up the Babylonians to deal with His people. Habakkuk was horrified. “Surely You won’t do that”, he says to the Lord. “They are more wicked than we are. They are incredibly cruel. They destroy all life when they invade. Men, women, children, animals, livestock, crops and trees. Nothing is left alive when they depart”. It’s a terrible picture of what he thinks the Babylonians will do to God’s people, the occupants of Judah. This is the point where God tells Habakkuk that not everyone will be slaughtered. Those who are seeking to follow Him in justice and righteousness will be protected. They will live because of their faithfulness to Him. i.e. The “just” (righteous) will be protected (will live) by their faithfulness (faith) to God. God had already told Habakkuk to write down the details of this vision on stone tablets and for it to be distributed throughout Judah. They were to be written so that those who run can read, or those who read can run. It was to be widely distributed. The vision would certainly take place although it would not be in the immediate future. At this point Habakkuk becomes reconciled to what the Lord has promised and the magnificent prayer in chapter three is recorded. He realises that no matter what happens to the people of Judah, those who love Him will survive. The Babylonians can do their worst. He concludes with the glorious words, “17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT In the 21st century we need to learn from this for our future! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			37 In just a very little while, "The one who is coming will come. He will not wait. Hebrews 10:37 NIrV	“How long must I cry out to You and still You do not hear? Violence is everywhere; Your people filled with fear. Justice is impossible; corruption’s all around. Why do You do nothing Lord? Why can You not be found?” “Look round at the nations! Look and be amazed. I am doing something that’s sure to make you dazed. I’m raising up in Babylon, a cruel and wicked folk. They’ll march through all the nations and make them wear their yoke. They’ll crush all opposition; be forced to bend their knees. Anyone who fight’s them will be butchered as they please. They gallop on their horses and swoop down on their prey. They scoff at kings and fortresses who try to bid them nay! They slaughter men and animals; they burn the crops and trees. The men are mostly massacred. The women mainly seized.” O Lord, You are eternal. You are the Holy One. Are You bringing discipline so we will all be gone? I know we are wicked. But Lord they are much worse. Surely they should be the ones whom You are going to curse? Will you let them catch us like fish caught in a net. They will string us up on hooks? Is that what we must get? Will You let them do this to the folk who bear Your Name? Surely there’s another way our wickedness to tame? Is this Your intention and what You’re going to do? I’ll climb my watch-tower to get a better view, Of what’s about to happen. Perhaps You’ll change Your mind. And some sort of alternative You’ll see if You can find. “Listen very carefully and write My answer down. Chisel it on tablets to take to every town. Summon men to carry it; those who can run fast; Distribute My warning because the dye is cast. Many will be massacred. Many folk will die But I’ll preserve the faithful. I will not deny, Those who truly follow Me. They’ll certainly be saved. All of those remaining will be butchered or enslaved. It is sure to happen. Perhaps not by next year. Sometime in the future, this judgement will draw near. If it’s slow in coming, you must wait patiently. But that it’s going to happen? It is a certainty.” Jim Strickland Written 5th Oct 2012
			2 Then the LORD said to me, "Write My answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT
			8 Dear friends, don't ignore this fact: One day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act. 2 Peter 3:8-9 GW
			15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness’ and truth. Psalms 86:15 NASB
			1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence-- 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:1-4 ESV