Habakkuk 2:2

    Habakkuk was told to “write the vision and make it plain.” His writing was to be so plain that his hearers would be left without any questions. He was forbidden to beat around the bush. A preacher needs two things to be true to his divine calling. He needs a sharp tongue and a sharp pen.

    Habakkuk’s message was very vivid. The theme of his message was GOD WILL JUDGE SIN! God will judge all sin, whether it is in the pulpit, the pew, home, society, government, world, or on the job. Sooner or latter the ax will fall and the chips will fly!

    The message was and still is, you will reap what you sow, be sure your sins will find you out, your chickens will always come home to roost, and the cows eventually come home at the end of the day. There is a pay day some day, what goes around comes around, or if you dance you have to pay the fiddler. Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 10:32 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” In the book of Habakkuk the Lord announces five woes on Israel, since judgment must begin at the house of God. “Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? Because thou has spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.” Habakkuk 2:7-8

WOE # I Habakkuk 2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

    Woe to the shrewd business man! Woe to him who accumulates that which is not his. Woe to the thief. Woe to the one who is always beating others out of what rightfully belongs to them.

    For a while people seem to get by with these kinds of things, but when judgment comes, there is no remedy or hiding place. Some seem to think they are above the law, but swift punishment is coming for these dishonest types who hide behind the law. Have you ever noticed that those who break laws are sometimes the first to try to use the law against those who want to expose their sins. When God sends punishment, there is no hiding place and the bed is too short and the cover is too narrow. Let the chips fall on the dishonest man!

WOE # II Habakkuk 2:9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

    Woe to the man who thinks his family is the only family in the world. This man not only accumulates that which doesn’t belong to him but he hides behind the law to keep from getting punished for his wrong doing. It is bad to do wrong. But it’s worse to do wrong and use your station in life to get by. It is like the policeman who hides behind his badge. It is like the preacher who hides behind the pulpit. It is like the boss who hides behind his position. It is like the politician who hides behind his office. There are some who seek positions in life so that it will give them an advantage when they do wrong. Woe to the one who sets his nest on high in order to save himself from getting punished for his evil ways. Habakkuk 2:11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. The stones and boards that make your hiding place will cry out against you. God sees and God knows what men do. Some seem to have forgotten about the avenging angel. But even more than this, God says, Vengeance is mine; I will repay... So, let the chips fall on the thief!

WOE # III Habakkuk 2:12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

    Woe to him that uses murder and iniquity to build a town. This passage is condemning those who do whatever it takes in order to accomplish their purpose. To them other people are disposable. The accomplishment is more important than humanity. Sometimes the accomplishment is even more important than one’s own family. One of the saddest things in America today and even in Baptist churches are parents who are willing to destroy their own children’s lives just to have their way in church. They forget that the Lord visits the iniquities of the fathers to the third and fourth generations.

    To these types the end justifies the means. Just get the job done even if you have to walk on everyone. If it’s necessary to destroy someone else’s life or career just do it. No one else in the world matters but them. Again, God knows what goes on! He knew about David’s sin. David was told the sword shall not de- part from your house. What a terrible and awful way to live out your life! David spent the rest of his life swimming in a bed of tears. David paid and paid and paid and paid and paid and paid and paid! David’s family paid too! All because David had his head and heart set on getting what he wanted even if it was some one else’s. Ask David about taking advantage of someone smaller that you are. God is bigger than we all are. So all you big boys out there, dismiss the idea of walking on the little man. That little man may have a big God! So, let the chips fall on the murderer!

WOE # IV Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

    The sin here is that of promoting alcohol. It is bad enough to drink yourself but it is worse to entice someone else to drink. God judges the seller, the promoter and user of alcohol. Why is it that drinking people always seem to think that they are smarter than non-drinkers? What is so smart about drinking. There is no sensible reason for drinking. It is wrong and it will be judged by God! Habakkuk 2:16, Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD’S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. 17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

    God will use His right hand, His strongest hand to knock you down. Since God judges drinking so hard, it is not smart at all. It’s the preacher’s job to preach against drinking. “Write the vision and make it plain!” Leave no questions and make sure that people understand. Let the chips fall on the drinker, the maker, the seller, and the promoter of liquor!

WOE # V Habakkuk 2:19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

    Woe to those who worship idols. The first commandment forbids the worship of other gods. Idolatry is perhaps the worst sin of all! God is a jealous God, and He will not take second place to anything or anyone in our lives. Who or what do you worship? Is it the true and living God? Whose tune do you dance to? “Write the vision and make it plain.” Let the chips fall, let them fall where they may!