Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;
you cannot tolerate wrong.
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?
Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Hab. 1.13
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?
Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Hab. 1.13
This verse presents an interesting contrast
which could almost be seen as conflicting. Habakkuk rightly describes God. His
righteousness simply does not allow Him to look on evil or tolerate wrong. Yet
He allows the wicked, the unrighteous, to attack and prevail over those who are
more righteous than them. I note some caution here in Habakkuk’s choice of
words. He knows God’s people are not without fault or blemish, so he desists
from labelling them as “righteous”, choosing instead to describe them as “more
righteous” than the interlopers.
God nor only remains silent while the
wicked prosper, we are told from verse 6 that God has Himself raised up these
wicked people to express His wrath and judgment on the Israelites.
I receive great encouragement from this
verse for it tells me that God is present in every situation. If I am tempted
to consider any circumstance I find myself in as “too ungodly for God”, then I
can remind myself of this verse, and even ponder whether God is the force
behind the situation, having created it to effect a work or change in me.
Lord
God,
I am
so clearly reminded that You are in all things. Even though there is nothing
evil about You, You can work for good in the most unpromising situation. I
invite You into every aspect of my life. I acknowledge You fully. Lead me
always in Your way. Open the path before me, and direct my steps. I love You,
and seek to honour You in who I am and all that I do. Receive these my prayers,
in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
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