Why Are You Silent, Lord?

“They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor” (Hab. 1:7). God is speaking of the Babylonians here. In fact, earlier (v. 6) God said that He was “raising up the Babylonians.” This was in answer to Habakkuk’s complaint that God did not listen (v. 2) and tolerated wrong (v. 3). God was going to punish evil nations with an evil nation.

Habakkuk further complains: “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).

In Habakkuk 2:1-12, God gives several answers to these questions, but in the end they are moot questions because verse 13 gives a comprehensive answer. “Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:13-14).

God takes the long view. No one will get away with anything. Psalms 37 and 73 raise some of the same questions and give an answer. This is to encourage you to read and meditate on these Scriptures.

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