March 15, 2020, Habakkuk 2:6-14 – ISSL Reflection

I.
This week’s text takes us to Habakkuk again.

I encourage you to read the passage several times and consider what you see as the core of Habakkuk’s accusations.

II.

Habakkuk 2:6-14 (New Revised Standard Version)

Shall not everyone taunt such people and, with mocking riddles, say about them,
“Alas for you who heap up what is not your own!”
How long will you load yourselves with goods taken in pledge?

Will not your own creditors suddenly rise,
and those who make you tremble wake up?
Then you will be booty for them.

Because you have plundered many nations,
all that survive of the peoples shall plunder you—
because of human bloodshed, and violence to the earth,
to cities and all who live in them.

“Alas for you who get evil gain for your house,
setting your nest on high
to be safe from the reach of harm!”

You have devised shame for your house
by cutting off many peoples;
you have forfeited your life.

The very stones will cry out from the wall,
and the plaster[a] will respond from the woodwork.

“Alas for you who build a town by bloodshed,
and found a city on iniquity!”

Is it not from the Lord of hosts
that peoples labor only to feed the flames,
and nations weary themselves for nothing?

But the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.

III.
Is he dealing with private or public disgrace and sin? Consider his words –

“Shall not everyone taunt such people and, with mocking riddles, say about them … “

He speaks of –

“… creditors … booty … plundered .. evil gain … “

before he mentions –

“… forfeited your life … bloodshed … iniquity … flames …”

and finally –

“… peoples labor only to feed the flames … nations weary themselves for nothing …:”

Private or Public?

Personal/Individual or Corporate/National?

Does a prophet call individuals, a people, or a nation back to God’s covenants? God’s decrees?

Where are our prophets today?

We’ll talk later,

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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