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Wisdom Scripture
Proverbs 4:7, "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."
Wisdom Quote
"After the primal fall, does a life wisely lived anticipate a just recompense in the here and now or a deferral to future hope? When the Bible speaks of 'wisdom,' is it talking about cleverness or instrumental skill, about human moral judgment, about a quest to live in harmony with the order of creation, or about a prudence incorporating all of the above after beginning with 'the fear of the Lord' (Prov. 1:7; 9:10)? Did seeking wisdom keep us from the tree of life (Gen. 2–3), or is wisdom itself a tree of life (Prov. 3:13–18)?" [1]
Insights
Very few people name their sons after this prophet. How many Habakkuk's do you know? How do you even pronounce it? Ha–Bak–Kuk.
He prophesied in the seventh century BC when God's people were in a mess. Israel and Judah had split into two separate nations. Israel had been destroyed by Assyria. Judah remained but had been going downhill fast under a series of godless kings. They were degenerating into immorality, injustice, and idolatry. They were turning away from the true God. Sound familiar?
Godless Babylon was coming after little Judah. In this chaotic time, Habakkuk describes an intensely personal struggle with God. The way things were happening did not seem to match with a God who is supposed to be good, strong, and just.
Most of us have seriously doubted or questioned God. You may be in a situation where God does not make sense. Where is God when a baby is dying of cancer—when a dad is on life support with zero quality of life but keeps hanging on? Where is God when a woman is being raped? Where is God? Doesn't God care?
Habakkuk will reveal the truth about God. It may not be what you thought or hoped. God himself says that we will be shocked by his answer. His ways are incomprehensible, as shocking as human blood dripping from a wooden cross. And yet, if we can grasp more of who God is and how he works, we will find fresh confidence in the chaos.
Habakkuk begins with the ever-persistent question, "Why?" and ends with the everlasting, "Who?" When life shakes us like a leaf in a powerful storm, we can confidently hold on to the unshakeable God who controls the storm.
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