Discussing the heartbeat of the Christian faith over tea and a biscuit
Episode Summary
In this episode, there is no doubt that it is God speaking as the passage kicks off with ‘Then the Lord replied’. Habakkuk twice over has asked God why injustice prevails, and why he lets the Babylonians run riot in their merciless wickedness, and God says wait.
Habakkuk is instructed to listen, watch and write down the ‘vision’ that God will give him. God is doing something, and it is going to happen at the right time - no delay - and exactly as he intends. We hear more of what God will do after v5, but we do hear again how puffed up, arrogant and greedy the Babylonians are. Habakkuk, and us, long for justice to come but what about those in the midst of the scene? How could anyone be safe as God’s judgement falls?
2v4 is the heartbeat of the book. It is a verse that is quoted three times in the NT (Romans 1, Galatians 3, Hebrews 10) and as we read those writers, we have a more fleshed out picture of what is being said in Habakkuk. ‘The righteous person will live by his faithfulness’ - not by works and not by the law, but only by faith. Faith that is a gift from God. Faith that will mean that we can endure as we’re urged in Hebrews. Wait in faith that God will judge, but also save - as the NT writers make clear.
Wait, says Habakkuk, and this side of the cross we are privileged to have the cross and Jesus in full view. The object of our faith is clear, and so we wait with confidence. As we look at the cross, we know the reality of judgement but also refuge and rescue.
Helpful Resources
Rather than recommending a physical resource, we would recommend people! We’ve both benefitted from people getting alongside us and good churches investing in us and teaching us how to read the Bible for ourselves. We’ve sought out opportunities over the years to get better at understanding and teaching the Bible.
Felicity currently teaches the Bible to the women’s bible study at her church.
Sarah recently wrote a book that teaches through Colossians in relation to expecting a baby and those first newborn days. You can find the book, Bumps, Babies and the Gospel’ here if you’re in the UK, and here if you’re in the USA.
Tea and Biscuit Chat Footnotes
Felicity was delighted with a delivery from England that meant she was feasting on a milk chocolate hobnob biscuit, and Sarah was disappointed by a fake Jammy Dodger from Aldi. Tea leaf Earl Grey filled Felicity’s cup, and Yorkshire tea was Sarah’s choice of drink.
In Other News…
Sponsorship Details
This podcast is sponsored by 10ofthose.com. 10ofthose.com hand pick the best Christian books that point to Jesus and sell them at discounted prices. The more you buy the cheaper they get! Check them out at 10ofthose.com.
10ofThose operates