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"Look among the nations and watch"

Text: Habakkuk 1:5

A DIRECT REPLY FROM GOD

The ancient prophets of the Lord had a special privilege. The Lord would communicate with them directly. The prayer-query of Habakkuk was answered by the Lord personally.

“Look among the nations and watch-
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.”
Habakkuk 1:5

1. “Look among the nations and watch”

a) This was certainly not the answer that Habakkuk had expected to hear.

b) He had brought to the Lord the problems that were in Judah.

c) The Lord’s reply was deeply difficult and profound.

d) Habakkuk was urged to consider the nations.

i) His focus must not just be on his country.

ii) His horizon must be farther afield… “the nations” (that is… “The Gentile nations”).

e) Watch

i) It was important to note what God was doing among other nations.

ii) Habakkuk should not just focus his attention on his home country- Judah.

2. “Be utterly astounded”

a) Habakkuk was already astounded at what was happening in his country.

b) The Lord was preparing him to be even more astounded… utterly so!

3. “For I will work a work in your days”

a) God was going to reveal to Habakkuk what He had planned to do.

b) His plans involved Judah.

c) But His plans also involved the other nations (many of them were hostile to Judah).

4. “Which you would not believe, though it were told you”

a) God knew that what He was going to reveal would be difficult to believe.

b) The average typical mindset of Israel in those days was that God was dealing only with Israel.

c) Israel believed that God had nothing to do with other nations for they were not His people.

d) This myopic view of God and His dealings with the Gentile nations was essentially flawed.

e) God had to prepare Habakkuk to open both heart and mind to comprehend His profound plans!