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AN ASSESSMENT FROM THE LORD

The LORD God gave His assessment of the wicked deeds of the Chaldeans. Habakkuk need not have worried that God would overlook the transgressions and iniquities of the Babylonians!

“Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts
That the peoples labour to feed the fire,
And nations weary themselves in vain?
For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,
As the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2:13-14

1. “Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts”

a) God declared that He was the One who raised up the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:6).

b) However, He was not behind the bloodshed and the iniquities of the Chaldeans.

c) The frenzied re-building programs of the Chaldeans were not of the Lord.

2. “That the peoples labour to feed the fire”

a) This word reflects the activities of the Chaldeans.

b) They used “forced labour”.

i) It was not uncommon to make slaves of the conquered people.

ii) Many were made to labour hard to build towns and cities.

c) Fire was needed by the iron-smith to create and manufacture various implements.

i) War machines.

ii) Building materials for the establishment of towns and cities.

iii) Implements for harvesting.

iv) Labourers worked hard at keeping the fires burning brightly.

3. “Nations weary themselves in vain”

a) So much energy and effort had to be put in.

b) The conquered nations had to work very hard, wearying themselves to serve the Chaldeans.

4. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea”

a) The Lord declared that the earth would one day be filled with the knowledge of God’s glory.

b) This was a prophetic statement.

c) This will be fulfilled in the Messianic Kingdom that will be established one day.

d) It is as certain as the waters cover the sea!