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"For the violence done to Lebanon"

Text: Habakkuk 2:17

THE WAR WAGED AGAINST LEBANON

Many were the war campaigns waged by the Chaldeans. Their battle to conquer Lebanon was brought into sharp focus in this text.

“For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you,
And the plunder of beasts which made them afraid,
Because of men’s blood
And the violence of the land and the city,
And of all who dwell in it.”
Habakkuk 2:17

1. Some wicked deeds highlighted

a) Violence (Lebanon was just an example.)

i) Lebanon was known for its beauty and for the trees the country produced (e.g. the cedar).

ii) But the country suffered terribly from the great violence done against it.

iii) Forests may have been destroyed wantonly as a display of power and authority.

b) Plunder of beasts

i) Beasts dwelt in relative tranquility.

ii) But when great violence is perpetrated then fear is caused.

iii) Even the beasts of the land were afraid of the Chaldeans.

c) Men’s blood

i) The army of Lebanon would be destroyed.

ii) It was not uncommon practice to decimate the population to keep everyone fearful.

iii) Executions would be carried out to cause further intimidation.

d) Violence of the land and city

i) Lebanon as a land was pillaged and plundered.

ii) No city was spared, no matter how beautiful it may have been.

e) And all who dwell in it

i) This would include the old and infirm.

ii) Children and womenfolk would not be spared either.

2. The war-like Chaldeans

a) The Chaldeans were described as “a bitter and hasty nation” (Habakkuk 1:6).

b) They were well-described as “terrible and dreadful” (Habakkuk 1:7).

c) They “all come for violence” (Habakkuk 1:9).