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The Example of Prophet Habakkuk

Text: Matthew 11 : 1 - 19

John may have dark moments of doubt, but Jesus was confident that he would understand the message He sent back through his disciples. All deep-thinking servants of God will regain their confidence in the Lord.

We are reminded of how Habakkuk once struggled with doubts too. The prophet expressed his concerns before the Lord in prayer and then he waited for the Lord to answer his prayer. He said,

“I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me.
And what I will answer when I am corrected.”
Habakkuk 2:1

The Lord gave Habakkuk a reply, and Habakkuk had this to say in response.

“O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was
afraid…

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labour of the olive may fail;
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls –
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength…”
Habakkuk 3:2, 17-19

A HIGH WORD OF PRAISE

After the disciples of John returned to report to their master, Jesus gave a special word of praise and commendation concerning John the Baptiser.

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the
multitudes concerning John: ‘What did you
go out into the wilderness to see? A reed
shaken by the wind? But what did you go
out to see? A man clothed in soft garments?
Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in
king’s houses. But what did you go out to
see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more
than a prophet.’ ”
Matthew 11:7-9

There were many people who were listening to Jesus give an answer to the two disciples of John. Many of the people in the multitude that thronged Jesus had heard John preach in the wilderness. We know this because Jesus made reference to their going to the wilderness. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”

1. John the Baptiser was no “reed shaken by the wind”

What did Jesus mean when He spoke these words? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

a) A Reed in the wilderness

A reed is a common plant. A reed in the wilderness was so common a sight that it was hardly worth commenting on. John was anything but a common reed in the wilderness.

b) A Reed shaken by the wind

Not only was a reed a common object, it was also seen as a symbol of something weak. It was swayed by the wind easily. John may have had his moments of doubt, but he was not a weak thing! Far from it! With these opening words, Jesus settles the issue of the dark doubts that plagued John. He is not to be despised for having such struggles.

2. John – A man clothed in soft garments?

a) John could have been a scholarly priest

If John had chosen to dress in soft garments, he could have had them . His father was an honoured priest. He was one of those chosen to offer special prayers in the Temple at Jerusalem (Cf. Luke 1:5-23, 62-79). From what Luke wrote about Zacharias, we know that he was a well-educated priest. He knew his Scriptures. He was a man given to much learning. John could have had that soft life as a scholar.

People who enjoyed soft garments often found themselves cultivating the favours of kings. Many of the priests (Sadducees) found themselves in the courts of Herod. They curried favours from him. They became rich and powerful. However, they never counted for much with reference to real service given to the Lord.

b) John honored as a prophet and more

There were a number of officially named positions in Old Testament times. There were the kings and the priests. Kings ruled as shepherds of the flock of God. Priests looked after the religious aspect of life in the kingdom.

When the monarchs and priests failed to do their work faithfully, God raised up another smaller group of special servants. These were called “prophets”. To be called a prophet was high honour. These were special servants of God who wielded tremendous authority. Some were given special powers to perform miracles. Most notable among these were the prophets Elijah and Elisha.

Jesus gave the highest word of commendation ever when He made this statement concerning John the Baptiser.

“But what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.”
Matthew 11:9

Jesus loved and honoured John as a good and faithful servant of God.