The outcomes of a self-sufficient life and its remedy

We finally begin to see in our reading an answer to Habakkuk’s question about the wickedness of the Babylonians and whether God is going to judge them (Hab 1:13). The portrait of the oppressor describes the way of the proud and self-sufficient in five woes (Hab 2:6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20), which fits the Babylonians and affirms their coming downfall. However, the profile painted has a broader application because it shows the workings of pride and self-reliance, traits that we all recognise from our sinful life even if we do not reach the extremes of the Babylonians. Seeing the description should help us understand what drives a life lived without God and move us toward seeking the Lord.

The portrait of a self-sufficient life

The first characteristic of the self-reliant is that their appetite is insatiable for what they want (Hab 2:5) and this inevitably leads to forcefully taking from others (Hab 2:6). For Babylon, as the first woe shows, this meant looting the occupied nations for wealth which would reflect the conquerors’ prestige and power. However, such action came at the cost of murder and violence (Hab 2:8). The image is that of a person taking out loan after loan until eventually the creditors will come to collect the debt (Hab 2:7). Thus, inherent in the crime is its punishment because in God’s moral universe violence sown will be violence reaped, and the looter will eventually become plunder for others (v.7).

The second woe describes how unlawful gain is always at risk to be lost, so that the self-reliant look for safety (like an eagle building a nest on high; Hab 2:9). Yet by trying to eliminate opposition and establish safety as the Babylonians did by crushing other nations, they created an edifice (an empire) that was full of internal tensions (Hab 2:10-11) ready to be torn apart as the structures weakened over time. What they have produced carried within it the seed of destruction so that they were effectively sinning against themselves (v.10)! The third woe adds to this the futility of such efforts to build something valuable and lasting out of sinful, unjust and violent actions (Hab 2:12-13).

The key to understanding

Throughout this description, we see how judgment on sin is inevitable both because violence begets violence so that what we do to others will eventually come round and be done to us, but also because sin is essentially self-destructive. The key to gaining the right perspective is to know and acknowledge God’s very nature (His glory; Hab 2:14). His character is just, so that built into the fabric of His creation are certain moral principles. These may not be evident in the short term, but they become visible to those who admit that God is just and ultimately all will have to recognise it.

Self-reliance in our lives and its antidote

Scripture often portrays for us the extremes of sin, which may have a shock effect on us, but it can also mask their resemblance to our mundane lives. Yet, the essential similarities are present in our ‘lesser’ sins. Whether we long for love, material or emotional security, self-worth or identity, if these become the driving force instead of knowing God, then our goals will always remain elusive and out of reach and what we gain will never entirely satisfy. Unfulfilled and restless, we will eventually turn to illegitimate means to get what we think we need. We may manipulate others to show us love and appreciation, amass more wealth to feel safe even if it means brushing the needs of others aside. We may work harder and harder to prove our worth, while our families suffer neglect, or we might look for ways to take control over one area of our lives or over other people to feel in charge. The antidote to our self-reliance and restless grabbing is to know and acknowledge God and His glory (i.e. His nature; Hab 2:14). It is only then that we learn to act without hurting others (Isa 11:9). As we submit to Him, we turn from self-sufficiency to a life of faith (Hab 2:4): trust in the character of God, both in His judgment but also in His love that provides for our needs and in whom we find rest.

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