Lectionary # 412, 18th week, Aug.8,2008

Scripture: Sat. of 18th week, Aug.8,2008. Habakkuk 1:12-2:4. Psalm
9:8-9.10-11.12-13. Matthew 17:14-20. Lectionary # 412:

Habakkuk is the eighth book of the Minor Prophets. We know nothing
of his personal life but do have this inspired writing which offers
something new and unique. Here the human words of the prophet are foremost
and they open up to a direct dialogue with God. Perhaps, this is what
prayer should be in our relationship with God.
We can place this writing during the time of the rise of the
Chaldeans who conquered Nineveh. A good time line would be from 626B.C. to
605.B.C. It is a valuable document showing us the words of the prophet
being recorded more than God's words! This is good news for us ,showing
that God is listening to our complaints and laments. From time to time we
could use this as a way of our conversation with the Lord. In a certain
manner, the Psalms are like this giving us more of the human element in
their wording than the divine. After all, an I-Thou dialogue with God is a
remarkable experience.
The opening lines of this book are a good example of the totally
human complaint, "How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and Thou wilt not hear? I
cry out to Thee of violence and Thou will not save. ...And why are spoiling
and violence before me?" Habakkuk will initiate two dialogues with God and
end with a psalm in chapter three. The work consists of 56 lines and three
chapters in our translations.
One of the most famous of lines issues from this work. Paul uses it
in Romans as he develops his theology of faith and the question of works.
Habakkuk proclaims in 2:4: "The righteous shall live by his faith." The
Hebrew word for faith is emunah and it..."does not signify faith in the
Bible but 'steadfastness,faithfulness.' It is used of Moses' uplifted hands
which were steady (Exodus 17:12), and of men in charge of money who dealt
faithfully (II Kings 12:16). What is here intended is: the righteous
Israelite, who remains unswervingly loyal to moral precepts, will endure,
although he has to suffer for his principles; whereas the wicked, who enjoy
a temporary ascendancy through their violation of right, are in the end
overthrown and humbled. The Talmud records the famous remark of R.Simlai
(Makkot 23b),"Moses gave Israel 613 commandments. David reduced them to 10,
Isaiah to 2, but Habakkuk to one:the righteous shall live by his faith."
Soncino, Commentary, p.219, The Twelve Prophets).
Habakkuk emphasizes integrity and thus we can surmise his own life is
reflected in his words to God. Where there is integrity in us combined with
the pursuit of truth, dialogue is possible even with God. And, as we turn
to the Gospel, we see that Jesus is himself complaining for those around
him who lack this kind of "faith." We can follow this theme of steadfast
faithfulness in the parallels in the New Testament found in Romans 1:17,
Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:37-39. We pray for the grace of integrity
in our daily living. Amen.