Thoughts from the Sermon, “The Glory of God Through the Severity of Judgment” Habakkuk 2:5-20

Thoughts from the Sermon, “The Glory of God Through the Severity of Judgment” Habakkuk 2:5-20

by Vermon Pierre, Lead Pastor

1. God shows his full awareness of Babylon’s sin in this passage and his intention to judge them accordingly. God’s judgment will be severe but fair. God is a righteous judge will always judge unrighteousness. He does this so that he alone, and not anyone else, will be glorified throughout the earth (Hab 2:14).

2. Babylon will be judged for the following categories of sin. Eventually all who are guilty of these kinds of sins will be judged by God. For the most part all of these sins involve Babylon taking advantage of others for their own benefit.

            1. Extortion and theft (Hab 2:6-8)

            2. Exploitation and pride (Hab 2:9-11)

            3. Oppression and violence (Hab 2:12-14)

            4. Humiliation and destruction (Hab 2:15-17)

            5. Idolatry (Hab 2:18-20)

3. No person will be able to stand guiltless before God when judgment comes, for ultimately all people have sinned against him and fallen short of this glory (Rom 3:23). Thankfully this righteous God was also willing to show grace and mercy. We see this grace and mercy in the person of Jesus. In Jesus God himself comes down into rebellious sinful humanity. And in Jesus we see God stolen from, exploited, oppressed by others, violated, abused, humiliated, and eventually destroyed on a cross. Jesus was victimized in all these ways so that he might be in position to drink the cup of judgment that we should have had to drink. Jesus is killed so that he could be the divine Savior to all those who leave behind their own selfishness and pride and idolatry and place their faith and trust in him.

4. We should be judged. But instead we are saved through faith in God’s work for us at the cross. In response we now live our lives for God’s glory. Indeed, we were saved out of judgment for his glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 – “We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”