The third song of ridicule (v 12-14)

The future destruction of the Chaldeans is described through “five songs of ridicule.” These “songs of ridicule” are expressions of irony and satire, singing grief, judgment, and the reasons for their destruction. Last time we looked at the first and second songs, so this time let us look at the remaining three. Verse 12 says, “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed, and founds a town with violence!” (1) The third sin of the Chaldeans is “bloodshed” and “injustice.” In other words, they built their city by trampling on human lives. (2) The kingdom of the Chaldeans, which was built by using the peoples of the nations as slaves, will be burned with fire and will disappear without a trace. (3) In verse 14 an astonishing statement appears: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” This verse is a quotation from Isaiah 11:9 and is a prophecy of the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom). What Habakkuk is saying here is that the time when the enemies of God, represented by the Chaldeans, will be completely destroyed and the glory of the Lord will cover the earth will be in the Messianic Kingdom.

The fourth song of ridicule (v 15-17)

Verse 15 says, “Woe to him who makes his neighbor drink; to you who mix in your venom even to make your neighbors drunk, so as to look at their genitalia!” (1) The fourth sin of the Chaldeans is a “shameful act” involving wine. By showing false kindness, they make their friends drunk, and then they carry out acts of plunder. (2) The plundering of the Chaldeans was directed not only toward people but also toward the natural world and the animal kingdom. (3) The Chaldeans who made their neighbors drink wine will next be made to drink the cup of God’s wrath (ref. Jer. 25:15-17).

The fifth song of ridicule (v 18-20)

Verse 18 says, “What benefit is a carved image when its maker has carved it, or a cast metal image, a teacher of falsehood? For its maker trusts in his own handiwork when he fashions speechless idols.” (1) The fifth sin of the Chaldeans is idol worship. Traditionally, Babylon was a land filled with idol worship. According to the account in Genesis, Babylon was the place where idol worship was born (Gen. 11). (2) However, whether it is a carved image or one covered with gold and silver, idols have no power. The idols of the Chaldeans are powerless and cannot save people. Verse 20 says, “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.” This verse is the conclusion of Habakkuk chapter 2. In the days of Habakkuk, the Shekinah Glory (the glory of the Lord) was shining in the Most Holy Place of the temple in Jerusalem. To forget that Him and seek help from speechless idols is foolish. Let us now be silent before Him and acknowledge and confess that there is only One in whom we can trust.