Justice and the Prophets
God Requires Justice
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
A Prayer for Justice
Habakkuk 1:5-11 The Message
God Says, “Look!”
5-11 “Look around at the godless nations.
Look long and hard. Brace yourself for a shock.
Something’s about to take place
and you’re going to find it hard to believe.
I’m about to raise up Babylonians to punish you,
Babylonians, fierce and ferocious—
World-conquering Babylon,
grabbing up nations right and left,
A dreadful and terrible people,
making up its own rules as it goes.
Their horses run like the wind,
attack like bloodthirsty wolves.
A stampede of galloping horses
thunders out of nowhere.
They descend like vultures
circling in on carrion.
They’re out to kill. Death is on their minds.
They collect victims like squirrels gathering nuts.
They mock kings,
poke fun at generals,
Spit on forts,
and leave them in the dust.
They’ll all be blown away by the wind.
Brazen in sin, they call strength their god.”
For Reflection
In these passages, we see how God judges the godless. The aggressors are shown in stark contrast to the will of God for humankind. Their brazen sin is idolatry. The Babylonians worship themselves. They are never satisfied. They elevate themselves into god-like beings and bolster their success with violent carnage. They can never rest in peace.
Pray
Pray and contemplate your responses to violent aggression. Think about the dilemma produced by violence. Think about the escalation of violence. Ponder the effect of perpetrating violence on your status as a child of God. Consider the alternative, non-violent resistance.
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