Habakkuk 1:5

¶ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for [I] will work a work in your days, [which] ye will not believe, though it be told [you].

Behold {H7200} ye among the heathen {H1471}, and regard {H5027}, and wonder {H8539} marvellously {H8539}: for I will work {H6466} a work {H6467} in your days {H3117}, which ye will not believe {H539}, though it be told {H5608} you.

"Look around among the nations! What you see will completely astound you! For what is going to be done in your days you will not believe, even when you are told.

“Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.

Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvellously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you.

Commentary

Habakkuk 1:5 (KJV) stands as a pivotal verse, marking the beginning of God's surprising response to the prophet Habakkuk's earnest lament regarding the rampant injustice and violence within Judah. This divine declaration sets the stage for a revelation that is both astonishing and terrifying.

Context

Before this verse, Habakkuk has cried out to God, questioning why He tolerates the wickedness and lack of justice among His own people (Habakkuk 1:2-4). The prophet, distressed by the moral decay, seeks divine intervention. In response, God unveils His plan, which is so radical and unexpected that it will challenge the very belief of those who hear it. The "heathen" mentioned here are specifically identified in the very next verse as the fierce and swift Chaldeans (Babylonians), whom God will raise up as His instrument of judgment against Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Unpredictable Action: God asserts His absolute control over history, declaring that He is actively at work, even when His methods are beyond human comprehension or expectation. His "work" is not merely an event, but a profound act of divine will.
  • Astonishing Judgment: The core message is that God is about to perform an act so extraordinary and severe that it will be met with utter disbelief. This refers to the impending invasion and destruction of Judah by the Babylonians, a judgment so cataclysmic that it would seem impossible, even when foretold.
  • A Call to Attention and Awe: The repeated commands—"Behold," "regard," and "wonder marvellously"—are not merely suggestions but urgent divine imperatives. God demands that His people pay close attention to what He is about to do, an act that will inspire profound amazement and dread.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wonder marvellously" uses a Hebrew root (תָּמַהּ - tamah) that conveys a sense of astonishment, amazement, or even horror. The repetition of the root emphasizes the intensity of this reaction, indicating that the coming event will be truly astounding and difficult to grasp. Similarly, "work a work" is a strong Hebrew idiom, underscoring the certainty and undeniable nature of God's impending action, ensuring that His declared purpose will indeed come to pass.

Practical Application

Habakkuk 1:5 reminds us that God is always at work, even in times of great confusion, injustice, or apparent divine silence. His plans are often beyond our understanding, and His methods may seem contrary to our expectations. This verse encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when circumstances are dire or God's actions seem harsh, we must remember that He is in control and works all things according to His perfect will (Romans 8:28).
  • Be Alert to God's Warnings: Just as God warned Judah, He continues to provide warnings through His Word and by His Spirit. We are called to pay attention and respond with faith, rather than disbelief.
  • Embrace Awe and Humility: God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). This verse calls us to humility before the incomprehensible power and wisdom of the Almighty.
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Cross-References

  • Acts 13:40 (15 votes)

    Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

  • Acts 13:41 (15 votes)

    Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

  • Lamentations 4:12 (9 votes)

    The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 5:12 (7 votes)

    They have belied the LORD, and said, [It is] not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:

  • Jeremiah 5:13 (7 votes)

    And the prophets shall become wind, and the word [is] not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.

  • Jeremiah 9:25 (6 votes)

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all [them which are] circumcised with the uncircumcised;

  • Jeremiah 9:26 (6 votes)

    Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all [that are] in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all [these] nations [are] uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel [are] uncircumcised in the heart.