LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Fitting Use of God's Word

Paul also built in his fellow believers by his skillful use of the Scriptures. For example, he wrote: " 'But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,' and, 'if he shrinks back, my soul had no pleasure in him.' " (Hebrews 10:38) Paul was here quoting from the prophet Habakkuk. These words were likely familiar to Paul's readers, Hebrew Christians to whom the prophetic books were well-known. Considering his goal-to strengthen the faith of Christians in and near Jerusalem around the year 61 C.E.-the example of Habakkuk was an apt choice. Why?

Habakkuk evidently wrote his book just over two decades before the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. In vision, the prophet saw the Chaldeans (or Babylonians), a "nation biter and impetuous," swooping down on Judah and destroying Jerusalem, swallowing up people's and nations in the process. (Habakkuk 1:5-11) But such a calamity had been foretold since Isaiah's day, over a century earlier. In Habakkuk's time, Jehoiakim succeeded good King Josiah, and wickedness again flourished in Judah. Jehoiakim persecuted and even murdered those speaking in Jehovah's name. (2 Chronicles 36:5; Jeremiah 22:17; 26:20-24) It is no wonder that the anguished prophet Habakkuk cried out: "How long, O Jehovah?" -Habakkuk 1:2.

Habakkuk did not know how close the destruction of Jerusalem was. Similarly, the first-century Christians did not know when the Jewish system of things would end. Nor do we know today know the "day and hour" when Jehovah's judgment will come against this wicked system. (Matthew 24:36) Let us note, then, Jehovah's two-fold answer to Habakkuk. First, he assured the prophet that the end would come right on time. "It will not be late," God said, even though from a human standpoint, it might appear to delay. (Habakkuk 2:3) Second, Jehovah reminded Habakkuk: "As for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living." (Habakkuk 2:4) What beautiful, simple truths! What matters most is, not when the end comes, but whether we continue to live a life of faith.

When Jerusalem was sacked in 607 B.C.E., Jeremiah, his secretary Baruch, Ebed-melech, and the loyal Rechabites saw the truth of Jehovah's promise to Habakkuk. They 'kept living' by escaping the terrible destruction of Jerusalem. Why? Jehovah rewarded their faithfulness. (Jeremiah 35:1-19; 39:15-18; 43:4-7; 45:1-5) Similarly, the first-century Hebrew Christians must have responded well to Paul's counsel, for when the Roman armies attacked Jerusalem in 66 C.E. and then inexplicably withdrew, those Christians faithfully heeded Jesus' warning to flee. (Luke 21:20, 21) They kept living because of their faithfulness. Likewise, we will keep living if we are found faithful when the end comes. what a vital reason for strengthening our faith now!

Next time: Bringing Examples of Faith to Life

Watchtower, 1999