30/09/12

Their horses are swifter and fiercer than leopards and wolves

Habakkuk 1:8 - Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce [sharper] than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.


In Habakkuk chapter 1 the Lord is speaking about the influence of the Chaldeans had on His people. In verse 6 the Lord describes the Chaldeans as a bitter and hasty nation but in verse 8 we see an aspect of them which seem to be pleasing to ordinary man.

The Lord describes their horses as more swift than the leopards (this could also mean a cheetah) and more sharp than the evening wolves (when they are on a hunt). The Lord also says they spread far and wide, and when they go for a kill they stoop at the speed and accuracy of an eagle.

Surely there is no horse that has all these aspects which the Lord speaks of here so also the Lord is not speaking about the Chaldeans tribe today (for they do not exist today).

The word Chaldeans means 'cold-breakers' it comes from the word which means 'increase'.

In today's message the Lord is talking about the people of this world who live to prosper in things of the world. When we look at the people of this world we see they are prospering as speeds which amaze everyone, like the speed of a cheetah. They have a very shrewd way of doing their business or the daily things in life which the Lord compares to the sharpness of a pack of wolves out on a hunt. Another aspect the Lord talks of is their swiftness to take advantage of opportunities like a snooping eagle.

Most may say brother what is wrong with this. If you had asked me this question yesterday I could have had difficulties in answering it, but today even before the Lord gave me this scripture for today He gave the answer to it as I was discussing a matter with someone in the morning.

'People of this world work hard to live a good life until death and the people of God work hard for a good death so that we may live an excellent life eternally'.

It may disappoint many Christians when I say that the Lord expects us people to live in tents, it does not mean actual tents. We Christians live in this world but are just passing through this world. We are not residents of this world. Our residence is Heaven and if we make our residence here then we lose our real residence which is Heaven. It also means we should not have our hearts lost behind the things of this world for our worldly likes and desires will obstruct our entry to Heaven like a burdened camel would get stuck while entering the city through its narrow gates, which were called the eye of a needle.

The Lord says these people may look like people satisfied in life but the Lord is saying their lives are full of bitterness, there is nothing sweet in their lives, they have no joy in it. He warns at the end these people are made to be an example.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You put us in this world not to be part of this world but to overcome this world and confirm that we are your children. Our permanent home is not here but is with You in the real world which is the Spirit world. This natural world is temporary and will perish the day You come to receive us. Lord, help us to live in this world but let us not have our hearts set on the things of this world. We know it is hard but we have confidence because You came as man and overcame. We have received your Spirit and so we too will overcome...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Habakkuk 1:6-12
6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

Matthew 19:23-25
23 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

Psalms 78:55 - He drove out the nations also before them, And allotted them for an inheritance by line, And made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

Hosea 12:9 - But I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)