Wickedness is Self-Destructive

The Pride That Brings Woes

• The course of pride (Hab. 2:4-5).
  • It proceeds from a rotten heart. (Hab. 2:4).
  • It produces a restless life (Hab. 2:5).
    • It makes him drunk with his own power.
    • It makes him desire what he can never attain.
• The contrast with pride (Hab. 2:4).
  • The just shall live by faith!
  • Faithfulness brings the satisfaction that pride can never provide.
  • They can endure the suffering of the captivity because they are satisfied to trust in Jehovah.
  • 2 Cor. 12:7-10
  • Rom. 1:17, our satisfaction is in the gospel’s power to save!
  • Heb. 10:34
  • Captivity was coming but the just would live by faith.

The Five Woes of the Wicked (cf. Matt. 23:13-36)

• Woe to the plunderer (Hab. 2:6).
  • The charge: taking that which is not his.
  • The consequences: the plunderers shall be plundered!
• Woe to the covetous (Hab. 2:9).
  • The charge: coveting evil gain.
  • The consequences: shame (Hab. 2:10), sin (Hab. 2:10-11).
• Woe to the violent (Hab. 2:12).
  • The charge: violence seen in the use of slave labor and lack of concern for life.
  • The consequences:
    • The destruction of Babylon (Hab. 2:13).
    • Their destruction would demonstrate the power of Jehovah! (cf. Ex. 14:30-31).
• Woe to the drunkard (Hab. 2:15).
  • The charge: using power to take away dignity and honor. The power is compared to strong drink.
  • The consequences: Shame and retribution!
• Woe to the idolater (Hab. 2:19).
  • The charge: idolatry.
  • The consequences: No profit, no performance! (cf. Isa. 44:18-20; Jer. 50:38).
  • The contrast: What the dumb, dead, idols have no power to do, Jehovah is powerful to accomplish! (Hab. 2:20).
  • The conclusion: Let all obey Jehovah!