Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

Treasures from God’s Word WT Library References

Index

Source Material ...... 5

Special Note ...... 5

An Introduction to the Book of Nahum...... 6

Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Nahum ...... 7

Jehovah executes vengeance upon his adversaries ...... 7 Execution of the wicked affords relief for those hoping in Jehovah .... 7

Nahum – Outline of Contents ...... 8

Why Beneficial ...... 8

An Introduction to the Book of Habakkuk ...... 10

Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Habakkuk ...... 11

Habakkuk cries out for help, asks how long God will allow the wicked to continue ...... 11 Jehovah replies that he has an appointed time, pronounces woe upon the Chaldean agency ...... 11 The prophet appeals for Jehovah to act and yet to show mercy during the coming day of distress ...... 11

Habakkuk Outline of Contents ...... 12

Why Beneficial ...... 12

Treasures from God’s Word ...... 14

WT Library Highlights ...... 16

Treasures from God’s Word

Nahum 1 - Habakkuk 3 Remain Spiritually Alert and Active .... 14

WT Library Reference

Nahum ...... 16

Chapters 1-3 ...... 16

Habakkuk ...... 32

Chapters 1-3 ...... 32 Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

Source Material

This material has been sourced from the updated 2016 Watchtower Library compact disk. Scriptures Included. Only verses that are explained in some way are included in the Scripture Index. Hence, if the material explains the meaning of the text, gives its background, tells why the text was written, or clarifies an original-language word and its implications, the text would be indexed, since the verse or part of it is explained. Scriptures that are used as proof texts but that are not explained are omitted. For example, Ezekiel 18:4 may be used merely to show that the soul dies. In this instance, the scripture would not be indexed, since no explanation of the text is given.

Additional personal research is encouraged.

Special Note

Occasionally you will notice that in the Treasures from God’s Word section of our Meeting Workbook that references will appear that are not included in the Watchtower Library disk or on www.wol.jw.org when searching a particular scripture reference.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

An Introduction to the Book of Nahum

The Prophet Nahum was likely living in Judah when he wrote the book bearing his name. Nahum's message focuses primarily on a single theme, the complete destruction of the Assyrian city of Nineveh. Nineveh, known for its violence and brutality, was referred to as the “city of bloodshed”. At one time, in response to the judgment message delivered by the prophet Jonah, the inhabitants of Nineveh repented of their wickedness. However, the Ninevites eventually returned to their wicked ways and, about two centuries after Jonah's prophecy, Jehovah used Nahum to prophesy against Nineveh again. The book of Nahum was completed sometime before 632 B.C.E., the year Nineveh was destroyed. Nahum was a contemporary of the prophets Zephaniah and Jeremiah. The book of Nahum contains three chapters. In Chapter 1 Nahum proclaims Jehovah's judgment against the city of Nineveh. The entire city with its collection of pagan gods made of wood, stone and metal will be completely destroyed. This is good news for the people of Judah. Free from that cruel and dangerous enemy they can celebrate their festivals in peace. Did you know? We can trace Nineveh's origin back to the days of Nimrod, the founder of the first empire to exist after the flood. Chapters 2 and 3 describe Nineveh's destruction in greater detail. Nineveh was a heavily fortified city with high walls and a moat. But Nahum prophesies that the gates of the rivers will be opened, and the palace will be dissolved. These words were fulfilled in 632 B.C.E. when flooding caused damage to the city. This permitted the besieging forces of Babylon and Media to capture the city and destroy it. Jehovah's prophetic word through Nahum came true in every detail. As you read the book of Nahum consider how Jehovah hates violence; how Jehovah always fulfils his word; and how Jehovah provides comfort for all who seek peace and salvation under his kingdom.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Nahum

A pronouncement against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria Written sometime before Nineveh was destroyed in 632 B.C.E. Jehovah executes vengeance upon his adversaries Jehovah requires exclusive devotion; though he is slow to anger, he does not hold back punishment when deserved No one can stand against the heat of his anger; before him the seas dry up, mountains rock, the hills melt, the earth heaves Execution of the wicked affords relief for those hoping in Jehovah Jehovah is a protective stronghold for those relying on him, but he will exterminate the enemy Good news will be announced to Judah; the “good-for-nothing person” will be cut off, and true worship will be carried on without hindrance Jehovah will regather his own, but Nineveh will be laid waste, and her war chariots burned The bloodguilty city is to be plundered as a punishment for her sins; nothing can save her, her warriors have become as women The stroke inflicted on the king of Assyria has become unhealable

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

Nahum – Outline of Contents

This book is a prophetic “pronouncement against Nineveh,” the capital of the Assyrian Empire. This Bible book was written by Nahum the Elkoshite. (Na 1:1) The historical fulfillment of that prophetic pronouncement testifies to the authenticity of the book. Sometime after the Egyptian city of No- amon (Thebes) suffered humiliating defeat in the seventh century B.C.E. (3:8-10), the book of Nahum was committed to writing, being completed before Nineveh’s foretold destruction came in 632 B.C.E. Historical Background. Although assured that the conspiracy of Syrian King Rezin and Israelite King Pekah would fail in the attempt to depose him as king (Isa 7:3-7), faithless Ahaz of Judah unwisely appealed to Assyrian King Tiglath-pileser III (Tilgath-pilneser) for aid. Eventually this move “caused him distress, and did not strengthen him,” for Judah came under the heavy yoke of Assyria. (2Ch 28:20, 21) Later, Ahaz’ son and successor to the throne, Hezekiah, rebelled against Assyrian dominance. (2Ki 18:7) Thereafter the Assyrian monarch Sennacherib invaded Judah and seized one fortified city after another, this resulting in extensive desolation of the land. (Compare Isa 7:20, 23-25; 8:6-8; 36:1, 2.) The next Judean king, Manasseh, was captured by Assyrian army chiefs and taken to Babylon (then under Assyrian control).—2Ch 33:11. Since Judah had thus suffered long under the heavy hand of Assyria, Nahum’s prophecy regarding Nineveh’s imminent destruction was good news. As if Assyria had already experienced its downfall, Nahum wrote: “Look! Upon the mountains the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace. O Judah, celebrate your festivals. Pay your vows; because no more will any good-for-nothing person pass again through you. In his entirety he will certainly be cut off.” (Na 1:15) No longer would there be any interference from the Assyrians; nothing would hinder the Judeans from attending or celebrating the festivals. The deliverance from the Assyrian oppressor would be complete. (Compare Na 1:9.) Also, all other peoples hearing about Nineveh’s destruction would “clap their hands,” or rejoice, over her calamity, for the city’s badness had brought much suffering to them.—3:19. The military aggressiveness of the Assyrians made Nineveh a “city of bloodshed.” (Na 3:1) Cruel and inhuman was the treatment meted out to captives of her wars. Some were burned or skinned alive. Others were blinded or had their noses, ears, or fingers cut off. Frequently, captives were led by cords attached to hooks that pierced the nose or lips. Truly Nineveh deserved to be destroyed for her bloodguiltiness. Why Beneficial

The prophecy of Nahum illustrates some fundamental Bible principles. The opening words of the vision repeat God’s reason for giving the second of the Ten Commandments: “Jehovah is a God exacting exclusive devotion.” Immediately thereafter he makes known the certainty of his “taking vengeance against his adversaries.” Assyria’s cruel pride and pagan gods could not save her from the execution of Jehovah’s judgment. We can be confident that in due course Jehovah will likewise mete out justice to all the wicked. “Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power, and by no means will Jehovah hold back from punishing.” Thus Jehovah’s justice and supremacy are exalted against the background of his extermination of mighty Assyria. Nineveh did become “emptiness and voidness, and a city laid waste!”—1:2, 3; 2:10. In contrast to Nineveh’s being ‘entirely cut off,’ Nahum announces restoration for ‘the pride of Jacob and of Israel.’ Jehovah also sends happy tidings to his people: “Look! Upon the mountains

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace.” These tidings of peace have a connection with God’s Kingdom. How do we know this? It is apparent because of Isaiah’s use of the same expression, but to which he adds the words: “The one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!’” (Nah. 1:15; 2:2; Isa. 52:7) In turn, the apostle Paul at Romans 10:15 applies the expression to those whom Jehovah sends forth as Christian preachers of good news. These proclaim the “good news of the kingdom.” (Matt. 24:14) True to the meaning of his name, Nahum provides much comfort for all who seek the peace and salvation that come with God’s Kingdom. All of these will surely realize that ‘Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of distress for those seeking refuge in him.’—Nah. 1:7.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

An Introduction to the Book of Habakkuk

Habakkuk served as a prophet in Judah. From the book’s closing notation “To the director; with my stringed instruments” it has been inferred that Habakkuk may have been a temple musician. He wrote the book bearing his name about 628 B.C.E., some 20 years before the destruction of Jerusalem. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, who also served in Judah. The book of Habakkuk has three chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 present a dialogue between Habakkuk and Jehovah. The prophet expresses dismay over the violence, oppression and injustice that are prevalent in Judah. Jehovah declares that soon the Chaldeans will be used to punish the nation of Judah. Jehovah assures Habakkuk that this divine judgment on Judah will not be late, and that the Chaldeans will also be punished later for their own acts of cruelty and wickedness. Did you know? In Habakkuk’s day Jehovah's temple was in Jerusalem and the Davidic dynasty had ruled uninterrupted from there for over four centuries. Therefore, to the Jews back then, God’s allowing the Chaldeans to destroy the holy city was unthinkable. Chapter 3 is a prayer of Habakkuk that is expressed in songs of mourning. Habakkuk recalls past manifestations of Jehovah's power. Although distressed by the conditions around him, the prophet expresses confidence in Jehovah. Habakkuk declares “…as for me, I will exalt in Jehovah; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” As you read Habakkuk note how Jehovah is not indifferent to the suffering of his servants; how our confidence in Jehovah’s salvation helps us endure with joy; and how Jehovah's judgments by means of his kingdom will not be late.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Habakkuk

An answer to the question, Will God execute the wicked? Written evidently about 628 B.C.E., when the Chaldeans were rising in prominence but before Jehoiakim became their vassal Habakkuk cries out for help, asks how long God will allow the wicked to continue When Jehovah answers that He will raise up the Chaldeans as His instrument for punishment, Habakkuk cannot understand how the Holy One could countenance such a treacherous agent, one who makes a god of his war machine, whose dragnet gathers up men like fish, and who mercilessly kills peoples The prophet waits for Jehovah’s answer, recognizing that he is in line for reproof Jehovah replies that he has an appointed time, pronounces woe upon the Chaldean agency Jehovah gives the assurance that even though there might seem to be delay, the prophetic vision is “for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end,” eagerly moving toward its fulfillment Pronouncements of woe indicate that the Chaldean instrumentality would not remain unpunished for plundering other nations, cutting off many peoples, building cities by bloodshed, making others drink the cup of shameful defeat, and engaging in idolatry The prophet appeals for Jehovah to act and yet to show mercy during the coming day of distress Recalling past manifestations of Jehovah’s power, the prophet is seized with fear and trembling, but he is determined to wait quietly for the day of distress, exulting in the God of his salvation Even if the very means for supporting life were to fail, Habakkuk determines to rejoice in Jehovah as the God of salvation, the One who strengthens him

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

Habakkuk Outline of Contents

A book of the Hebrew Scriptures in eighth place among the so-called minor prophets in the Hebrew and Septuagint texts, as well as in common English Bibles. It is in two parts: (1) A dialogue between the writer and Jehovah (chaps 1, 2); (2) a prayer in dirges.—Chap 3. Date and Setting. The statement “Jehovah is in his holy temple” (Hab 2:20) and the note that follows Habakkuk 3:19 (“To the director on my stringed instruments”) indicate that Habakkuk prophesied before the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E. Also, Jehovah’s declaration “I am raising up the Chaldeans” (1:6) and the prophecy’s general tenor show that the Chaldeans, or Babylonians, had not yet desolated Jerusalem. But Habakkuk 1:17 may suggest that they had already begun to overthrow some nations. During the reign of Judah’s good king Josiah (659-629 B.C.E.), the Chaldeans and Medes took Nineveh (in 632 B.C.E.), and Babylon was then on its way toward becoming a world power.—Na 3:7. There are some who hold, in agreement with rabbinic tradition, that Habakkuk prophesied earlier, during the reign of King Manasseh of Judah. They believe that he was one of the prophets mentioned or alluded to at 2 Kings 21:10 and 2 Chronicles 33:10. They hold that the Babylonians were not yet a menace, which fact made Habakkuk’s prophecy more unbelievable to the Judeans.—See Hab 1:5, 6. On the other hand, in the early part of Jehoiakim’s reign, Judah was within the Egyptian sphere of influence (2Ki 23:34, 35), and this could also be a time when God’s raising up of the Chaldeans to punish the wayward inhabitants of Judah would be to them ‘an activity they would not believe, though it was related.’ (Hab 1:5, 6) Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish in 625 B.C.E., in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim’s reign. (Jer 46:2) So, Habakkuk may have prophesied and recorded the prophecy before that event, possibly completing the writing thereof about 628 B.C.E. in Judah. The use of the future tense regarding the Chaldean threat evidently indicates a date earlier than Jehoiakim’s vassalship to Babylon (620-618 B.C.E.).—2Ki 24:1.

Why Beneficial

Recognizing Habakkuk’s prophecy as beneficial for teaching, the apostle Paul quoted from chapter 2, verse 4, on three different occasions. When stressing that the good news is God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith, Paul wrote the Christians in Rome: “For in it God’s righteousness is being revealed by reason of faith and toward faith, just as it is written: ‘But the righteous one—by means of faith he will live.’” When writing the Galatians, Paul stressed the point that blessing comes through faith: “That by law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because ‘the righteous one will live by reason of faith.’” Paul also wrote in his letter to the Hebrews that Christians must show a live, soul-preserving faith, and he again referred to Jehovah’s words to Habakkuk. However, he quotes not only Habakkuk’s words, “my righteous one will live by reason of faith,” but also his further words according to the Greek Septuagint: “If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” Then he sums up by saying: We are “the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul.”—Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38, 39. Habakkuk’s prophecy is most beneficial today to Christians, who need vital energy. It teaches reliance upon God. It is also beneficial for warning others of God’s judgments. The warning lesson is forceful: Do not consider God’s judgments as being too delayed; they will “without fail come

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk

true.” (Hab. 2:3) Without fail the prophecy of Judah’s destruction by Babylon came true, and without fail Babylon itself was captured, the Medes and Persians taking the city in 539 B.C.E. What a warning to believe God’s words! Thus, the apostle Paul found it beneficial to quote Habakkuk when he warned the Jews of his day not to be faithless: “See to it that what is said in the Prophets does not come upon you, ‘Behold it, you scorners, and wonder at it, and vanish away, because I am working a work in your days, a work that you will by no means believe even if anyone relates it to you in detail.’” (Acts 13:40, 41; Hab. 1:5, LXX) The faithless Jews would not heed Paul, even as they had not believed Jesus’ warning of Jerusalem’s destruction; they suffered the consequences for their faithlessness when Rome’s armies devastated Jerusalem in 70 C.E.—Luke 19:41-44. Likewise, today, Habakkuk’s prophecy encourages Christians to hold strong faith, while living in a world filled with violence. It helps them to teach others and to answer the question people all over the world have asked, Will God execute vengeance on the wicked? Note again the words of the prophecy: “Keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Hab. 2:3) Whatever the commotions that occur in the earth, the anointed remnant of Kingdom heirs recall Habakkuk’s words concerning Jehovah’s past acts of vengeance: “You went forth for the salvation of your people, to save your anointed one.” (3:13) Jehovah is indeed their “Holy One,” from long ago, and the “Rock” who will reprove the unrighteous and give life to those whom he embraces in his love. All who love righteousness may rejoice in his Kingdom and sovereignty, saying: “As for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. Jehovah the Sovereign Lord is my vital energy.”—1:12; 3:18, 19

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk - Treasures from God's Word

Treasures from God’s Word

Nahum 1 - Habakkuk 3 Remain Spiritually Alert and Active

The impending destruction of Judah by the Babylonians may have seemed unlikely. Judah was under the powerful influence of Egypt. The Chaldeans were not stronger than Egypt, were they? In addition, it was unthinkable to many Jews that Jehovah would allow Jerusalem and its temple to be destroyed. Nonetheless, the prophecy would come true, and Habakkuk needed to keep in expectation of it by remaining spiritually alert and active. What convinces me that the end of this system of things is very near? How can I remain spiritually alert and active? In order to survive the coming day of Jehovah’s judgment, we must “keep in expectation of it”. Nahum – Chapter Summary 1 God’s vengeance against his foes (1-7) God requires exclusive devotion (2) Jehovah mindful of those seeking refuge in him (7) Nineveh to be exterminated (8-14) Distress not to arise a second time (9) Good news proclaimed for Judah (15) 2 Nineveh to be ruined (1-13) “The gates of the rivers will be opened” (6) 3 “Woe to the city of bloodshed!” (1-19) Reasons for Nineveh’s judgment (1-7) Nineveh to fall like No-amon (8-12) Nineveh’s fall inevitable (13-19) Habakkuk - Chapter Summary 1 The prophet’s cry for help (1-4) “How long, O Jehovah?” (2) “Why do you tolerate oppression?” (3) The Chaldeans, God’s tool for judgment (5-11) The prophet pleads with Jehovah (12-17) ‘My God, you do not die’ (12) ‘You are too pure to look at evil’ (13)

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk - Treasures from God's Word

2 ‘I will keep watch as to what he will speak’ (1) Jehovah’s answer to the prophet (2-20) ‘Keep in expectation of the vision’ (3) The righteous will live by faithfulness (4) Five woes for the Chaldeans (6-20) Knowledge of Jehovah will fill the earth (14) 3 The prophet prays for Jehovah to act (1-19) God will save his anointed people (13) Exulting in Jehovah despite distress (17, 18)

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk -WT Library References

WT Library Highlights Nahum Chapters 1-3 (Nahum 1:1) A pronouncement against Ninʹe·veh: The book of the vision of Naʹhum the Elʹkosh·ite:

*** it-1 p. 719 Elkoshite ***

(Elʹkosh·ite) [Of (Belonging to) Elkosh]. A resident of Elkosh. “Elkoshite” is applied only to the prophet Nahum. (Na 1:1) Some would place Elkosh in Galilee. However, Nahum may have been in Judah at the time he wrote the book bearing his name. (Na 1:15) If so, this would make the suggested identity with Judean site Beit Jibrin (Bet Guvrin), about 6 km (3.5 mi) NE of Lachish, the most likely proposal. The identification, however, remains tentative.

*** si p. 159 par. 3 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** 3 Nahum’s prophecy, though short, is packed with interest. All that we know of the prophet himself is contained in the opening verse: “The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.”

*** si p. 158 par. 1 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** “THE pronouncement against Nineveh.” (Nah. 1:1) Nahum’s prophecy opens with these ominous words.

*** w88 2/15 p. 24 Part 2—Cruel Assyria—The Second Great World Power *** The book of Nahum opens with the words: “The pronouncement against Nineveh,” the capital of Assyria. Why? Because, as the prophet Nahum later describes, Nineveh was a “city of bloodshed . . . all full of deception and of robbery.” (Nahum 1:1; 3:1) Was he exaggerating? Far from it!

*** w88 2/15 p. 25 Part 2—Cruel Assyria—The Second Great World Power *** When Nineveh fell, its destruction was so thorough that for centuries even its site was forgotten. Some critics ridiculed the Bible, saying this city never existed. But exist it did! It was rediscovered, and what archaeologists found there was exciting indeed! (Nahum 1:2) Jehovah is a God who requires exclusive devotion and takes vengeance; Jehovah takes vengeance and is ready to express his wrath. Jehovah takes vengeance against his foes, And he stores up wrath for his enemies.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk -WT Library References

*** si p. 160 par. 11 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** 11 The prophecy of Nahum illustrates some fundamental Bible principles. The opening words of the vision repeat God’s reason for giving the second of the Ten Commandments: “Jehovah is a God exacting exclusive devotion.” Immediately thereafter he makes known the certainty of his “taking vengeance against his adversaries.” Assyria’s cruel pride and pagan gods could not save her from the execution of Jehovah’s judgment. We can be confident that in due course Jehovah will likewise mete out justice to all the wicked. “Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power, and by no means will Jehovah hold back from punishing.” Thus Jehovah’s justice and supremacy are exalted against the background of his extermination of mighty Assyria. Nineveh did become “emptiness and voidness, and a city laid waste!”—1:2, 3; 2:10. (Nahum 1:3) Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power, But by no means will Jehovah hold back due punishment. His path is in destructive wind and storm, And the clouds are the dust of his feet.

*** cl chap. 4 p. 45 par. 20 “Jehovah Is . . . Great in Power” *** 20 Imagine meeting a man so huge and powerful that you feel intimidated by him. However, in time you notice that he seems gentle. He is ever ready and eager to use his power to help and protect people, especially the defenseless and vulnerable. He never abuses his strength. You see him slandered without cause, yet his demeanor is firm but calm, dignified, even kind. You find yourself wondering if you would be able to show the same gentleness and restraint, especially if you were that strong! As you come to know such a man, would you not begin to feel drawn to him? We have far more reason for drawing close to the almighty Jehovah. Consider the full sentence that is the basis for the title of this chapter: “Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power.” (Nahum 1:3) Jehovah is not quick to use his power against people, not even the wicked. He is mild-tempered and kind. He has proved to be “slow to anger” in the face of many provocations.—Psalm 78:37- 41.

*** w01 11/1 p. 8 par. 4 Jehovah Is a God of Long-Suffering *** 4 In the Hebrew Scriptures, the notion of long-suffering is expressed by two Hebrew words that literally mean “length of nostrils” and are rendered “slow to anger” in the New World Translation. Speaking of God’s long-suffering, the prophet Nahum said: “Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power, and by no means will Jehovah hold back from punishing.” (Nahum 1:3) Hence, Jehovah’s long-suffering is not a sign of weakness and is not without limits. The fact that the almighty God is at once slow to anger and great in power shows that his long-suffering is the result of purposeful restraint. He has the power to punish, but he deliberately refrains from immediately doing so in order to give the wrongdoer the opportunity to change. (Ezekiel 18:31, 32) Jehovah’s long-suffering is, therefore, an expression of his love, and it demonstrates his wisdom in the use of his power. (Nahum 1:4) He rebukes the sea, and he dries it up; And he makes all the rivers run dry. Baʹshan and Carʹmel wither, And the blossoms of Lebʹa·non wither.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk -WT Library References

*** w89 5/1 pp. 16-17 Bashan—A Fertile Source *** In following that schedule, you will find Bashan mentioned in three texts. (Micah 7:14; Nahum 1:4; Zechariah 11:2) Those and other interesting verses will mean more if you can see Bashan with your mind’s eye. Where was Bashan? Well, you can generally identify it with the Golan Heights, which you may have noted on newspaper maps. Bashan was east of both the Sea of Galilee and the upper Jordan Valley. It basically ran from the Yarmuk River (part of the current border between Jordan and Syria) north to Mount Hermon. Before the ancient Israelites entered the Promised Land, they had to defeat the Canaanite army of giant Og, king of Bashan. After that, much of Bashan was occupied by the tribe of Manasseh. (Deuteronomy 3:1-7, 11, 13; Numbers 32:33; 34:14) What was this Biblical area like? Though it had forests in its mountainous areas, most of Bashan was a plateau, high tableland. In many respects Bashan was a veritable breadbasket. This was because fine grazing- or pasture-land covered much of the region. (Jeremiah 50:19) The accompanying photographs may bring to your mind some Biblical references to Bashan. Many have read about the “bulls of Bashan.” (Psalm 22:12, King James Version) Yes, in ancient times this region was famous for its cattle, including powerful young bulls. But other livestock thrived there too, such as sheep and goats that contributed to a rich supply of milk and butter.— Deuteronomy 32:14. You may wonder what led to such fertility in Bashan, since it was east of the Jordan in an area many think of as very dry. The fact is, the hills of Galilee to the west are lower, so clouds from the Mediterranean could pass over them and bring ample rain to Bashan. Moreover, moist air and streams came down from Mount Hermon. Imagine the potential when that precious moisture combined with the rich volcanic soil found in Bashan! The area produced grain in abundance. Long before being a major granary for the Romans, Bashan supplied food for Solomon’s tables. With good reason, then, God’s provision for his delivered people could later be spoken of this way: “Let them feed on Bashan and Gilead as in the days of a long time ago.”—Micah 7:14; 1 Kings 4:7, 13. Knowing of such fruitfulness, you can appreciate Nahum’s poignant description of what God’s disfavor would bring: “Bashan and Carmel [verdant hills near the Great Sea] have withered, and the very blossom of Lebanon has withered.”—Nahum 1:4b. This overview of Bashan can help you to picture more easily some close-up scenes in the Bible too. For example, you have likely read about harvesting grain, such as wheat that grew in much of Bashan. The wheat harvest came in the warm months of Iyyar and Sivan (Jewish calendar, corresponding to late April, May, and early June). During this period, the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost) occurred. As part of it, the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were offered up, and lambs, rams, and a bull were sacrificed. Might the animals have been brought from Bashan?—Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:15-18. At harvesttime workers cut the standing wheat with a curved sickle like the one made of iron seen above, which lacks its wooden handle. (Deuteronomy 16:9, 10; 23:25) The stalks were then gathered and taken to a threshing floor, where a wooden sledge (having stones fixed underneath) was driven over them to remove the kernels. (Ruth 2:2-7, 23; 3:3, 6; Isaiah 41:15) While you look at the photograph of this, taken in the Golan Heights, you might reflect on God’s meaningful rule: “You must not muzzle a bull while it is threshing.”— Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:9.

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Index Highlights from the Books of Nahum & Habakkuk -WT Library References

Finally, recall that ancient Bashan had areas of thick forest, many of the trees being massive oaks, such as shown to the left. The Phoenicians made oars out of sturdy oak wood from Bashan. (Ezekiel 27:6) Yet, even such ‘massive trees of Bashan, the impenetrable forest,’ could not stand against God’s expressed wrath. (Zechariah 11:2; Isaiah 2:13) Seeing such trees also makes it easier to visualize why such forests would be a problem for a fleeing army. Even a lone rider could get caught in the branches, as Absalom did elsewhere.—2 Samuel 18:8, 9. We can see that even though Bashan was a region of the Promised Land where not too many events of Biblical note took place, scenes from it do enhance our understanding of Bible references to it.

*** w89 5/15 p. 24 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 1:4—Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon were regions of beauty, fertility, and fruitfulness. For them to wither would spell tragedy for those dependent on them. This emphasizes the severity of the outpouring of Jehovah’s wrath. (Nahum 1:5) Mountains quake because of him, And the hills melt. The earth will be in an upheaval because of his face, Along with the land and all those dwelling in it.

*** re chap. 18 p. 111 par. 24 Earthquakes in the Lord’s Day *** 24 In Bible prophecy, mountains and islands are said to rock or be otherwise destabilized at times of great political upheaval. For example, when foretelling Jehovah’s judgments against Nineveh, the prophet Nahum wrote: “Mountains themselves have rocked because of him, and the very hills found themselves melting. And the earth will be upheaved because of his face.” (Nahum 1:5) There is no record of any breaking up of literal mountains when Nineveh actually fell in 632 B.C.E. But a world power that previously had seemed mountainlike in its strength suddenly collapsed.—Compare Jeremiah 4:24. (Nahum 1:9) What will you plot against Jehovah? He is causing a complete extermination. Distress will not arise a second time.

*** w07 11/15 p. 9 par. 1 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 1:9—What will “an outright extermination” of Nineveh mean for Judah? It will mean permanent relief from Assyria; “distress will not rise up a second time.” Speaking as if Nineveh were no more, Nahum writes: “Look! Upon the mountains the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace. O Judah, celebrate your festivals.”—Nahum 1:15.

*** si p. 160 par. 8 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** Nonetheless, Jehovah is a stronghold for those who seek refuge in him. But Nineveh is doomed. She will be exterminated by a flood, and “distress will not rise up a second time.” (1:9)

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(Nahum 1:10) For they are interwoven like thorns, And they are like those drunk with beer; But they will be consumed like dry stubble.

*** w89 5/15 p. 24 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 1:10—Nineveh considered herself to be as impenetrable as interwoven thorns, and she was drunk with ambition. But she would be devoured as easily as fire eats dry stubble. Likewise, the enemies of God’s modern-day people will not withstand Jehovah’s fiery judgments. (Nahum 1:14) Jehovah has commanded concerning you, ‘Your name will not be perpetuated further. I will do away with the carved images and metal statues from the house of your gods. I will make a grave for you, because you are contemptible.’

*** w01 11/15 p. 26 The Scythians—A Mysterious People of the Past *** The Scythians were involved in the fulfillment of Nahum’s prophecy foretelling the overthrow of Nineveh. (Nahum 1:1, 14) The Chaldeans, the Scythians, and the Medes sacked Nineveh in 632 B.C.E., causing the downfall of the Assyrian Empire. (Nahum 1:15) Look! On the mountains are the feet of one bringing good news, The one proclaiming peace. Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, pay your vows, For the worthless one will never pass through you again. He will be utterly destroyed.”

*** it-1 pp. 281-282 Belial *** Indicating that the enemy power would no longer interfere with the carrying out of true worship by his people in their land, Jehovah declared through his prophet: “No more will any good-for-nothing person pass again through you. In his entirety he will certainly be cut off.”—Na 1:15;

*** it-2 p. 462 Nahum ***

(Naʹhum) [Comforter [that is, an encourager]]. 1. An Israelite prophet of the seventh century B.C.E. and the writer of the book bearing his name. Nahum may have been in Judah at the time he recorded his prophecy. (Na 1:15) His being an Elkoshite evidently means that he was a resident of Elkosh, possibly a city or village of Judah.—Na 1:1; see ELKOSHITE.

*** it-2 p. 463 Nahum, Book of *** Since Judah had thus suffered long under the heavy hand of Assyria, Nahum’s prophecy regarding Nineveh’s imminent destruction was good news. As if Assyria had already experienced its downfall, Nahum wrote: “Look! Upon the mountains the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace. O Judah, celebrate your festivals. Pay your vows; because no more will any good-for-nothing person pass again through you. In his entirety he will certainly be cut off.” (Na 1:15) No longer would there be any interference from the Assyrians; nothing would hinder the Judeans from attending or celebrating the festivals. The deliverance from the Assyrian oppressor would be complete. (Compare Na 1:9.)

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*** jd chap. 13 p. 178 par. 22 “Proclaim This, You People, Among the Nations” *** You can rest assured that “the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace,” are beautiful in the eyes of those who appreciatively accept the good news. But more than anything else, they are beautiful in Jehovah’s eyes. (Nahum 1:15; Isaiah 52:7)

*** si p. 160 par. 12 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** 12 In contrast to Nineveh’s being ‘entirely cut off,’ Nahum announces restoration for ‘the pride of Jacob and of Israel.’ Jehovah also sends happy tidings to his people: “Look! Upon the mountains the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace.” These tidings of peace have a connection with God’s Kingdom. How do we know this? It is apparent because of Isaiah’s use of the same expression, but to which he adds the words: “The one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!’” (Nah. 1:15; 2:2; Isa. 52:7) In turn, the apostle Paul at Romans 10:15 applies the expression to those whom Jehovah sends forth as Christian preachers of good news. These proclaim the “good news of the kingdom.” (Matt. 24:14)

*** si p. 160 par. 8 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** In refreshing contrast, there is good news for Judah! What is it? A publisher of peace calls on them to celebrate their festivals and pay their vows, for the enemy, the “good-for- nothing person,” is doomed. “In his entirety he will certainly be cut off.”—1:15. (Nahum 2:1) One who scatters has come up against you. Guard the fortifications. Keep watch over the road. Brace yourselves and muster all your strength.

*** it-1 p. 1121 Hips *** Strengthening the hips would denote getting ready to exert power, as for a fight. (Na 2:1) (Nahum 2:4) The war chariots race madly through the streets. They rush up and down the public squares. They shine like burning torches and flash like lightning.

*** it-2 p. 255 Lightning *** Lightning (Heb., ba·raqʹ) is used figuratively to represent the glittering of polished metal. (De 32:41, ftn; Eze 21:10, ftn; Na 3:3; Hab 3:11) At Nahum 2:4 either the glitter or the great speed of the enemy chariots on Nineveh’s streets is meant by the words, “Like the lightnings they keep running.” And the radiant faces or appearance of angelic creatures is compared to lightning.—Da 10:5, 6; Mt 28:2, 3; see also Eze 1:14. (Nahum 2:6) The gates of the rivers will be opened, And the palace will be dissolved.

*** w07 11/15 p. 9 par. 2 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 2:6—What “gates of the rivers” were opened? These gates referred to the opening made in the walls of Nineveh by the waters of the Tigris River. In 632 B.C.E. when the joint forces of the Babylonians and the Medes came up against Nineveh, she did not feel

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particularly threatened. Secure behind her high walls, she considered herself to be an impenetrable city. However, heavy rains caused the Tigris to overflow. According to historian Diodorus, this “both inundated a portion of the city and broke down the walls for a distance.” The river gates were thus opened, and as foretold, Nineveh was taken as quickly as fire devours dry stubble.—Nahum 1:8-10.

*** w89 5/15 p. 24 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 2:6—Because of heavy rains at the time of the assault upon Nineveh, the Tigris River overflowed. This inundated a portion of the city and broke down a section of the wall. Thus, it was easy for the conquerors to take the Assyrian capital. (Nahum 2:8) Throughout her days Ninʹe·veh was like a pool of waters, But now they are fleeing. “Stand still! Stand still!” But no one is turning back.

*** g 12/10 p. 28 A Book You Can Trust—Part 2 *** Furthermore, God’s prophet Nahum foretold that Nineveh would be plundered, its gates would be opened to its enemies, and its guards would flee. (Nahum 2:8, 9; 3:7, 13, 17, 19) The Bible prophet Zephaniah wrote that the city would become “a desolate waste.”— Zephaniah 2:13-15. Those prophecies of destruction were fulfilled in 632 B.C.E. That is when Nineveh fell to the combined forces of the Babylonians and the Medes, bringing the Assyrian Empire to an inglorious end. A Babylonian chronicle of that event states that the conquerors “carried off the vast booty of the city and the temple” and turned Nineveh “into a ruin heap.” Today the desolate waste that was once Nineveh is marked by mounds of ruins on the east bank of the Tigris River, opposite the city of Mosul, in Iraq. (Nahum 2:9) Plunder silver, plunder gold! There is no end to the treasures. It is stocked with all sorts of precious things.

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silver and gold, the city would be laid waste, and people would say: “Nineveh has been despoiled! Who will sympathize with her?”—Nahum 2:6-10; 3:7. Did this happen too? Let Nineveh’s conquerors answer. In 632 B.C.E. the Babylonians and the Medes wreaked bitter vengeance on the Assyrian capital. Babylon’s chronicles report: “The great spoil of the city and temple they carried off and [turned] the city into a ruin-mound.” Two great mounds now mark the site of this once proud capital. They are a silent testimony to the fact that no nation—not even proud and violent Assyria—can block the sure fulfillment of Jehovah’s prophecies. (Nahum 2:10) The city is empty, desolate, devastated! Their hearts melt in fear, their knees buckle, their hips tremble; All their faces are flushed.

*** it-1 p. 958 Assyrian Empire *** [Pictures on page 958] True to Bible prophecy, Nineveh (the mound of Kuyunjik in the foreground) became “a city laid waste.” (Na 2:10) The Gadd Chronicle (above) relates details of the Babylonian sacking of the once great city

*** w88 2/15 p. 28 Part 2—Cruel Assyria—The Second Great World Power *** End of a World Power Because of Assyria’s wickedness, its destruction had been decreed. Jehovah’s prophet Nahum had written that its capital Nineveh would be breached at the “gates of the rivers . . . and the palace itself [would] actually be dissolved.” There would be a plundering of silver and gold, the city would be laid waste, and people would say: “Nineveh has been despoiled! Who will sympathize with her?”—Nahum 2:6-10; 3:7. Did this happen too? Let Nineveh’s conquerors answer. In 632 B.C.E. the Babylonians and the Medes wreaked bitter vengeance on the Assyrian capital. Babylon’s chronicles report: “The great spoil of the city and temple they carried off and [turned] the city into a ruin-mound.” Two great mounds now mark the site of this once proud capital. They are a silent testimony to the fact that no nation—not even proud and violent Assyria—can block the sure fulfillment of Jehovah’s prophecies. (Nahum 2:11) Where is the lair of lions, where the young lions feed, Where the lion goes out leading its cub, With no one to make them afraid?

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had rebelled. . . . Many captives from among them I burned with fire, and many I took as living captives. From some I cut off their hands and their fingers, and from others I cut off their noses, their ears, and their fingers(?), of many I put out the eyes. I made one pillar of the living, and another of heads, and I bound their heads to posts (tree trunks) round about the city. Their young men and maidens I burned in the fire . . . Twenty men I captured alive and I immured them in the wall of his palace. . . . The rest of them [their warriors] I consumed with thirst in the desert of the Euphrates.”—Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, by D. D. Luckenbill, 1926, Vol. I, pp. 145, 147, 153, 162. Reliefs often show their captives being led by cords attached to hooks that pierced the nose or the lips, or having their eyes put out at the point of a spear. Thus, sadistic torture was a frequent feature of Assyrian warfare, about which they shamelessly boasted and which they carefully recorded. The knowledge of their cruelty doubtless served them to an advantage militarily, striking terror into the hearts of those in their line of attack and often causing resistance to crumble. Assyria’s capital, Nineveh, was aptly described by the prophet Nahum as a “lair of lions” and as “the city of bloodshed.”—Na 2:11, 12; 3:1.

*** it-1 p. 955 Assyrian Empire *** [Picture on page 955] From a palace wall in Nimrud. Lion hunting was a sport of Assyrian kings; Nineveh itself was referred to as “the lair of lions” (Na 2:11)

*** g 12/10 pp. 26-27 A Book You Can Trust—Part 2 *** Trustworthy History The Bible prophet Nahum described Nineveh as “the lair of lions” and “the city of bloodshed.” He added: “Prey does not depart! There is the sound of the whip and the sound of the rattling of the wheel, and the dashing horse and the leaping chariot. The mounted horseman, and the flame of the sword, and the lightning of the spear, and the multitude of slain ones, and the heavy mass of carcasses; and there is no end to the dead bodies. They keep stumbling among their dead bodies.” (Nahum 2:11; 3:1-3) Does secular history corroborate the Bible’s description of ancient Assyria? The book Light From the Ancient Past calls Assyria “the ruthless fighting machine whose calculated frightfulness was the terror of its enemies.” The following is the way one Assyrian king, Ashurnasirpal II, boasted of his treatment of those who opposed him: “I built a pillar over against his city gate, and I flayed all the chief men who had revolted, and I covered the pillar with their skins; some I walled up within the pillar, some I impaled upon the pillar on stakes, . . . and I cut off the limbs of the officers, of the royal officers who had rebelled. . . . Many captives from among them I burned with fire, and many I took as living captives.” When archaeologists excavated Assyrian royal palaces, they found the walls decorated with depictions of horrendous treatment being meted out to captives.

*** si p. 159 par. 6 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** What has been unearthed in Nineveh? Much that supports the accuracy of Nahum’s prophecy! For example, her monuments and inscriptions testify to her cruelties, and there are the remains of colossal statues of winged bulls and lions. No wonder Nahum spoke of her as “the lair of lions”!—2:11.

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*** w89 5/15 p. 24 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 2:11-13—Like wild beasts, the Assyrians terrorized and preyed upon the nations. It also seems that the lion was a national emblem. Many statues of lions were found in Nineveh’s ruins. (Nahum 2:13) “Look! I am against you,” declares Jehovah of armies, “I will burn up her war chariots in smoke, And the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, And the sound of your messengers will be heard no more.”

*** si p. 160 par. 9 Bible Book Number 34—Nahum *** Now we get a prophetic view of the battle. The Ninevites stumble and hasten to defend the wall but to no avail. The river gates open, the palace dissolves, and the slave girls moan and beat upon their hearts. The fleeing men are commanded to stand still, but no one turns back. The city is plundered and laid waste. Hearts melt. Where now is this lair of lions? The lion has filled his cave with prey for his whelps, but Jehovah declares: “Look! I am against you.” (2:13) Yes, Jehovah will burn up Nineveh’s war machine, send a sword to devour her young lions, and cut off her prey from the earth. (Nahum 3:1) Woe to the city of bloodshed! She is completely full of deception and robbery. She is never without prey!

*** it-1 p. 201 Assyria *** Militarism. Assyria was essentially a military power, and the historical picture left of its exploits is one of great cruelty and rapaciousness. (PICTURES, Vol. 1, p. 958) One of their warrior monarchs, Ashurnasirpal, describes his punishment of several rebellious cities in this way: “I built a pillar over against his city gate, and I flayed all the chief men who had revolted, and I covered the pillar with their skins; some I walled up within the pillar, some I impaled upon the pillar on stakes, . . . and I cut off the limbs of the officers, of the royal officers who had rebelled. . . . Many captives from among them I burned with fire, and many I took as living captives. From some I cut off their hands and their fingers, and from others I cut off their noses, their ears, and their fingers(?), of many I put out the eyes. I made one pillar of the living, and another of heads, and I bound their heads to posts (tree trunks) round about the city. Their young men and maidens I burned in the fire . . . Twenty men I captured alive and I immured them in the wall of his palace. . . . The rest of them [their warriors] I consumed with thirst in the desert of the Euphrates.”—Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, by D. D. Luckenbill, 1926, Vol. I, pp. 145, 147, 153, 162. Reliefs often show their captives being led by cords attached to hooks that pierced the nose or the lips, or having their eyes put out at the point of a spear. Thus, sadistic torture was a frequent feature of Assyrian warfare, about which they shamelessly boasted and which they carefully recorded. The knowledge of their cruelty doubtless served them to an advantage militarily, striking terror into the hearts of those in their line of attack and often causing resistance to crumble. Assyria’s capital, Nineveh, was aptly described by the prophet Nahum as a “lair of lions” and as “the city of bloodshed.”—Na 2:11, 12; 3:1.

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*** it-1 p. 954 Assyrian Empire *** Nineveh: Primary capital of the empire, made architecturally magnificent by Sennacherib but a “city of bloodshed.”—Na 3:1

*** it-2 p. 463 Nahum, Book of *** The military aggressiveness of the Assyrians made Nineveh a “city of bloodshed.” (Na 3:1) Cruel and inhuman was the treatment meted out to captives of her wars. Some were burned or skinned alive. Others were blinded or had their noses, ears, or fingers cut off. Frequently, captives were led by cords attached to hooks that pierced the nose or lips. Truly Nineveh deserved to be destroyed for her bloodguiltiness.

*** w13 4/1 p. 10 Did You Know? *** Why was ancient Nineveh called “the city of bloodshed”? Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It was a mighty city with magnificent palaces and temples, broad streets, and massive walls. The Hebrew prophet Nahum referred to it as “the city of bloodshed.”—Nahum 3:1. That was an apt description, for reliefs from Sennacherib’s palace in Nineveh attest to Assyrian cruelty. One depicts a torturer wrenching the tongue out of a prisoner who had been pinned to the ground. Inscriptions boast that captives were led by cords attached to hooks piercing their noses or lips. Captive officials were made to wear around their necks the severed heads of their kings, like grotesque necklaces. Assyriologist Archibald Henry Sayce describes the barbarities that followed the capture of a town: “Pyramids of human heads marked the path of the conqueror; boys and girls were burned alive or reserved for a worse fate; men were impaled, flayed alive, blinded, or deprived of their hands and feet, of their ears and noses.”

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*** w88 2/15 pp. 24-25 Part 2—Cruel Assyria—The Second Great World Power *** The book of Nahum opens with the words: “The pronouncement against Nineveh,” the capital of Assyria. Why? Because, as the prophet Nahum later describes, Nineveh was a “city of bloodshed . . . all full of deception and of robbery.” (Nahum 1:1; 3:1) Was he exaggerating? Far from it! The Assyrians had an unparalleled reputation for brutality. Decorations in their own great palaces showed them pillaging, burning, and destroying in one country after another. Their king Ashurnasirpal boasts of covering a pillar with skins of his enemies. He says: “Many captives from among them I burned with fire . . . From some I cut off their noses, their ears and their fingers, of many I put out the eyes. I made one pillar of the living and another of heads.” (Nahum 3:4) This is because of the many acts of prostitution of the prostitute, She who is attractive and charming, a mistress of sorceries, Who ensnares nations by her prostitution and families by her sorceries.

*** w07 11/15 p. 9 par. 3 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 3:4—How was Nineveh like a prostitute? Nineveh deceived nations by promising them friendship and help but actually bringing upon them the yoke of oppression. For example, Assyria gave Judean King Ahaz some help against the Syro-Israelite conspiracy. Eventually, though, “the king of Assyria came against [Ahaz] and caused him distress.”— 2 Chronicles 28:20.

*** w89 5/15 p. 24 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 3:3, 4—Like a prostitute, Nineveh deceived nations with soothing offers of friendship and promises of help. But those thus ensnared soon experienced pain under her oppressive yoke, as shown in the case of Judean king Ahaz.—2 Chronicles 28:16, 20, 21. (Nahum 3:6) And I will throw filth on you And make you despicable; I will make a spectacle of you.

*** it-1 p. 634 Disgusting Thing, also Loathsome Thing *** At Nahum 3:6, the prophecy against Assyria’s capital, Nineveh, foretells the end of her political and international prostitutions and that Jehovah would “throw disgusting things [Heb., shiq·qu·tsimʹ]” on her. Such disgusting things evidently refer, not to idolatrous objects, but to things generally unclean or repulsive, as dirt and filth, thereby making the rapacious city despicable in the eyes of all. (Na 3:4-7) (Nahum 3:7) Everyone who sees you will flee from you and say, ‘Ninʹe·veh has been devastated! Who will sympathize with her?’ Where will I find comforters for you?

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Zephaniah 2:13-15. Those prophecies of destruction were fulfilled in 632 B.C.E. That is when Nineveh fell to the combined forces of the Babylonians and the Medes, bringing the Assyrian Empire to an inglorious end. A Babylonian chronicle of that event states that the conquerors “carried off the vast booty of the city and the temple” and turned Nineveh “into a ruin heap.” Today the desolate waste that was once Nineveh is marked by mounds of ruins on the east bank of the Tigris River, opposite the city of Mosul, in Iraq.

*** w93 5/15 p. 5 How Reliable Are Bible Predictions? *** In time it was Assyria’s turn to march into history. Its capital was Nineveh, so infamous for cruel treatment of captives that it was called “the city of bloodshed.” (Nahum 3:1) Jehovah God himself had decreed Nineveh’s ruin. For instance, through the prophet Nahum, God said: “Look! I am against you . . . I will make you despicable; and I will set you as a spectacle. And it must occur that everyone seeing you will flee away from you and will certainly say, ‘Nineveh has been despoiled!’” (Nahum 3:5-7) Zephaniah also foretold the destruction of Assyria and the desolating of Nineveh. (Zephaniah 2:13-15) These prophecies were fulfilled in 632 B.C.E. when, surprisingly, the combined forces of Babylonian king Nabopolassar and Cyaxares the Mede plundered and razed Nineveh—so thoroughly that even the location of the city became unknown for over 2,000 years. The Babylonian Empire was next on the world stage.

*** w88 2/15 p. 28 Part 2—Cruel Assyria—The Second Great World Power *** End of a World Power Because of Assyria’s wickedness, its destruction had been decreed. Jehovah’s prophet Nahum had written that its capital Nineveh would be breached at the “gates of the rivers . . . and the palace itself [would] actually be dissolved.” There would be a plundering of silver and gold, the city would be laid waste, and people would say: “Nineveh has been despoiled! Who will sympathize with her?”—Nahum 2:6-10; 3:7. Did this happen too? Let Nineveh’s conquerors answer. In 632 B.C.E. the Babylonians and the Medes wreaked bitter vengeance on the Assyrian capital. Babylon’s chronicles report: “The great spoil of the city and temple they carried off and [turned] the city into a ruin-mound.” Two great mounds now mark the site of this once proud capital. They are a silent testimony to the fact that no nation—not even proud and violent Assyria—can block the sure fulfillment of Jehovah’s prophecies. (Nahum 3:8) Are you better than No-aʹmon, which sat by the Nile canals? Waters surrounded her; Her wealth was the sea and her wall was the sea.

*** it-1 p. 97 Amon *** A number of adversities came to Thebes and her god Amon. Two of these are mentioned in the Scriptures. In the seventh century B.C.E., the conquering Assyrians under the command of Ashurbanipal razed Thebes to the ground, stripping her of all her wealth. The prophet Nahum refers to this event, using it as an illustration of Nineveh’s coming destruction. (Na 3:8)

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*** it-2 p. 506 No, No-Amon *** Center of priesthood. Even when administrative control shifted to other sites, No- amon (Thebes) continued to be a wealthy and prominent city, the center of the powerful priesthood of Amon, whose chief priest ranked next to Pharaoh himself in power and wealth. But in the seventh century B.C.E., Assyrian aggression spread into Egypt during the rule of Assyrian King Esar-haddon. His son and successor Ashurbanipal renewed the conquest, reaching Thebes and thoroughly sacking the city. It is evidently to this devastation that the prophet Nahum referred when warning Nineveh, Assyria’s capital, about a destruction of similar magnitude. (Na 3:7-10) No-amon’s defenses, stretching across the road from Palestine and on up the Nile, failed, and the riches from her commercial traffic and religious temples became the prize of the ransacking Assyrians.

*** g90 6/22 p. 26 Meroë—Testimony to Forgotten Grandeur *** A half century later, Ethiopian dominance of the Nile Valley ended when Assyria completely subjugated Egypt.—Nahum 3:8

*** w89 5/15 pp. 24-25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** Like a lair of lions, this heavily fortified city seemed secure behind its thick walls. But by God’s decree, Nineveh would suffer the same fate she had meted out to ancient No-amon, or Thebes, on the Nile River. For her sins, Assyria’s capital would be laid waste. This prophecy was fulfilled when the combined forces of Babylonian king Nabopolassar and Cyaxares the Mede captured Nineveh in 632 B.C.E.—2:3–3:19. (Nahum 3:9) E·thi·oʹpi·a was her source of boundless strength, also Egypt. Put and the Libʹy·ans were your helpers.

*** g90 6/22 p. 26 Meroë—Testimony to Forgotten Grandeur *** A half century later, Ethiopian dominance of the Nile Valley ended when Assyria completely subjugated Egypt.—Nahum 3:8-10; (Nahum 3:10) But even she became an exile; She went into captivity. Her children also were dashed to pieces on every street corner. They cast lots over her honored men, And all her great men have been bound with fetters.

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*** g90 6/22 p. 26 Meroë—Testimony to Forgotten Grandeur *** A half century later, Ethiopian dominance of the Nile Valley ended when Assyria completely subjugated Egypt.—Nahum 3:8-10; (Nahum 3:12) All your fortifications are like fig trees with the first ripe fruits; If they are shaken, they will fall into the mouth of devourers.

*** it-1 p. 830 Fig *** Early and Late Crops. There are, basically, two crops of figs produced annually by the trees: the first ripe figs, or early figs (Heb., bik·ku·rahʹ), which mature in June or early July (Isa 28:4; Jer 24:2; Ho 9:10), and the later figs, which grow on the new wood and make up the main crop, generally maturing from August onward. The early figs may be easily shaken from the tree when ripe, and they are prized for their delicate flavor.—Na 3:12. (Nahum 3:14) Draw water for the siege! Strengthen your fortifications. Go down into the mire and tread the clay; Grab hold of the brick mold.

*** it-1 p. 366 Brick *** The mixture of mud or clay and straw was moistened with water, trampled underfoot, and then molded by hand or pressed into a four-sided wooden “brick mold.” (Heb., mal·benʹ; Na 3:14) The sides of the molds were probably dusted with dry earth so that the molds could be slipped off easily. (Nahum 3:16) You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the heavens. The young locust strips off its skin and flies away.

*** it-2 p. 261 Locust *** When describing Assyria’s military men, Nahum 3:16 mentions the locust’s stripping off of its skin. The locust sheds its skin five times to reach adult size. (Nahum 3:17) Your guards are like the locust, And your officers like a locust swarm. They camp in the stone pens on a cold day, But when the sun shines, they fly away; And no one knows where they are.

*** it-2 p. 261 Locust *** At Nahum 3:17 the Assyrian guardsmen and recruiting officers are compared to locusts that camp in stone pens during a cold day but flee when the sun shines forth. The allusion here may be to the fact that cold weather makes the insects numb, causing them to hide in the crevices of walls until such time as they are warmed by the sun’s rays, after which they fly away. It is reported that not until their bodies reach about 21° C. (70° F.) can locusts fly. (Nahum 3:19) There is no relief for your catastrophe. Your wound is beyond healing. All those hearing the report about you will clap their hands; For who has not suffered from your relentless cruelty?”

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*** it-1 p. 218 Attitudes and Gestures *** Clapping the hands might be a gesture merely to command attention, as at Joshua 15:18. More often it was a sign of anger (Nu 24:10), contempt or ridicule (Job 27:23; La 2:15), sorrow (Eze 6:11), or animosity, rejoicing at bad that befell a rival, a hated enemy, or an oppressor; it was sometimes accompanied by stamping of the feet.—Eze 25:6; Na 3:19.

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Habakkuk Chapters 1-3 (Habakkuk 1:1) A pronouncement that Ha·bakʹkuk the prophet received in a vision:

*** si p. 161 par. 2 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** 2 The book of Habakkuk opens: “The pronouncement that Habakkuk the prophet visioned.” (Hab. 1:1) Who was this prophet Habakkuk (Hebrew, Chavaq·quqʹ), whose name means “Ardent Embrace”? No information is provided concerning Habakkuk’s parentage, tribe, circumstances in life, or death. Whether he was a Levitical temple musician cannot be stated definitely, although this has been inferred from the subscription at the end of the book: “To the director on my stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 1:2) How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, but you do not hear? How long must I ask for help from violence, but you do not intervene?

*** w00 1/15 p. 10 pars. 5-6 “Keep on the Watch” *** 5 Centuries after the Deluge, the kingdom of Judah faced a serious state of affairs. Idolatry, injustice, oppression, and even murder were common. Jehovah raised up Habakkuk to warn the people that if they did not repent, calamity would befall them at the hands of the Chaldeans, or Babylonians. (Habakkuk 1:5-7) But the people refused to listen. Perhaps they reasoned, ‘Why, over a hundred years ago, the prophet Isaiah sounded a similar warning, but nothing has yet happened!’ (Isaiah 39:6, 7) Many of the officials of Judah were not only indifferent to the message but also hostile to the messengers. On one occasion, they tried to put the prophet Jeremiah to death, and they would have succeeded were it not for the intervention of Ahikam. Angered by yet another prophetic message, King Jehoiakim had the prophet Urijah slain.—Jeremiah 26:21-24. 6 Habakkuk’s message was no less bold, and it was just as unpopular as that of Jeremiah, who was divinely inspired to foretell the 70-year desolation of Judah. (Jeremiah 25:8-11) Therefore, we can understand Habakkuk’s distress as he cried out: “How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear? How long shall I call to you for aid from violence, and you do not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

*** w00 2/1 pp. 8-9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** A Land in Turmoil 4 Envision Jehovah’s prophet Habakkuk sitting on the flat roof of his house, enjoying

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the cool evening breeze. At his side is a musical instrument. (Habakkuk 1:1; 3:19, subscription) But Habakkuk hears shocking news. Judah’s King Jehoiakim has killed Urijah and has had the corpse of that prophet cast into the graveyard of the common people. (Jeremiah 26:23) True, Urijah did not maintain his trust in Jehovah, becoming fearful and fleeing to Egypt. Yet, Habakkuk knows that Jehoiakim’s violence was not prompted by any desire to uphold Jehovah’s honor. This is evident from the king’s utter disregard for divine law and his hatred of the prophet Jeremiah and others serving Jehovah. 5 Habakkuk sees the smoke of incense rising from the roofs of nearby homes. The people are not burning this incense as worshipers of Jehovah. They are engaging in false religious acts sponsored by Judah’s wicked King Jehoiakim. What a disgrace! Habakkuk’s eyes fill with tears, and he pleads: “How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear? How long shall I call to you for aid from violence, and you do not save?

*** w00 6/15 p. 19 par. 6 “All You Are Brothers” *** 6 Jehovah also listened to Habakkuk, who asked: “How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear?” Did Jehovah view the question as a challenge to his authority? No, he viewed Habakkuk’s queries as legitimate, and he thereupon revealed his purpose to raise up the Chaldeans to execute judgment. He assured the prophet that ‘this foretold judgment would without fail come true.’ (Habakkuk 1:1, 2, 5, 6, 13, 14; 2:2, 3) By taking Habakkuk’s concerns seriously and answering him, Jehovah honored the prophet. As a result, the distraught prophet brightened up and became joyful, with full trust in the God of his salvation. This is reflected in the inspired book of Habakkuk that strengthens our trust in Jehovah today.—Habakkuk 3:18, 19.

*** w99 12/15 p. 21 par. 7 Let Us Be the Sort That Have Faith *** 7 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 bitter and impetuous,” swooping down on Judah and destroying Jerusalem, swallowing up peoples 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 1:3) Why do you make me witness wrongdoing? And why do you tolerate oppression? Why are destruction and violence before me? And why do quarreling and conflict abound?

*** ct chap. 10 pp. 175-176 If the Creator Cares, Why So Much Suffering? *** Time Passes—For Good Reason In understanding suffering, we have to recognize that accidents, sinful human tendencies, man’s mismanagement of the earth, and Satan the Devil are causes for suffering. However, knowing what is behind suffering is not enough. When one is afflicted, it would be easy to feel as did the ancient prophet Habakkuk when he said: “How long,

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O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear? How long shall I call to you for aid from violence, and you do not save? Why is it that you make me see what is hurtful, and you keep looking upon mere trouble? And why are despoiling and violence in front of me, and why does quarreling occur, and why is strife carried?” (Habakkuk 1:2, 3) Yes, why does Jehovah ‘keep looking upon trouble’ without seeming to act? As the Almighty, he has the power and the love of justice needed to end suffering. So when will he do so? As was mentioned earlier, when the first human couple chose total independence, the Creator was sure that some of their offspring would act differently. Jehovah wisely allowed time to pass. Why? In order to prove that rulership apart from the Creator leads only to unhappiness and, conversely, that living in harmony with the Creator is right and brings happiness. In the meantime, God has maintained the earth as a reasonably pleasant environment. The apostle Paul reasoned: “In the past generations he permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, although, indeed, he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts to the full with food and good cheer.” (Acts 14:16, 17) Clearly, the Creator does not bring suffering, but he has permitted it so as to settle issues of the utmost importance.

*** w89 5/15 p. 25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 1:2-4—Habakkuk’s faith in Jehovah as a God who does not tolerate evil prompted him to ask why wickedness prevailed. He was willing to have his thinking adjusted. (2:1) When we wonder why certain things are tolerated, our confidence in Jehovah’s righteousness should likewise help us to keep our balance and to wait on him.—Psalm 42:5, 11. (Habakkuk 1:4) So law is paralyzed, And justice is never carried out. For the wicked surround the righteous; That is why justice is perverted.

*** w00 2/1 p. 9 par. 5 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** Therefore law grows numb, and justice never goes forth. Because the wicked one is surrounding the righteous one, for that reason justice goes forth crooked.”—Habakkuk 1:2- 4.

*** w00 2/1 p. 9 par. 6 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** ‘Law has grown numb,’ has become paralyzed. And justice? Why, it “never goes forth” victorious! It never prevails. Instead, ‘the wicked surround the righteous,’ circumventing the legal measures intended to protect the innocent. Indeed, “justice goes forth crooked.” It is perverted. What a deplorable state of affairs! (Habakkuk 1:5) “Look among the nations and pay attention! Stare in amazement and be astounded; For something will happen in your days That you will not believe even if it is told to you.

*** it-1 p. 1013 Habakkuk, Book of *** On the other hand, in the early part of Jehoiakim’s reign, Judah was within the Egyptian sphere of influence (2Ki 23:34, 35), and this could also be a time when God’s raising up of the Chaldeans to punish the wayward inhabitants of Judah would be to them ‘an activity they would not believe, though it was related.’ (Hab 1:5, 6)

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*** w07 11/15 p. 9 par. 8 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 1:5, 6—Why might the raising up of the Chaldeans against Jerusalem have seemed unbelievable to the Jews? By the time Habakkuk began prophesying, Judah had come under the powerful influence of Egypt. (2 Kings 23:29, 30, 34) Although the Babylonians were on the rise, their army had not yet defeated Pharaoh Necho. (Jeremiah 46:2) Moreover, Jehovah’s temple was in Jerusalem, and the Davidic dynasty had ruled uninterrupted from there. To the Jews back then, God’s “activity” of allowing the Chaldeans to destroy Jerusalem would appear unthinkable. Regardless of how unbelievable Habakkuk’s words may have sounded to them, though, the vision about Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians ‘without fail came true’ in 607 B.C.E.—Habakkuk 2:3.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 10-11 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** Jehovah Carries On an Unbelievable “Activity” 8 In vision, Habakkuk sees the false religionists, who dishonor God. Listen to what Jehovah tells them: “See, you people, among the nations, and look on, and stare in amazement at one another.” Likely, Habakkuk wonders why God is addressing those wicked ones in this way. Then he hears Jehovah tell them: “Be amazed; for there is an activity that one is carrying on in your days, which you people will not believe although it is related.” (Habakkuk 1:5) Actually, Jehovah himself is carrying on this activity that they cannot believe. But what is it?

*** w00 2/1 p. 13 pars. 20-22 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** 20 According to Acts 13:38-41, the apostle Paul showed Jews in Antioch what it would mean to reject Jesus and thus spurn his ransom sacrifice. Quoting Habakkuk 1:5 from the Greek Septuagint version, Paul warned: “See to it that what is said in the Prophets does not come upon you, ‘Behold it, you scorners, and wonder at it, and vanish away, because I am working a work in your days, a work that you will by no means believe even if anyone relates it to you in detail.’” In keeping with Paul’s quotation, a second fulfillment of Habakkuk 1:5 occurred when Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E. 21 To the Jews of Habakkuk’s day, God’s “work” of having the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem was unthinkable because that city was the seat of Jehovah’s worship and the place where his anointed king was enthroned. (Psalm 132:11-18) As such, Jerusalem had never before been destroyed. Its temple had never been burned. The royal house of David had never been overthrown. It was unbelievable that Jehovah would allow such things to happen. But through Habakkuk, God gave fair warning that these shocking events would occur. And history proves that they took place as foretold. God’s Unbelievable “Work” in Our Day 22 Is Jehovah going to do an unbelievable “work” in our day? Be assured that he will, even though that seems unbelievable to doubters. This time, Jehovah’s unbelievable work will be the destruction of Christendom. Like ancient Judah, she claims to worship God but has become thoroughly corrupt. Jehovah will see to it that every vestige of Christendom’s

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religious system will soon be wiped out, as will all of “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion.—Revelation 18:1-24.

*** w91 6/1 p. 22 pars. 8-9 Keep Warning of Jehovah’s Unusual Work *** 8 But Jehovah gave fair warning through his prophets that shocking events were going to come to pass. (Micah 3:9-12) For example, the prophet Habakkuk, who lived in the seventh century B.C.E., said: “See, you people, among the nations, and look on, and stare in amazement at one another. Be amazed; for there is an activity that one is carrying on in your days, which you people will not believe although it is related. For here I am raising up the Chaldeans, the nation bitter and impetuous, which is going to the wide-open places of earth in order to take possession of residences not belonging to it. Frightful and fear- inspiring it is.”—Habakkuk 1:5-7. 9 In 607 B.C.E., Jehovah fulfilled his warning. Having permitted the Babylonian armies to come against Jerusalem, he allowed them to destroy both the city and the temple. (Lamentations 2:7-9) Moreover, he allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed a second time. Why? Well, after 70 years of exile, repentant Jews returned to their homeland, and eventually another temple was built in Jerusalem. Again, though, the Jews drifted away from Jehovah. In the first century C.E., Paul quoted the words of Habakkuk to the Jews of his day, thus warning that there was to be a future application of the prophecy. (Acts 13:40, 41) Jesus himself had specifically warned that Jerusalem and its temple would be destroyed because of lack of faith on the part of the Jews. (Matthew 23:37–24:2) Did those first-century Jews take heed? No. Like their forefathers, they totally rejected Jehovah’s warning. Hence, Jehovah repeated his strange work. Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed in 70 C.E. by means of the Roman legions.

*** si p. 161 par. 3 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** The prophecy itself provides the clue in foretelling an activity that the people in Judah will not believe even if it is related. What is this? It is the raising up of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) by God to punish faithless Judah. (1:5, 6) This would fit the early part of the reign of idolatrous King Jehoiakim, a time when disbelief and injustice were rampant in Judah. Jehoiakim had been put on the throne by Pharaoh Necho, and the nation was within Egypt’s sphere of influence. Under such circumstances the people would feel they had cause to discredit any possibility of invasion from Babylon. But Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho in the battle of Carchemish in 625 B.C.E., thus breaking the power of Egypt.

*** si p. 162 par. 6 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** 6 The prophet cries out to Jehovah (1:1–2:1). Faithlessness in Judah has provoked questions in Habakkuk’s mind. “How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear?” he asks. “Why are despoiling and violence in front of me?” (1:2, 3) Law grows numb, the wicked one is surrounding the righteous one, and justice goes forth crooked. Because of this, Jehovah will carry on an activity that will cause amazement, something that the “people will not believe although it is related.” He is actually “raising up the Chaldeans”! Frightful indeed is the vision that Jehovah gives of this fierce nation as it comes swiftly. It is devoted to violence, and it gathers up captives “just like the sand.” (1:5, 6, 9)

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(Habakkuk 1:6) For here I am raising up the Chal·deʹans, The ruthless and impetuous nation. They sweep through vast stretches of the earth To seize homes not theirs.

*** it-1 pp. 1013-1014 Habakkuk, Book of *** Also, Jehovah’s declaration “I am raising up the Chaldeans” (1:6) and the prophecy’s general tenor show that the Chaldeans, or Babylonians, had not yet desolated Jerusalem. But Habakkuk 1:17 may suggest that they had already begun to overthrow some nations. During the reign of Judah’s good king Josiah (659-629 B.C.E.), the Chaldeans and Medes took Nineveh (in 632 B.C.E.), and Babylon was then on its way toward becoming a world power.—Na 3:7. There are some who hold, in agreement with rabbinic tradition, that Habakkuk prophesied earlier, during the reign of King Manasseh of Judah. They believe that he was one of the prophets mentioned or alluded to at 2 Kings 21:10 and 2 Chronicles 33:10. They hold that the Babylonians were not yet a menace, which fact made Habakkuk’s prophecy more unbelievable to the Judeans.—See Hab 1:5, 6. On the other hand, in the early part of Jehoiakim’s reign, Judah was within the Egyptian sphere of influence (2Ki 23:34, 35), and this could also be a time when God’s raising up of the Chaldeans to punish the wayward inhabitants of Judah would be to them ‘an activity they would not believe, though it was related.’ (Hab 1:5, 6) Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish in 625 B.C.E., in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim’s reign. (Jer 46:2) So, Habakkuk may have prophesied and recorded the prophecy before that event, possibly completing the writing thereof about 628 B.C.E. in Judah. The use of the future tense regarding the Chaldean threat evidently indicates a date earlier than Jehoiakim’s vassalship to Babylon (620-618 B.C.E.).—2Ki 24:1.

*** it-1 p. 1013 Habakkuk, Book of *** At Habakkuk 1:6 this manuscript reads “Chaldeans,” thus confirming the correctness of the Masoretic text in showing that the Chaldeans (Babylonians) were the ones Jehovah would raise up as his agency.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 10 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** 10 What a prophetic warning from the Most High! Jehovah is raising up the Chaldeans, the savage nation of Babylon. On its march through ‘earth’s wide-open places,’ it will

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conquer many, many dwellings. How terrifying!

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** “Here I am raising up the Chaldeans, the nation bitter and impetuous, which is going to the wide-open places of earth in order to take possession of residences not belonging to it.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** Frightful and fear-inspiring it is. From itself its own justice and its own dignity go forth.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 10 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** The Chaldean horde is “frightful and fear-inspiring,” terrible and dreadful. It makes its own inflexible laws. ‘Its own justice goes forth from itself.’ (Habakkuk 1:8) Their horses are swifter than leopards, And they are fiercer than wolves in the night. Their warhorses gallop forward; Their horses come from far away. They swoop down like the eagle rushing to feed.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 11 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** 11 Babylon’s horses are swifter than speedy leopards. Its cavalry is fiercer than hungry wolves hunting by night. Raring to go, ‘its steeds paw the ground’ impatiently. From distant

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Babylon they head for Judah. Flying like an eagle speeding to a tasty meal, the Chaldeans will soon pounce on their prey.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** And its horses have proved swifter than leopards, and they have proved fiercer than evening wolves. And its steeds have pawed the ground, and from far away its own steeds come. They fly like the eagle speeding to eat something. (Habakkuk 1:9) All of them come bent on violence. The assembling of their faces is like the east wind, And they scoop up captives like sand.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** In its entirety it comes for mere violence. The assembling of their faces is as the east wind, and it gathers up captives just like the sand.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 11 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** But will this be only a foray, just a raid by a few soldiers? Oh, no! “In its entirety it comes for mere violence,” as a gigantic host swarming up to wreak havoc. Their faces aglow with eagerness, they ride westward toward Judah and Jerusalem, moving as rapidly as the east wind. Babylonian forces sweep up so many prisoners that they are ‘gathering captives just like sand.’ (Habakkuk 1:10) They scoff at kings And laugh at high officials. They laugh at every fortified place; They pile up a dirt ramp and capture it.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 12 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** 12 The Chaldean army jeers at kings and derides high officials, all of whom are powerless to stop its relentless advance. It ‘laughs at every fortified place,’ for any fortress falls when the Babylonians ‘pile up dust’ by building a mound of earth from which to assault it.

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** And for its part, it jeers kings themselves, and high officials are something laughable to it. For its part, it laughs even at every fortified place, and it piles up dust and captures it. (Habakkuk 1:11) Then they move forward like the wind and pass through, But they will become guilty, Because they credit their power to their god.”

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 9 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** At that time it will certainly move onward like wind and will pass through and will actually become guilty. This its power is due to its god.”

*** w00 2/1 p. 11 par. 12 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** At Jehovah’s appointed time, the formidable enemy “will certainly move onward like wind.” In attacking Judah and Jerusalem, it “will actually become guilty” of doing injury to

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God’s people. After a whirlwind victory, the Chaldean commander will boast: ‘This power is due to our god.’ But how little he really knows! (Habakkuk 1:12) Are you not from everlasting, O Jehovah? O my God, my Holy One, you do not die. O Jehovah, you appointed them to execute judgment; My Rock, you established them for punishment.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 11-12 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** A Sound Basis for Hope 13 With increased understanding of Jehovah’s purpose, hope grows in Habakkuk’s heart. Filled with complete confidence, he speaks in adoration of Jehovah. As noted at Habakkuk 1:12, the prophet says: “Are you not from long ago, O Jehovah? O my God, my Holy One, you do not die.” Indeed, Jehovah is God “from time indefinite to time indefinite”—forever.—Psalm 90:1, 2. 14 Reflecting on his God-given vision and rejoicing in the insight it provided, the prophet continues: “O Jehovah, for a judgment you have set it; and, O Rock, for a reproving you have founded it.” God has judged the apostates of Judah adversely, and they are in line for reproof, severe chastisement, by Jehovah. They should have been looking upon him as their Rock, the only real stronghold, refuge, and Source of salvation. (Psalm 62:7; 94:22; 95:1) Yet, the apostate leaders of Judah do not draw close to God, and they continue to oppress Jehovah’s harmless worshipers.

*** w91 3/1 p. 29 The “New World Translation”—Scholarly and Honest *** [Box on page 29] A TRANSLATION RECOMMENDS ITSELF One of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany conversed with an elderly lady, to whom she read Habakkuk 1:12: “Are you not from long ago, O Jehovah? O my God, my Holy One, you do not die.” The lady protested because her Bible said, “Let us not die.” The Witness pointed out that the New World Translation adheres closely to the original manuscripts. Since the elderly woman spoke Hebrew, she fetched her Hebrew Bible and discovered to her surprise that the New World Translation is accurate. The Sopherim (Jewish scribes) changed this text long ago because they felt the original passage showed irreverence toward God. With few exceptions, German Bible translations make no adjustments to correct this scribal emendation. The New World Translation has restored the original text. (Habakkuk 1:13) Your eyes are too pure to look on what is evil, And you cannot tolerate wickedness. Why, then, do you tolerate the treacherous And keep silent when a wicked man swallows up someone more righteous than he is?

*** w00 2/1 p. 12 pars. 15-16 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** 15 This situation greatly distresses Jehovah’s prophet. So he says: “You are too pure in eyes to see what is bad; and to look on trouble you are not able.” (Habakkuk 1:13) Yes, Jehovah is “too pure in eyes to see what is bad,” that is, to tolerate wrongdoing. 16 Habakkuk therefore has some thought-provoking questions in mind. He asks: “Why is it that you look on those dealing treacherously, that you keep silent when someone wicked swallows up someone more righteous than he is?

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*** w00 2/1 p. 12 par. 17 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** 17 In assaulting Judah and its capital city, Jerusalem, the Babylonians will act according to their own desires. They will not know that they are serving as God’s means for executing his righteous judgment against an unfaithful people. It is easy to see why Habakkuk would find it hard to understand that God would use the wicked Babylonians to execute His judgment.

*** w89 9/15 p. 18 par. 11 Elders—Treat God’s Flock With Tenderness! *** An unclean organization could never be peaceful and joyous, and it surely would not have God’s approval and blessing. He is “too pure in eyes to see what is bad,” to tolerate wrongdoing. (Habakkuk 1:13) (Habakkuk 1:14) Why do you make man like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things that have no ruler?

*** w00 2/1 p. 12 par. 17 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** Those ruthless Chaldeans are not worshipers of Jehovah. They view humans as mere ‘fish and creeping things’ to be captured and subdued. But Habakkuk’s perplexity will not last long. Jehovah will soon reveal to his prophet that the Babylonians will not remain unpunished for their greedy despoiling and their wanton bloodguiltiness.—Habakkuk 2:8.

*** w00 2/1 p. 12 par. 16 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** And why do you make earthling man like the fishes of the sea, like creeping things over whom no one is ruling? (Habakkuk 1:17) Will he then keep emptying out his dragnet? Will he go on slaughtering nations without compassion?

*** it-1 p. 1013 Habakkuk, Book of *** But Habakkuk 1:17 may suggest that they had already begun to overthrow some nations. During the reign of Judah’s good king Josiah (659-629 B.C.E.), the Chaldeans and Medes took Nineveh (in 632 B.C.E.), and Babylon was then on its way toward becoming a world power.—Na 3:7. (Habakkuk 2:1) At my guardpost I will keep standing, And I will station myself on the rampart. I will keep watch to see what he will speak by means of me And what I will reply when I am reproved.

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*** w07 11/15 p. 10 par. 3 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 2:1. Like Habakkuk, we should remain spiritually alert and active. We should also be ready to adjust our thinking in line with any “reproof,” or correction, we may receive.

*** w00 2/1 p. 12 How Much Longer for the Wicked? *** Ready for Jehovah’s Further Words 18 Right now, however, Habakkuk waits to hear Jehovah’s further words to him. The prophet resolutely states: “At my guard post I will keep standing, and I will keep myself stationed upon the bulwark; and I shall keep watch, to see what he will speak by me and what I shall reply at the reproof of me.” (Habakkuk 2:1) Habakkuk is intensely interested in what God will yet speak by means of him as a prophet. His faith in Jehovah as a God who does not tolerate evil makes him wonder why wickedness prevails, but he is willing to have his thinking adjusted. Well, then, what about us? When we wonder why certain wicked things are tolerated, our confidence in Jehovah God’s righteousness should help us to keep our balance and wait on him.—Psalm 42:5, 11.

*** w00 2/1 p. 14 pars. 1-4 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** “AT MY guard post I will keep standing.” That was the resolve of God’s prophet Habakkuk. (Habakkuk 2:1) Jehovah’s people of the 20th century have shown that same determination. Hence, they have responded zealously to this call sounded at a landmark convention in September 1922: “This is the day of all days. Behold, the King reigns! You are his publicity agents. Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” 2 After World War I, Jehovah restored the faithful anointed remnant to a state of vibrant activity. Like Habakkuk, each of them could then declare: “I will keep myself stationed upon the bulwark; and I shall keep watch, to see what he will speak by me.” The Hebrew words for “watch” and “guard” are repeated in many prophecies. “It Will Not Be Late” 3 As Jehovah’s Witnesses sound God’s warning today, they must be ever alert to heed the concluding words of Jesus’ great prophecy: “Keep on the watch, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether late in the day or at midnight or at cockcrowing or early in the morning; in order that when he arrives suddenly, he does not find you sleeping. But what I say to you I say to all, Keep on the watch.” (Mark 13:35-37) Like Habakkuk, and in harmony with Jesus’ words, we must keep on the watch! 4 Habakkuk may have completed writing his book about 628 B.C.E., even before Babylon became the dominant world power. For many years Jehovah’s judgment on apostate Jerusalem had been sounded forth. Yet, there was no clear indication as to when that judgment would be executed. Who would have believed that it was only some 21 years away and that Babylon would be Jehovah’s executioner? Similarly today, we do not know ‘the day and the hour’ set for this system’s end, but Jesus has forewarned us: “Prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.”—Matthew 24:36, 44.

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*** w89 5/15 p. 25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** Jehovah listens to the pleas of his servants. Habakkuk asks: “How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help, and you do not hear?” Yes, there is no justice, and the wicked surround the righteous. But God does hear, and as his punishing agency, he is “raising up the Chaldeans.” Yet, how can he use a warlike power? The prophet awaits God’s answer, anticipating a reproof.—1:1–2:1.

*** w89 5/15 p. 25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 1:2-4—Habakkuk’s faith in Jehovah as a God who does not tolerate evil prompted him to ask why wickedness prevailed. He was willing to have his thinking adjusted. (2:1) (Habakkuk 2:2) Jehovah then answered me: “Write down the vision, and inscribe it clearly on tablets, So that the one reading aloud from it may do so easily.

*** it-1 p. 1204 Inspiration *** Even where the writer speaks of receiving “the word of Jehovah” or a certain “pronouncement,” it may be that this was transmitted, not word for word, but by giving the writer a mental picture of God’s purpose, one that the writer would thereafter express in words. This is perhaps indicated by the writers’ speaking at times of ‘seeing’ (rather than ‘hearing’) “the pronouncement” or “the word of Jehovah.”—Isa 13:1; Mic 1:1; Hab 1:1; 2:1, 2. (Habakkuk 2:3) For the vision is yet for its appointed time, And it is rushing toward its end, and it will not lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it! For it will without fail come true. It will not be late!

*** w15 8/15 pp. 16-17 pars. 12-13 Keep in Expectation! *** 12 Consider the prophet Habakkuk, who was commissioned to foretell the destruction of Jerusalem. By the time he arrived on the scene, warnings of that city’s desolation had already been sounded for years. Conditions had reached the point where ‘the wicked surrounded the righteous and justice was perverted.’ So it is not surprising that Habakkuk asked: “How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help?” Instead of answering that question directly, Jehovah assured his faithful prophet that the foretold destruction would “not be late.” God told Habakkuk to “keep in expectation.”—Read Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:3. 13 Suppose Habakkuk had become discouraged and thought: ‘I have been hearing about Jerusalem’s destruction for years. What if it is still a long way off? It does not seem realistic to keep prophesying as if the city might suddenly be destroyed. I will leave that to others.’ If Habakkuk had entertained such ideas, he would have lost his favored position before Jehovah—and possibly his life during the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians!

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*** w06 12/15 p. 17 “The Great Day of Jehovah Is Near” *** “Keep in Expectation of It” 11 Unlike the wicked world around us, we must keep in mind the admonition recorded by the prophet Habakkuk: “The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3) Even if that day may appear to delay from our imperfect viewpoint, we must remember that Jehovah is not slow. His day will come exactly on time, at an hour that humans do not expect.—Mark 13:33; 2 Peter 3:9, 10. 12 Emphasizing the importance of keeping in expectation of Jehovah’s day, Jesus warned that even some of his followers would lose their sense of urgency. He foretold about them: “If ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and will punish him with the greatest severity.” (Matthew 24:48-51) In contrast, the faithful and discreet slave class loyally keeps its sense of urgency. The slave class has kept on the watch and proved itself ready. Jesus has appointed it “over all his belongings” here on the earth.—Matthew 24:42-47.

*** jd chap. 12 pp. 152-154 pars. 3-5 “Keep in Expectation of It” *** 3 Next, locate Zephaniah and Habakkuk on the time line. Note that these two served in a period closer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Still, they could not know whether God’s execution of judgment was right at hand or decades away. (Habakkuk 1:2; Zephaniah 1:7, 14-18) Zephaniah wrote: “‘Keep yourselves in expectation of me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘till the day of my rising up to the booty, for my judicial decision is . . . to pour out upon them my denunciation, all my burning anger.’” (Zephaniah 3:8) And what about Habakkuk, who lived soon after Zephaniah? Habakkuk wrote: “The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.”— Habakkuk 2:3. 4 The contexts of the pronouncements at Zephaniah 3:8 and Habakkuk 2:3 are revealing. At a time when certain Jews were saying, “Jehovah will not do good, and he will not do bad,” Zephaniah proclaimed “the day of Jehovah’s anger.” On that day both enemy nations and wayward Jews would feel God’s displeasure. (Zephaniah 1:4, 12; 2:2, 4, 13; 3:3, 4) Do you imagine that Zephaniah was fearful of God’s denunciation and anger? On the contrary, he was to keep himself “in expectation.” ‘What of Habakkuk?’ you might wonder. He also was to “keep in expectation of it.” You are right to conclude that Zephaniah and Habakkuk were not casual about what lay ahead, carrying on as if they thought things would never change. (Habakkuk 3:16; 2 Peter 3:4) As noted, though, a significant point that these two prophets had in common was that both were to “keep in expectation.” And you know this: What those two prophets expected became historical fact in 607 B.C.E. So their keeping “in expectation” proved to be the course of wisdom. 5 You can be equally sure that “the day of Jehovah’s anger” against the present system of things will come; it will be a fact, actual and trustworthy. Surely you have no doubt about that. Like Zephaniah and Habakkuk, you do not know exactly when that day will come.

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(Mark 13:32) Yet, come it will, and fulfillment of Bible prophecy in your time strongly indicates that it will come soon. Thus, what Jehovah stressed to those prophets applies to you—“Keep in expectation of it.” And remember this absolute truth: Ours is the only God who “acts for the one that keeps in expectation of him.”—Isaiah 64:4.

*** jd chap. 12 p. 164 par. 22 “Keep in Expectation of It” *** 22 It is appropriate, then, to repeat Habakkuk’s assurance, which certainly applies in our time: “The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3) Even if from a human standpoint it might seem that Jehovah’s great day has delayed, his day will without fail come on schedule. Jehovah promises us that. Thus, those who have served God for years and those who have taken up his worship recently can move forward together with confidence like that expressed at Micah 4:5: “We, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah our God to time indefinite, even forever.”

*** w00 1/15 p. 10 par. 6 “Keep on the Watch” *** Jehovah graciously answered Habakkuk with these faith-strengthening words: “The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3) So Jehovah had an “appointed time” for bringing an end to injustice and oppression. If there seemed to be a delay, Habakkuk was not to be discouraged, nor was he to slow down. Instead, he was to “keep in expectation,” living each day with a sense of urgency. Jehovah’s day would not be late!

*** w00 2/1 pp. 14-15 par. 5 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:2, 3) Today, wickedness and violence run rampant throughout the earth, indicating that we stand at the very brink of “the great and fear- inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joel 2:31) Encouraging, indeed, are Jehovah’s own words of assurance: “It will not be late”!

*** w98 11/15 pp. 16-17 par. 6 Walking With God—With Eternity in View *** 6 In part, Jehovah answered Habakkuk in these words: “The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3) God thus made it known that he would act at “the appointed time.” Though there might seem to be a delay, Jehovah will fulfill his purpose—without fail!—2 Peter 3:9.

*** w97 1/1 pp. 12-13 pars. 2-3 The Greater Glory of Jehovah’s House *** The more we happily immerse ourselves in Jehovah’s service, the faster the end will appear to come. At Habakkuk 2:2, 3, we read Jehovah’s words: “Write down the vision, and set it out plainly upon tablets, in order that the one reading aloud from it may do so fluently. For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and

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it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” Yes, “the vision” will come true “even if it should delay.” In this the 83rd year of Jesus’ Kingdom rule, some may feel that we are in a period of delay right now. Should we not be happy, though, that the end has not yet come? During this decade of the 1990’s, restrictions on preaching the good news have been lifted, miraculously it would seem, in Eastern Europe, parts of Africa, and other lands. The apparent “delay” is allowing time for many more “sheep” to be gathered from these territories that have recently opened up.—John 10:16. 3 “It will not be late,” says the prophet. Jesus said that the present wicked generation would not pass away until “all these things occur.” (Matthew 24:34) Does our updated understanding of his words mean that our preaching activity is not so pressing? The facts show that just the opposite is the case! Our contemporary generation is plunging into a state of wickedness and corruption unparalleled in all previous history. (Compare Acts 2:40.) We should be at our work urgently. (2 Timothy 4:2) All the prophecies on the timing of the great tribulation show that it will come suddenly, instantly, stealthily—like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; Revelation 3:3; 16:15) “On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” (Matthew 24:44) As this godless generation of mankind hovers on the brink of annihilation, surely we should not want to throw away our precious hope of eternal life by returning to “rolling in the mire” of worldly distractions!—2 Peter 2:22; 3:10; Luke 21:32-36.

*** si p. 163 pars. 13-14 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** 13 Habakkuk’s prophecy is most beneficial today to Christians, who need vital energy. It teaches reliance upon God. It is also beneficial for warning others of God’s judgments. The warning lesson is forceful: Do not consider God’s judgments as being too delayed; they will “without fail come true.” (Hab. 2:3) Without fail the prophecy of Judah’s destruction by Babylon came true, and without fail Babylon itself was captured, the Medes and Persians taking the city in 539 B.C.E. What a warning to believe God’s words! Thus, the apostle Paul found it beneficial to quote Habakkuk when he warned the Jews of his day not to be faithless: “See to it that what is said in the Prophets does not come upon you, ‘Behold it, you scorners, and wonder at it, and vanish away, because I am working a work in your days, a work that you will by no means believe even if anyone relates it to you in detail.’” (Acts 13:40, 41; Hab. 1:5, LXX) The faithless Jews would not heed Paul, even as they had not believed Jesus’ warning of Jerusalem’s destruction; they suffered the consequences for their faithlessness when Rome’s armies devastated Jerusalem in 70 C.E.—Luke 19:41- 44. 14 Likewise, today, Habakkuk’s prophecy encourages Christians to hold strong faith, while living in a world filled with violence. It helps them to teach others and to answer the question people all over the world have asked, Will God execute vengeance on the wicked? Note again the words of the prophecy: “Keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late.” (Hab. 2:3)

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(Habakkuk 2:4) Look at the one who is proud; He is not upright within himself. But the righteous one will live by his faithfulness.

*** jd chap. 2 p. 25 par. 17 Prophets Whose Messages Can Affect Us *** He wrote in vibrant and dramatic style, offering the comforting thought that “as for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living.” (Habakkuk 2:4) Those words must be really important for us, since the apostle Paul quoted them in three books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)

*** jd chap. 14 pp. 187-188 par. 20 “A Blessing Until There Is No More Want” *** 20 Jehovah stated through Habakkuk: “As for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living.” (Habakkuk 2:4) Be sure to fix that deeply in mind and heart. It is one of the Bible’s central truths. Paul pointed to that scripture three times in his inspired writings. (Romans 1:16, 17; Galatians 3:11, 14; Hebrews 10:38) This truth calls on you to exercise faith in the sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered for our sins. Jesus explained: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might . . . have everlasting life.” We also read: “He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life.” (John 3:16, 36) That sacrifice provides for the healing that only our Redeemer can offer. After recording Jehovah’s statement of what His great day will do to Satan’s wicked world, Malachi continued: “To you who are in fear of my name the sun of righteousness will certainly shine forth, with healing in its wings.” Yes, Jesus will shine forth with healing. That involves the spiritual healing that we experience now. Yet, how thrilling it is to think that it will extend to full physical healing in the new world!—Malachi 4:2.

*** w00 2/1 p. 15 pars. 6-7 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 6 How, then, may we survive the coming day of executional judgment? Jehovah answers by drawing this contrast between the righteous and the unrighteous: “Look! His soul has been swelled up; it has not been upright within him. But as for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living.” (Habakkuk 2:4) Proud and greedy rulers and peoples have stained the pages of modern history with the blood of millions of innocent victims, notably in two world wars and in ethnic bloodbaths. In contrast, the peace-loving anointed servants of God have endured in faithfulness. They are “the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct.” This nation, along with its companions, the “other sheep,” follow the admonition: “Trust in Jehovah, you people, for all times, for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of times indefinite.”—Isaiah 26:2-4; John 10:16. 7 Writing to Hebrew Christians, the apostle Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4 when telling Jehovah’s people: “You have need of endurance, in order that, after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. For yet ‘a very little while,’ and ‘he who is coming will arrive and will not delay.’ ‘But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,’ and, ‘if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’” (Hebrews 10:36-38) Our day is no time for slacking the hand or for getting ensnared by the materialistic, pleasure- crazed ways of Satan’s world. What must we do until the “very little while” runs out? Like Paul, we of Jehovah’s holy nation must ‘stretch forward to the things ahead, pursuing down toward the goal’ of everlasting life. (Philippians 3:13, 14) And like Jesus, we must ‘endure for the joy that is set before us.’—Hebrews 12:2.

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*** w99 12/15 p. 20 Let Us Be the Sort That Have Faith *** Paul quoted the Septuagint rendering of Habakkuk 2:4, which includes the phrase “if anyone shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” This statement does not appear in any extant Hebrew manuscript. Some have suggested that the Septuagint was based on earlier Hebrew manuscripts that no longer exist. In any event, Paul included it here under the influence of God’s holy spirit. It therefore has divine authorization.

*** w99 12/15 p. 21 pars. 8-9 Let Us Be the Sort That Have Faith *** 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. 9 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!

*** si p. 162 par. 7 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** Jehovah comforts Habakkuk with the words: “As for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living.” (2:2, 4)

*** si pp. 162-163 par. 12 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** 12 Recognizing Habakkuk’s prophecy as beneficial for teaching, the apostle Paul quoted from chapter 2, verse 4, on three different occasions. When stressing that the good news is God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith, Paul wrote the Christians in Rome: “For in it God’s righteousness is being revealed by reason of faith and toward faith, just as it is written: ‘But the righteous one—by means of faith he will live.’” When writing the Galatians, Paul stressed the point that blessing comes through faith: “That by law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because ‘the righteous one will live by reason of faith.’” Paul also wrote in his letter to the Hebrews that Christians must show a live, soul-preserving faith, and he again referred to Jehovah’s words to Habakkuk. However, he quotes not only Habakkuk’s words, “my righteous one will live by reason of faith,” but also his further words according to the Greek Septuagint: “If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” Then he sums up by saying: We are “the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul.”—Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38, 39. (Habakkuk 2:5) Indeed, because the wine is treacherous, The arrogant man will not reach his goal. He makes his appetite as large as the Grave; He is like death and cannot be satisfied. He keeps gathering all the nations And collecting for himself all the peoples.

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*** w07 11/15 p. 10 par. 1 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 2:5—Who is the “able-bodied man,” and why “will [he] not reach his goal”? The Babylonians, who used their military prowess to conquer nations, were a composite “able- bodied man.” The taste of victory made him like someone intoxicated with wine. He would not succeed in gathering to himself all the nations, however, because Jehovah would use the Medes and the Persians to cause his fall. The modern-day composite “man” is made up of political powers. He too is drunk with self-assurance and self-importance and has an insatiable appetite for expansion. But he does not reach his goal of “gathering to himself all the nations.” Only God’s Kingdom will unite mankind.—Matthew 6:9, 10.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 15-16 par. 8 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 8 Habakkuk 2:5 describes “an able-bodied man” who, in contrast with Jehovah’s servants, fails to reach his goal, even though he “made his soul spacious just like Sheol.” Who is this man who “cannot be satisfied”? With voracity like that of Babylon of Habakkuk’s time, this composite “man,” made up of political powers—whether Fascist, Nazi, Communist, or even so-called democratic—fights wars in order to expand his lands. He also fills Sheol, the grave, with innocent souls. But this treacherous composite “man” of Satan’s world, drunk with his own self-assured importance, meets with no success in “gathering to himself all the nations and collecting together to himself all the peoples.” Only Jehovah God can unite all mankind, and he will accomplish this through the Messianic Kingdom.—Matthew 6:9, 10.

*** w89 5/15 p. 25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** The self-assuming foe that is plundering nations will not reach his goal. Indeed, the Chaldeans will not go unpunished.—2:2-5.

*** w89 5/15 p. 25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 2:5—The Babylonians were a composite man who used his war machine to conquer nations. Like Sheol and death that are always ready for more victims, he desired further military conquests. (Compare Proverbs 30:15, 16.) As if influenced by heavy drinking, he became heady with victory. But his wars of conquest ended when Babylon fell in 539 B.C.E. (Habakkuk 2:6) Will not all of these speak a proverb, an allusion, and riddles against him? They will say: ‘Woe to him who accumulates what is not his —For how long?— And who makes even greater his own debt!

*** w00 2/1 p. 16 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** The First of Five Dramatic Woes 9 Through his prophet Habakkuk, Jehovah proceeds to announce a series of five woes, judgments that must be carried out in preparing the earth for habitation by God’s faithful worshipers. Such righthearted ones ‘lift up a proverbial saying’ that Jehovah presents. We read at Habakkuk 2:6: “Woe to him who is multiplying what is not his own—O how long!— and who is making debt heavy against himself!”

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10 Here the emphasis is on unrighteous gain. In the world around us, the rich grow richer, and the poor grow poorer. Drug dealers and swindlers amass great fortunes, while many of the common people starve. One fourth of the world’s population is said to live below the poverty line. Living conditions are appalling in many countries. Those who yearn for righteousness on earth exclaim: “O how long” these iniquities have been multiplying! Yet, the end is at hand! Indeed, the vision “will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:8) Because you plundered many nations, All the rest of the peoples will plunder you, Because of your shedding men’s blood And your violence to the earth, To the cities and those living in them.

*** w00 2/1 p. 16 par. 11 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 11 The prophet tells the wicked one: “Because you yourself despoiled many nations, all the remaining ones of the peoples will despoil you, because of the shedding of blood of mankind and the violence to the earth, the town and all those dwelling in it.” (Habakkuk 2:8) What bloodguilt we find on the earth today! Jesus plainly stated: “All those who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Yet, in the 20th century alone, bloodguilty nations and ethnic groups have been responsible for the slaughter of more than a hundred million humans. Woe to those sharing in these bloodbaths! (Habakkuk 2:9) Woe to the one who makes evil gain for his house, So as to set his nest on the height, To escape the grasp of calamity!

*** w00 2/1 p. 16 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** The Second Woe 12 The second woe, recorded at Habakkuk 2:9-11, falls on “the one that is making evil gain for his house, in order to set his nest on the height, so as to be delivered from the grasp of what is calamitous!” Dishonest gain will be of no avail, as the psalmist makes clear: “Do not be afraid because some man gains riches, because the glory of his house increases, for at his death he cannot take along anything at all; his glory will not go down along with him himself.” (Psalm 49:16, 17) Noteworthy, then, is Paul’s wise advice: “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment.”—1 Timothy 6:17. (Habakkuk 2:11) For a stone will cry out from the wall, And from the woodwork a rafter will answer it.

*** w07 11/15 p. 10 par. 7 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 2:11. If we fail to expose the wickedness of this world, “a stone itself will cry out plaintively.” It is important that we courageously keep on preaching the Kingdom message!

*** w00 2/1 pp. 16-17 par. 13 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 13 How important it is that God’s judgment messages be sounded forth today! When the Pharisees objected to the crowds’ hailing Jesus as “the One coming as the King in

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Jehovah’s name,” he said: “I tell you, If these remained silent, the stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:38-40) Likewise, if God’s people today were to fail in exposing the wickedness that exists in this world, ‘out of the wall a stone itself would cry out plaintively.’ (Habakkuk 2:11) So let us courageously continue to sound God’s warning! (Habakkuk 2:12) Woe to the one who builds a city by bloodshed, And who establishes a town by unrighteousness!

*** it-1 p. 161 Architecture *** Jehoiakim is condemned for building his palace in unrighteousness by failing to pay the workers, and the Chaldeans are condemned for building a city with the blood and toil of conquered peoples. (Jer 22:13-15; Hab 2:12, 13)

*** w00 2/1 p. 17 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** The Third Woe and the Issue of Bloodguilt 14 The third woe announced through Habakkuk takes up the issue of bloodguilt. Says Habakkuk 2:12: “Woe to the one that is building a city by bloodshed, and that has solidly established a town by unrighteousness!” In this system of things, unrighteousness and bloodshed often accompany each other. Notably, the world’s religions have been responsible for the most heinous bloodbaths of history. We have only to mention the Crusades, which pitted so-called Christians against Muslims; the Catholic Inquisition in Spain and Latin America; Europe’s Thirty Years’ War between Protestants and Catholics; and the bloodiest of them all, the two world wars of our century, both of which started in the realm of Christendom. 15 One of the most wicked features of the second world war was the Nazi Holocaust, which engulfed millions of Jews and other innocents in Europe. Only recently has the Roman Catholic hierarchy in France confessed that it failed to oppose the sending of hundreds of thousands of victims to Nazi death chambers. Yet, the nations continue to prepare to shed blood, with church support or consent. Speaking about the Russian Orthodox Church, Time magazine (international edition) recently stated: “The revived church also wields critical influence in an area once unthinkable: the Russian war machine. . . . Blessings of jet-fighters and barracks have become almost routine. In November, in Moscow’s Danilovsky Monastery, the seat of the Russian Patriarchate, the church went so far as to consecrate Russia’s nuclear arsenal.” Can the United Nations put a stop to rearming this world with demonic instruments of war? Hardly! According to The Guardian newspaper of London, England, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize commented: “What is truly unsettling is that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council are the world’s five major arms suppliers.” (Habakkuk 2:13) Look! Is it not from Jehovah of armies that peoples will work hard to feed the fire, And that nations tire themselves out for nothing?

*** w00 2/1 p. 17 par. 16 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 16 Will Jehovah execute judgment on warmongering nations? Habakkuk 2:13 states: “Look! Is it not from Jehovah of armies that peoples will toil on only for the fire, and that national groups will tire themselves out merely for nothing?” “Jehovah of armies”! Yes,

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Jehovah has heavenly angelic armies, which he will use in bringing warlike peoples and nations to nothing! (Habakkuk 2:14) For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 17-18 par. 17 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 17 What will follow Jehovah’s execution of judgment on those violent national groups? Habakkuk 2:14 provides the answer: “The earth will be filled with the knowing of the glory of Jehovah as the waters themselves cover over the sea.” What a grand prospect! At Armageddon, Jehovah’s sovereignty will be forever vindicated. (Revelation 16:16) He assures us that he will ‘glorify the very place of his feet,’ this earth on which we live. (Isaiah 60:13) All mankind will be educated in God’s way of life, so that knowledge of Jehovah’s glorious purposes will fill the earth even as the oceans fill the sea basins. (Habakkuk 2:15) Woe to the one who gives his companions something to drink, Adding to it rage and anger, to make them drunk, In order to look on their nakedness!

*** w00 2/1 p. 18 par. 18 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 18 The fourth woe is described at Habakkuk 2:15 in these words: “Woe to the one giving his companions something to drink, attaching to it your rage and anger, in order to make them drunk, for the purpose of looking upon their parts of shame.” This suggests the dissolute, wayward state of the modern world. Its immorality, supported even by permissive religious bodies, has descended to new lows. Plagues, such as AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, are on the rampage earth wide. (Habakkuk 2:16) You will be glutted with dishonor rather than glory. You too—drink and expose your uncircumcised condition. The cup in the right hand of Jehovah will come around to you, And disgrace will cover over your glory;

*** w00 2/1 p. 18 par. 18 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** Instead of reflecting “the glory of Jehovah,” the me-first generation of today plummets further into depravity and toward the execution of God’s judgment. “Satiated with dishonor instead of glory,” this delinquent world is about to drink from the bowl of Jehovah’s rage, which represents his will toward it. ‘There will be disgrace upon its glory.’—Habakkuk 2:16. (Habakkuk 2:17) For the violence done to Lebʹa·non will cover you, And the destruction that terrified the beasts will come upon you, Because of your shedding men’s blood And your violence to the earth, To the cities and those living in them.

*** it-2 p. 232 Lebanon *** The prophetic words regarding the violence done to Lebanon (Hab 2:17) may refer to calamity in store for Jerusalem. Or they are perhaps to be understood literally as denoting the depletion of Lebanon’s forests through the ravages of war.—Compare Isa 14:5-8. (Habakkuk 2:19) Woe to the one who says to a piece of wood, “Awake!” Or to a speechless stone, “Wake up! Instruct us!” Look! It is overlaid in gold and silver, And there is no breath at all within it.

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*** w00 2/1 pp. 18-19 par. 19 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** Jehovah has the prophet pronounce these powerful words: “Woe to the one saying to the piece of wood: ‘O do awake!’ to a dumb stone: ‘O wake up! It itself will give instruction’! Look! It is sheathed in gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.” (Habakkuk 2:19) To this day, both Christendom and so-called heathendom bow to their crucifixes, Madonnas, icons, and other likenesses of man and beast. None of these can awake to save their worshipers when Jehovah comes to execute judgment. Their overlays of gold and silver pale into dead meaninglessness in comparison to the magnificence of the eternal God, Jehovah, and the glories of his living creations. May we extol his peerless name forever! (Habakkuk 2:20) But Jehovah is in his holy temple. Be silent before him, all the earth!’”

*** w00 2/1 p. 19 par. 20 Jehovah Will Not Delay *** 20 Yes, our God, Jehovah, is worthy of all praise. With a feeling of deep reverence for him, let us heed that stern warning against idolatry. But listen! Jehovah is still speaking: “Jehovah is in his holy temple. Keep silence before him, all the earth!” (Habakkuk 2:20) The prophet doubtless had Jerusalem’s temple in mind. However, we today are privileged to worship in a far grander spiritual temple arrangement, where our Lord Jesus Christ is installed as High Priest. Here, in the earthly courtyard of that temple, we meet, serve, and pray, rendering to Jehovah the honor that is due his glorious name. And what joy we have in rendering heartfelt worship to our loving heavenly Father!

*** si p. 161 par. 3 Bible Book Number 35—Habakkuk *** 3 When did Habakkuk make his prophetic pronouncements? The above-mentioned subscription and the words “Jehovah is in his holy temple” indicate that the temple in Jerusalem was still standing. (2:20) This, together with the message of the prophecy, suggests that it was spoken not long before Jerusalem’s destruction in 607 B.C.E. (Habakkuk 3:1) The prayer of Ha·bakʹkuk the prophet, in dirges:

*** w00 2/1 pp. 19-20 par. 3 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 3 Habakkuk chapter 3 is a prayer. According to verse 1, it is expressed in dirges, songs of grief or lamentation. The prophet’s prayer is offered as if it were for himself. Actually, though, Habakkuk is speaking on behalf of God’s chosen nation. Today, his prayer has a great deal of meaning for God’s people, who are engaged in the Kingdom-preaching work. When we read Habakkuk chapter 3 with this in mind, its words fill us with foreboding but also with joy. Habakkuk’s prayer, or dirge, gives us strong reason to be joyful in Jehovah, the God of our salvation. (Habakkuk 3:2) O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you. I am in awe, O Jehovah, of your activity. In the midst of the years bring it to life! In the midst of the years make it known. May you remember to show mercy during the turmoil.

*** re chap. 18 p. 108 par. 15 Earthquakes in the Lord’s Day ***

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15 Some 200 years after Joel, the prophet Habakkuk said in prayer to his God: “O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you. I have become afraid, O Jehovah, of your activity. In the midst of the years O bring it to life! In the midst of the years may you make it known. During the agitation, to show mercy may you remember.” What would that “agitation” be? Habakkuk goes on to give a graphic description of the great tribulation, saying of Jehovah: “He stood still, that he might shake up the earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. . . . With denunciation you went marching through the earth. In anger you went threshing the nations. Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:1, 2, 6, 12, 18) What a mighty shaking Jehovah will cause in all the earth when he threshes the nations!

*** w00 2/1 p. 20 par. 4 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 4 As we have noted in the two preceding articles, conditions were very bad in the land of Judah in Habakkuk’s day. But God would not allow this situation to continue. Jehovah would take action, as he had in the past. No wonder the prophet cried out: “O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you. I have become afraid, O Jehovah, of your activity”! What did he mean? ‘The report about Jehovah’ was the recorded history of God’s mighty deeds, such as at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, and at Jericho. These acts were well-known to Habakkuk, and they made him afraid because he knew that Jehovah would again use his great power against his enemies. When we see the wickedness of mankind today, we too know that Jehovah will act as he did in ancient times. Does that make us apprehensive? Of course! Nevertheless, we pray as did Habakkuk: “In the midst of the years O bring it to life! In the midst of the years may you make it known. During the agitation, to show mercy may you remember.” (Habakkuk 3:2) In God’s due time, “in the midst of the years,” may he bring his miraculous power into action. And at that time, may he remember to show mercy to those who love him! (Habakkuk 3:3) God came from Teʹman, The Holy One from Mount Paʹran. (Selah) His majesty covered the heavens; With his praise the earth was filled.

*** it-1 p. 680 Edom *** In the poetic blessing Moses pronounced over Israel before his death, he described Jehovah God as ‘coming from Sinai,’ as having “flashed forth from Seir [Edom],” and as having ‘beamed forth from the mountains of Paran.’ A similar description occurs in Barak and Deborah’s song and in the prophecy of Habakkuk. (De 33:2; Jg 5:4, 5; Hab 3:3, 4) This prophetic portrayal thus evidently sets forth the arena, or theater, in which Jehovah had manifested himself to his newly formed nation, illuminating them as by flashes of light shining over the mountain peaks.

*** it-2 p. 1076 Teman *** 2. A place identified by some scholars with Tawilan, about 5 km (3 mi) E of Petra. It was evidently an Edomite city or district (the land of the Temanites), where the descendants of Teman resided. (Ge 36:34; Jer 49:7, 20; Eze 25:13; Am 1:11, 12; Ob 9) The place became noted as a center of wisdom. (Jer 49:7) In the book of Habakkuk, God is spoken of as coming from “Teman, even a Holy One from Mount Paran.” This may refer to Jehovah’s shining forth in glory, his splendor reflecting from the mountains as he brought his newly formed nation past Edom en route to the Promised Land.—Hab 3:3, 4; compare De 33:2.

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*** w00 2/1 p. 20 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Jehovah on the March! 5 What will happen when Jehovah hears our prayer for mercy? We find the answer at Habakkuk 3:3, 4. First, the prophet says: “God himself proceeded to come from Teman, even a Holy One from Mount Paran.” Back in the prophet Moses’ day, Teman and Paran were on Israel’s route through the wilderness toward Canaan. As the large nation of Israel proceeded on their trek, Jehovah himself seemed to be on the move, and nothing could stop him. Shortly before Moses died, he said: “Jehovah—from Sinai he came, and he flashed forth from Seir upon them. He beamed forth from the mountainous region of Paran, and with him were holy myriads [of angels].” (Deuteronomy 33:2) When Jehovah moves against his enemies at Armageddon, there will be a similar display of his irresistible might. 6 Habakkuk also states: “[Jehovah’s] dignity covered the heavens; and with his praise the earth became filled. As for his brightness, it got to be just like the light.” What a magnificent spectacle! True, humans cannot look upon Jehovah God and live. (Exodus 33:20) As for faithful servants of God, however, the eyes of their hearts are dazzled when they contemplate his magnificence. (Ephesians 1:18) (Habakkuk 3:4) His brightness was like the light. Two rays flashed from his hand, Where his strength was hidden.

*** w00 2/1 p. 20 par. 6 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** As for his brightness, it got to be just like the light.” What a magnificent spectacle! True, humans cannot look upon Jehovah God and live. (Exodus 33:20) As for faithful servants of God, however, the eyes of their hearts are dazzled when they contemplate his magnificence. (Ephesians 1:18) And discerning Christians see something in addition to Jehovah’s glory. Habakkuk 3:4 concludes: “He had two rays issuing out of his hand, and there the hiding of his strength was.” Yes, we see that Jehovah is ready to act, using his right hand of strength and power. (Habakkuk 3:5) Before him went pestilence, And burning fever followed at his feet.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 20-21 par. 7 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 7 God’s triumphal march means disaster for those who rebel against him. Habakkuk 3:5 says: “Before him pestilence kept going, and burning fever would go forth at his feet.” When the Israelites were close to the boundaries of the Promised Land in 1473 B.C.E., many of them rebelled, engaging in immorality and idolatry. As a result, well over 20,000 died of a pestilence sent by God. (Numbers 25:1-9) In the near future, when Jehovah marches to “the war of the great day of God the Almighty,” those rebelling against him will similarly suffer for their sins. Some may even die by literal pestilence.—Revelation 16:14, 16. (Habakkuk 3:6) He stood still and shook the earth. With a look, he made nations leap. The eternal mountains were smashed, And the ancient hills bowed down. The paths of long ago are his.

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*** w07 11/15 p. 10 par. 8 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 3:6. Nothing will be able to stand in the way of Jehovah when he executes his judgment, not even human organizations that seem as permanent as the mountains and the hills.

*** jd chap. 3 p. 32 par. 6 The Day of Jehovah—A Vital Theme *** Habakkuk vividly portrayed how Jehovah will smash “the eternal mountains” and bring low “the indefinitely lasting hills,” fitting representations of human organizations, which might seem enduring. (Habakkuk 3:6-12)

*** re chap. 18 p. 108 par. 15 Earthquakes in the Lord’s Day *** 15 Some 200 years after Joel, the prophet Habakkuk said in prayer to his God: “O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you. I have become afraid, O Jehovah, of your activity. In the midst of the years O bring it to life! In the midst of the years may you make it known. During the agitation, to show mercy may you remember.” What would that “agitation” be? Habakkuk goes on to give a graphic description of the great tribulation, saying of Jehovah: “He stood still, that he might shake up the earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. . . . With denunciation you went marching through the earth. In anger you went threshing the nations. Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:1, 2, 6, 12, 18) What a mighty shaking Jehovah will cause in all the earth when he threshes the nations!

*** w00 2/1 p. 21 par. 8 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 8 Hear now the prophet’s graphic description of Jehovah of armies in action. At Habakkuk 3:6, we read: “He [Jehovah God] stood still, that he might shake up the earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. And the eternal mountains got to be smashed; the indefinitely lasting hills bowed down. The walkings of long ago are his.” First, Jehovah ‘stands still,’ like a general surveying the battlefield. His enemies shake in fear. They see who their opponent is and are shocked, jumping in agitation. Jesus foretold the time when “all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation.” (Matthew 24:30) Too late they will realize that no one can stand against Jehovah. Human organizations—even those that seem as permanent as “the eternal mountains” and “the indefinitely lasting hills”—will crumble. It will then be like God’s “walkings of long ago,” like the way he acted in ancient times. (Habakkuk 3:7) I saw trouble in the tents of Cuʹshan. The tent cloths of the land of Midʹi·an trembled.

*** it-1 p. 559 Cush *** Still others suggest that the “land of Cush” encircled by the Gihon was on the Arabian Peninsula, since the name “Cushan” is used to parallel “the land of Midian” at Habakkuk 3:7, Midian being located generally in the vicinity of the Gulf of ʽAqaba.

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*** it-1 pp. 560-561 Cushan *** CUSHAN

(Cuʹshan). Cushan appears at Habakkuk 3:7 as paralleling “the land of Midian” and hence evidently is another name for Midian or relates to a neighboring country. As shown in the article CUSH (No. 2), some descendants of Cush appear to have settled on the Arabian Peninsula; and the name Kusi or Kushim was anciently used to describe certain Arabic peoples of that region.

*** it-2 p. 397 Midian *** 3. The territory occupied by the Midianites was known as “Midian” or “the land of Midian.” (1Ki 11:18; Hab 3:7) It is generally agreed that the descendants of Midian established themselves mainly in the NW part of Arabia just E of the Gulf of ʽAqaba. But the extent of their landholdings is uncertain and must have varied in the course of their history. During Moses’ lifetime many Midianites were apparently living near Moabite territory and in the vicinity of the region controlled by Amorite King Sihon.—Nu 22:4; 31:8- 12; Jos 13:21. (Habakkuk 3:10) Mountains writhed in pain at the sight of you. A downpour of waters swept through. The deep roared with its voice. It lifted its hands high.

*** w00 2/1 p. 21 par. 9 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Mountains saw you; they got to be in severe pains. A thunderstorm of waters passed through. The watery deep gave forth its sound. On high its hands it lifted up.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 21-22 par. 10 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** In 1513 B.C.E., Jehovah showed his mastery over the earth’s watery deep when he used the Red Sea to destroy Pharaoh’s armies. Forty years later, the river Jordan at full flood level was no obstacle to Israel’s triumphant march into the Promised Land. (Joshua 3:15-17) In the days of Deborah the prophetess, torrential rains washed away the chariots of Israel’s enemy Sisera. (Judges 5:21) These same forces of flood, torrential rain, and watery deep will be at Jehovah’s disposal at Armageddon.

*** ws chap. 19 pp. 156-157 par. 9 The Impending “War of the Great Day of God the Almighty” *** spouting waters from deep within the earth, and crackling lightnings. At the flashing of God’s means of death to his enemies, the light will be so intense by day and by night that the natural sun and moon will appear to be no longer needed for illumination. It will be as if they stood still, not functioning as light bearers but letting Jehovah’s radiant missiles put on a display of illuminating power. (Habakkuk 3:10, 11)

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(Habakkuk 3:11) Sun and moon stood still in their lofty abode. Your arrows went out like the light. The lightning of your spear was brilliant.

*** w00 2/1 p. 22 pars. 10-11 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Thunder and lightning too are in his hand, like a spear or a quiver full of arrows. 11 Truly, it will be awe-inspiring when Jehovah unleashes his great power. Habakkuk’s words suggest that night will turn into day and day will be brighter than the sun could ever make it. Whether this inspired prophetic description of Armageddon is literal or symbolic, one thing is sure—Jehovah will prevail, allowing no enemy to escape.

*** w00 2/1 p. 21 pars. 9-10 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Sun—moon—stood still, in the lofty abode thereof. Like light your own arrows kept going. The lightning of your spear served for brightness.”—Habakkuk 3:7-11. 10 In the days of Joshua, Jehovah caused the sun and the moon to stand still in an astounding demonstration of power. (Joshua 10:12-14) Habakkuk’s prophecy reminds us that this same power will be used by Jehovah at Armageddon.

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*** w00 2/1 p. 22 par. 12 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 12 The prophet continues to describe Jehovah’s actions in destroying His enemies. At Habakkuk 3:12, we read: “With denunciation you went marching through the earth. In anger you went threshing the nations.”

*** w00 2/1 p. 22 par. 12 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Today, however, the nations are trying to wipe out pure worship. Soon, Jehovah’s servants will be attacked by the forces of Gog of Magog. (Ezekiel 38:1–39:13; Revelation 17:1-5, 16-18) Will that satanic assault succeed? No! Jehovah will then angrily thresh his enemies, pounding them underfoot like grain on a threshing floor. (Habakkuk 3:13) You went out for the salvation of your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the house of the wicked. It was exposed from the foundation to the top. (Selah)

*** w07 11/15 p. 10 par. 9 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 3:13. We have the assurance that the destruction at Armageddon will not be random. Jehovah will save his faithful servants.

*** w00 2/1 p. 22 par. 12 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Still, Jehovah will not destroy at random. Some humans will be saved. “You went forth for the salvation of your people, to save your anointed one,” says Habakkuk 3:13. Yes, Jehovah will save his faithful anointed servants. The destruction of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, will then be complete.

*** w00 2/1 p. 22 pars. 12-13 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** But he will save those who worship him with spirit and truth.—John 4:24. 13 The thorough annihilation of the wicked is foretold in these words: “You [Jehovah] broke to pieces the head one out of the house of the wicked one. There was a laying of the foundation bare, clear up to the neck.” (Habakkuk 3:13) This “house” is the wicked system developed under the influence of Satan the Devil. It will be shattered. The “head one,” or anti-God leaders, will be crushed. The whole structure will be demolished, down to its foundation. It will no longer exist. What a wonderful relief that will be!

*** w89 5/15 p. 25 Salvation Possible When God Takes Vengeance *** 3:13—God’s saving power was often experienced by his chosen and anointed people, the nation of Israel. (Psalm 28:8, 9) In time, it produced the Messiah, the “seed” of God’s heavenly “woman.” (Genesis 3:15) Jehovah will also save the remaining members of that “seed,” the remnant of Jesus’ spirit-anointed disciples, from attack by Satan and the nations.—Revelation 12:17. (Habakkuk 3:14) You pierced the head of his warriors with his own weapons When they stormed out to scatter me. They were overjoyed to devour an afflicted one in secret.

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*** w00 2/1 p. 22 par. 14 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 14 At Armageddon, those trying to destroy Jehovah’s “anointed one” will be thrown into confusion. According to Habakkuk 3:14, 15, the prophet speaks to God, saying: “With his own rods you pierced the head of his warriors when they moved tempestuously to scatter me. Their high glee was as of those bent on devouring an afflicted one in a place of concealment.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 22-23 par. 15 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 15 When Habakkuk says “warriors . . . moved tempestuously to scatter me,” the prophet speaks for Jehovah’s anointed servants. Like highwaymen lying in wait, the nations will leap out upon Jehovah’s worshipers to destroy them. These enemies of God and of his people will be in “high glee,” confident of success. Faithful Christians will appear weak, like “an afflicted one.” But when the anti-God forces launch their attack, Jehovah will make them turn their weapons against themselves. They will use their arms, or “rods,” against their own warriors. (Habakkuk 3:15) Through the sea you trod with your horses, Through the surging of vast waters.

*** w00 2/1 p. 22 par. 14 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Through the sea you trod with your horses, through the heap of vast waters.”

*** w00 2/1 p. 23 par. 16 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 16 But there is more on the horizon. Jehovah will use superhuman spirit forces to complete the destruction of his foes. With the “horses” of his heavenly armies under Jesus Christ, he will push onward victoriously through “the sea” and “the heap of vast waters,” that is, the surging mass of enemy humanity. (Revelation 19:11-21) Then the wicked will be removed from the earth. What a forceful demonstration of divine power and justice! (Habakkuk 3:16) I heard and I trembled within; At the sound my lips quivered. Rottenness entered my bones; My legs beneath me were shaking. But I quietly wait for the day of distress, For it is coming upon the people who attack us.

*** w00 2/1 pp. 23-24 par. 17 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 17 We can be sure that Habakkuk’s words will soon be fulfilled. They will not delay. How do you react to this foreknowledge? Remember that Habakkuk was writing under divine inspiration. Jehovah will act, and there will be havoc on earth when that happens. It is no wonder that the prophet wrote: “I heard, and my belly began to be agitated; at the sound my lips quivered; rottenness began to enter into my bones; and in my situation I was agitated, that I should quietly wait for the day of distress, for his coming up to the people, that he may raid them.” (Habakkuk 3:16) Habakkuk was very agitated—understandably so. But was his faith shaken? In no way! He was willing to wait quietly for Jehovah’s great day. (2 Peter 3:11, 12) Is that not our attitude too? Surely it is! We have full faith that Habakkuk’s prophecy will be fulfilled. Until it is, however, we will wait patiently. (Habakkuk 3:17) Although the fig tree may not blossom, And there may be no fruit on the

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vines; Although the olive crop may fail, And the fields may produce no food; Although the flock may disappear from the pen, And there may be no cattle in the stalls;

*** it-1 p. 831 Fig *** In view of this prominence of the fig tree in the life of the people, it is understandable why it was so frequently used in prophecy. Because of its importance to the nation’s food supply the utter failure of the fig crop would be calamitous. Thus, the fig tree received special mention when destruction, or ruination, was foretold for the land.—Jer 5:17; 8:13; Ho 2:12; Joe 1:7, 12; Am 4:9; Hab 3:17.

*** w07 11/15 p. 10 par. 10 Highlights From the Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah *** 3:17-19. Even though hardship may befall us before and during Armageddon, we can be confident that Jehovah will supply us with “vital energy” as we joyfully continue serving him.

*** w00 2/1 p. 24 par. 18 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 18 Warfare always brings hardship, even to the eventual victors. Food may run short. Property may be lost. Standards of living may go down. If that happens to us, how will we react? Habakkuk had an exemplary attitude, for he said: “Although the fig tree itself may not blossom, and there may be no yield on the vines; the work of the olive tree may actually turn out a failure, and the terraces themselves may actually produce no food; the flock may actually be severed from the pen, and there may be no herd in the enclosures;

*** w00 2/1 p. 24 pars. 18-19 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** (Habakkuk 3:17, 18) Habakkuk realistically expected hardships, perhaps famine. Still, he never lost his joy in Jehovah, from whom his salvation came. 19 Today, even before Jehovah’s war against the wicked, many suffer severe distress. Jesus foretold that wars, famines, earthquakes, and pestilences would be part of ‘the sign of his presence’ in royal power. (Matthew 24:3-14; Luke 21:10, 11) Many of our fellow believers live in lands severely afflicted by the fulfillment of Jesus’ words, and they suffer great hardships as a result. Other Christians may be similarly affected in the future. For many more of us, it is quite possible that ‘the fig tree will not blossom’ before the end comes. However, we know why these things are happening, and that gives us strength. Moreover, we have support. Jesus promised: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his [God’s] righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) That does not guarantee a comfortable life, but it does assure us that if we put Jehovah first in our lives, he will watch over us.—Psalm 37:25.

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(Habakkuk 3:18) Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

*** w00 2/1 p. 24 par. 18 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17, 18) Habakkuk realistically expected hardships, perhaps famine. Still, he never lost his joy in Jehovah, from whom his salvation came.

*** w00 2/1 p. 24 par. 20 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** 20 Whatever temporary hardships we have to face, we will not lose faith in Jehovah’s saving power. Many of our brothers and sisters in Africa, Eastern Europe, and other places have to face extreme hardships, but they keep on ‘exulting in Jehovah.’ May we, like them, never cease to do the same. Remember that the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is our Source of “vital energy.” (Habakkuk 3:19) He will never fail us. Armageddon is sure to come, and God’s promised new world is certain to follow. (2 Peter 3:13) Then “the earth will be filled with the knowing of the glory of Jehovah as the waters themselves cover over the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14) Until that wonderful time, let us follow the good example of Habakkuk. Let us always ‘exult in Jehovah and be joyful in the God of our salvation.’ (Habakkuk 3:19) The Sovereign Lord Jehovah is my strength; He will make my feet like those of a deer And cause me to tread on high places.

*** w00 2/1 p. 24 par. 20 Joyful in the God of Our Salvation *** Remember that the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is our Source of “vital energy.” (Habakkuk 3:19) He will never fail us.

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