The Glory of the Lord Shall Cover the Earth
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14
The prophet Habakkuk, amid turmoil and uncertainty, proclaims a powerful truth in Habakkuk 2:14: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." This verse stands out in the context of its narrative, revealing both the heart of God and the purpose of His creation.
To truly appreciate the depth of this verse, we must first understand the setting in which Habakkuk delivered this prophetic message. This minor prophet lived during a turbulent time for Israel. The people faced impending doom, subjugation, and moral decay. Amid these dark clouds, Habakkuk conversed with God, wrestling with the questions of justice and suffering - a relatable struggle for many of us today. In chapter 1, he questions why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. In chapter 2, God responds, promising that justice would ultimately prevail and revealing the ultimate hope that the knowledge of His glory would fill the earth.
Habakkuk 2:14 serves as a beacon of hope. It is an assurance that, despite current circumstances, God's glory is destined to be revealed. The phrase "filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD" suggests a comprehensive understanding that permeates every corner of creation. Just as "the waters cover the sea," enveloping it entirely, so too shall the knowledge of God encompass the whole earth.
This prophecy speaks to the universal nature of God's glory. The Lord has crafted this world and designed humanity with an innate yearning to know Him. His glory is not confined to a select group or nation; it is meant to be known by all. Romans 1:20 echoes this truth, declaring that God's invisible attributes are clearly seen through creation. In every sunrise and sunset, in the majesty of the mountains and the depth of the oceans, God’s glory cries out for recognition.
Moreover, this knowledge of glory is not merely intellectual; it is transformative. Encountering the glory of God changes us. It draws us into a relationship with the Creator that reshapes our understanding of ourselves and others. The promise in Habakkuk fuels the believer's mission: to spread the knowledge of God's glory, which can bring hope and healing in a broken world. We are called to be vessels through which His glory shines, reflecting His character to those around us. Jesus Himself commissioned us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), inviting us to participate in this great movement of revelation.
But how do we grasp this knowledge of His glory? We must seek Him earnestly, turning our hearts toward worship and prayer. Psalm 27:4 emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the house of the Lord and gazing upon His beauty. Our pursuit of God must become intentional, as we set aside time to explore His Word, meditate on His nature, and attune our hearts to His Spirit. Each encounter with His presence and glory deepens our understanding, allowing us to share that knowledge effectively with others.
As we await the fulfillment of Habakkuk’s promise, we recognize that we are living in the already but not yet. The knowledge of God's glory is manifest today through the Church, the body of Christ, as we live out the gospel in words and actions. We reflect His love, grace, and truth in a world that desperately needs it. The more we invite His glory into our lives, the brighter our witness becomes.
Ultimately, Habakkuk's proclamation assures us that, regardless of our circumstances, God's purposes will prevail. With every challenge we face, let us hold fast to the promise that the earth will be filled with knowledge of His glory. Let this knowledge empower us to share the hope of His glory with a world searching for meaning and truth. As we engage with our communities, living out this promise, we join in the prophetic vision of Habakkuk, anticipating the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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Habakkuk 2:14 - "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14
Habakkuk 1:14 - "And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?"
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Habakkuk 2:12 - "¶ Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!"
Habakkuk 2:11 - "For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it."
Habakkuk 3:14 - "Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly."
Habakkuk 2:2 - "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
"And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?" - Habakkuk 1:14
Habakkuk 2:20 - "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."
Habakkuk 2:13 - "Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?"
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 2:4 - "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."
Habakkuk 2:7 - "Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?"
Habakkuk 2:10 - "Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul."
Habakkuk 2:15 - "¶ Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!"
"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." - Habakkuk 2:1
"¶ Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!" - Habakkuk 2:12
Habakkuk 2:9 - "¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!"
Habakkuk 1:2 - "O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!"
Habakkuk 2:19 - "Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it."
Habakkuk 2:18 - "¶ What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?"
Habakkuk 2:17 - "For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein."
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." - Habakkuk 2:2
Habakkuk 2:8 - "Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein."
Habakkuk 2:1 - "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved."
Habakkuk 3:2 - "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."
"For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it." - Habakkuk 2:11
Habakkuk 2:2-3 - "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."