Though the Fig Tree Should Not Blossom

        The central theme of the book of Habakkuk is one which has perhaps never seemed so relevant to the modern Christian as January 2021. The book is concluded with the prophets resolution: “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” (Hab. 3:17-18). This is, in my opinion at least, one of the greatest examples of utter devotion and praise to He from whom all blessings flow- that even when these blessings are cut off we should still rejoice in Him. It is a beautiful sentiment, but when you put it in the context of its book it becomes even more powerful! 

The prophet raises a difficult and relevant question to Jehovah on behalf of His people: how can a God so pure in justice as Jehovah use a nation more wicked than Judah to punish His people? Before this valid question can be addressed, Habakkuk first laments over the wickedness within his own land: “Why do You make me see iniquity and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises. Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice comes out perverted.” (Hab. 1:3-4). It is easy for us to see the same things in our society today- especially even within the last year! 

God gives His reply as to what He is doing about this lawlessness, and it is something that the prophet would never expect! “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days- you would not believe if you were told. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans…” (Hab. 1:5-6) Hence the perplexity of the prophet. We may often “be astonished” ourselves at the wickedness which God allows to reign on earth, but we must have faith that He has a purpose. God goes on to explain the fierce and arrogant nature of the Chaldeans: “They are dreaded and feared; their justice and authority originate within themselves.” God is behind their rise in power and He will use it to His purposes, but they themselves are responsible for their horrible character (Hab. 1:7). Even so, how can such wickedness be used by Jehovah? The majority of the second chapter of the book deals with the eventuality that the Chaldeans will too be punished for their own wickedness. Evil is self-destructive. This principle is clearly laid out by the “woes” declared against wicked Chaldea (2:5-20). God may tolerate and make use of evil for a time, but its end is always fiery justice.The future of all nations is in God’s hands. 

Why did God come and bring such destruction to the gates of His own people? “You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for the salvation of Your anointed” (3:13). Through suffering, God’s people will be purified. They will be brought back, closer to Him. The chaff will be purged and the grain gathered and justice will be restored to Judah. “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (3:17-18). In this thought, the prophet learns another overarching theme that God intends to be taught through him: “The righteous shall live by faith” (2:4). 

“Faith in what?”, we may ask. In this case, faith that God will execute justice to whom it is due. During the tumultuous time before God’s judgement is dealt (2:2-3) and during the judgement itself (3:2), the righteous must remain patient and stay within the will of the Father. Whatever the righteous shall suffer under the oppressive hand of a wicked government, they will find spiritual, if not physical salvation, and the wicked party will be repaid in full. Hailey says on the matter: “The prophet has learned and announced to the world how God can permit and use tyranny to accomplish His divine purpose; but in the end the tyranny must be punished.” (Hailey, 273).

What is the role of the Christian in all of this? That is a question which has been the source of much debate, division and contention over the course of the past year. Answering the question honestly and without inserting personal political opinions and convictions requires a great deal of nuance and care that too many Christians aren’t willing to give. Some believe that Christians are duty-bound to be involved in the political realm- positively affecting the godliness of their nation becoming a central mission of their religion. Others believe that the political process is totally out of the Christians sphere of responsibility. Many, and probably most, are somewhere in the middle. It is a good and noble thing to desire the politics of our nation to bend further towards justice, but at the end of the day the nation’s fate is in the hands of God and no political change is going to affect the salvation of the wicked. Salvation comes by faith- deep, personal, actionable conviction that will most likely not be seen in a change in government, but in a change within the hearts of the population. Making more Christians, not more Democrats and Republicans, is the way to salvation for individuals and the nation alike. 

Hailey, H. (1972). Habakkuk. In A Commentary on the Minor Prophets (p. 273). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.