Reading for February 9th

 Read Habakkuk 2.5-20. In 2.5-20: Five proverbial sayings about the fall of tyrants. These sayings all claim that oppressors, like the Babylonians, will be suitably judged (1.17). In each saying, all of which except the last begin with "Alas," the tyrant experiences a reversal of fortune, as if imperial power has within it the seeds of its own destruction. In verse 5: The introduction to these sayings describes the insatiable greed of the tyrant. Sheol is the realm of the dead.. In verses 6-8: Stolen wealth will itself be stolen. The Hebrew tern: translated creditors may also mean "debtors," a double meaning intended here. In verses 9-11: Security will be lost in the very strongholds built to ensure it. In verses 12-14; The greatest efforts of tyrants are only fuel for the fire. In verses 15-17: Honor gained by shaming others will itself turn to shame. In verses 18-20: False gods will fall silent. Comments or Questions..