How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk according to Shigionoth. O LORD, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy. (NRSV Habakkuk 3:1-2)
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. 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. (KJV Habakkuk 3:1-2)
Habakkuk is the master of supplication. “God, I saw what you did there and I have to say that I am seriously impressed. Y’know, it would be great if you could do the same thing now.” Like we said, God actually responds to this kind of appeal. Sometimes he has to be reminded of how merciful he’s been in other situations, because he’s in the midst of a divine meltdown because of his people’s failure to act like decent human beings.
Quote #8
Then the angel of the LORD said, “O LORD of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?” Then the LORD replied with gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. …Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
(NRSV Zechariah 1:12-13, 16)Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. … Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. (KJV Zechariah 1:12-13, 16)
So now the angels are getting involved; typically, angels just function as messengers and don’t try to influence the Divine Decider. But the angel of the LORD has a point—when God’s been mad with his people so long that the babies from day 1 are now card-carrying members of the AARP, maybe it’s time to give it a rest. God responds by demonstrating his compassion by returning to Jerusalem and residing in the temple, so the angel’s plea was successful.
Quote #9
Together they shall be like warriors in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight, for the LORD is with them, and they shall put to shame the riders on horses. I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them; for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them. (NRSV Zechariah 10:5-6)
And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them. (KJV Zechariah 10:5-6)
“They shall be as though I had not rejected them”—well, except for all the people who were raped, maimed, killed, financially ruined, or still suffer from PTSD. But other than that, it’s like the whole Babylonian captivity never happened! This pattern of a relationship that’s been damaged but then restored describes most of the history of the Israelites and God.