For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Yahweh’s glory, as the waters cover the sea.

(Habakkuk 2:14, emphasis added)

The Lord instructs Habakkuk to hear the prophecy and to record it in plain language. God wants us all to understand the degree of His authority. Judah is in captivity. The Babylonians were particularly harsh to the people of God who were enslaved. God speaks about the arrogance of the oppressive ruler. Judah had brought this on themselves. They had again fallen away from their first love. They forgot Him and remembered themselves. They left worshiping Him to worship false gods Baal and Ashtaroth. They were worshiping false doctrine.

It is God Who establishes kingdoms and governments. It is God Who set the Babylonians over Judah. God gave power and authority over Judah and gave over Israel to Assyrian, Babylonian, Chaldean, Greek and Roman kings. God’s purpose is to discipline His children. The power and authority used by the cruel rulers will be taken from them by God. The people persecuted will be given the power and authority and will use it against the oppressor. All the spoils taken by the cruel ruler will become the spoils of those he oppressed. God, however, is going to set the world straight. His glory will be known to the whole world. Nothing will escape its notice. This is not an experience only, but “…knowledge of Yahweh’s.” Imagine the magnitude of His mercy and of His grace because we truly know Him in His glory. Not just a few, but “the earth will be filled…” with that knowledge. God’s creation restored and reconciled to Him. All have knowledge of His glory. His promise is fulfilled. It is true; God is love. That is the Gospel. That is “The Blessed Hope.” This is Impartial Grace.