The Plunderer Is Becoming The Plundered
Because you [king of Babylon] have plundered many nations, all who are left of the people shall plunder you—because of men’s blood and for the violence done to the earth, to the city and all the people who live in each city. Habakkuk 2:8 (Amplified Bible Classic edition, AMPC)
A significant and useful aspect of Bible study is searching out the application of Scripture to our lives. This verse from Habakkuk is a good example of this. The world system is often referred to as the Babylonian system, a system that controls and enslaves its people. This verse is addressing the king of Babylon, so it can be applied to us today regarding the wicked world system. Let’s consider what it tells us.
The world system has plundered us, or stolen from us. It has taken the hard-earned money of the men and women of this country- and of many countries- and placed it in the pockets of the wicked and corrupt. Fraudulent means of extracting money from us have been employed by those who are supposed to serve us. This has gone on for generations.
However, this verse supports the great wealth transfer mentioned in Proverbs. It says that we, the people, shall plunder the plunderers. As the army of the Lord, we are spoiling the enemy. That which has been stolen and hoarded by arrogant elites and those who have no legitimate claim to it, is being returned to us- with interest. If we include the previous verses with it, this becomes even clearer.
Shall not all these [victims of his greed] take up a taunt against him and in scoffing derision of him say, Woe to him who piles up that which is not his! [How long will he possess it?] And [woe to him] who loads himself with promissory notes for usury! Shall [your debtors] not rise up suddenly who shall bite you, exacting usury of you, and those awake who will vex you [toss you to and fro and make you tremble violently]? Then you will be booty for them. Because you [king of Babylon] have plundered many nations, all who are left of the people shall plunder you—because of men’s blood and for the violence done to the earth, to the city and all the people who live in each city. Habakkuk 2:6-8 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)
The wicked have carried out their crimes in front of us all, using violence to keep people quiet about their wicked deeds. However, this is coming to an end- right now. They are becoming booty, or plunder, for us. They have piled up that which is not theirs and charged outrageous amounts of usury (interest). The tables are turning. The lender is becoming the borrower. The plunderer is becoming the plundered. And the wealth of the sinner is being moved into our hands. The riches have been laid up for us, saved and piled up for us by the wicked without them even knowing what they were doing. God has used them to set us up so we can leave future generations a great inheritance.
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) emphasis mine
