Acts 13:40

“Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets, ‘Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish, for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, if one declare it to you.' ”

But what of those who did not respond. Let them beware, says Paul. Let them remember the words of Habakkuk the prophet in Habakkuk 1:5. ‘Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish, for I work a work in your days, A work which you shall in no wise believe, if one declare it to you.' It is the principle behind these words that is in mind not the context. It is a warning that when God works it is time to take note. For those who become aware of God's working and ignore it end up wondering and perishing. When awesome things are happening which appear to be unbelievable, it is wise to see God's hand in it and respond.

The context of Habakkuk's words was the approach of the invaders. The Babylonians were coming and there would be such things occurring as would be beyond belief. And sadly Israel were so blind to God's working that it would inevitably come on them. They would suffer the consequences precisely because they could not believe that it was of God, and that God would do what He had said. And yet as he would go on to point out, those who were righteous by faith would live (Acts 2:4). Those whose hearts were open towards God would be accepted by Him and would have life.

And the same was true for Paul's listeners. God had worked an even greater wonder in their day. Would they wonder and perish because they were unbelievers? Or would they respond and believe and find life and forgiveness through His Name?