Read: All of Habakkuk (only 3 chapters).
Name:__________________________________________Date:______________________
Vital Statistics:
PURPOSE:
To show that God is still in control of the world despite the apparent triumph of evil.
AUTHOR:
Habakkuk - The Prophet of Faith and ministered to the House of Judah. His name means "embrace" either signifying that he was "embraced by God" and thus strengthened by Him for his difficult task, or "embracing others" and so encouraging them in time of national crisis. The musical notation at the end of 3:19 may indicate that he was qualified to lead in temple worship. The Prophet who questioned God.
TO WHOM WRITTEN:
Judah, the southern kingdom and God’s people everywhere.
DATE WRITTEN:
Covers a period of about 20 years during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim of Judah. Possibly written between ________B.C & __________B.C.
SETTING:
Babylon was becoming the dominant world power and Judah would soon feel Babylon’s destructive force.
KEY VERSES:
"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." (2:1-3)
KEY PEOPLE: Habakkuk, the Chaldeans (Babylonians)
KEY PLACE: Judah.
SPECIAL FEATURES UNIQUE TO HABAKKUK:
The questioning Prophet, "Why is there evil in the world?" "Why do the wicked seem to be Winning?" he takes his questions directly to God and obviously expects an answer. He is burdened for his people. Most of the first chapter is concerned with his questions. God’s answer fills chapter 2. As Habakkuk receives his answer his questions turn to a prayer of triumph and a hymn of Praise. ( Note especially 3:18,19). As you read this short book you will go through 3 distinct and definite emotional experiences. Also Paul in Romans, and Martin Luther used verse 4 of Chapter 2 as keys to being freed from legalism and released into the realm of Grace.
THE BLUEPRINT:
HABAKKUK’S DOUBT (1:1-2:20)
HABAKKUK’S PRAYER (3:1-19)
MEGATHEMES FOUND IN THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK:
Struggle and doubt – the prophet struggles with what he sees as the wicked getting away with their evil ways. He doesn’t seem to understand why a "just God" would allow such evil to exist. God answered him with words of hope.
God’s Sovereignty – God used the wicked Babylonians to punish his people then promises Habakkuk that after Babylon had fulfilled His purpose He would then punish them.
Hope – God is in charge, we can have confidence that he will love us and guard our relationship with him forever.
QUESTIONS:
What was Habakkuk’s question to God? (Chapter 1) _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What was God’s response? (Chapter 1) _______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What did Habakkuk determine to do? (Chapter 2) _______________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What did God tell Habakkuk to do? (Chapter 2) _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
What does "tarry" mean? ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
In Two Words what is Chapter 3? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY:
Habakkuk is not a direct address to the people of Judah, but rather is a dialogue between the prophet and God. In the first conversation, he complains of God’s apparent lack of concern over Judah’s sins. The Lord replies that He will use the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to judge Judah. To Habakkuk this only complicates the matter and in the second conversation he complains of God’s apparent lack of concern over the cruelty of the Babylonians, and the Lord answers that He will judge Babylon for her violence. The prophet, having his questions answered , closes with a Psalm of trust and triumph in the Lord.
NOTE: This book contains the only positive use of the word "faith" in the Old Testament
CHRIST SEEN:
Christ is seen as the Judge of Babylon (Revelation 17:19) and the Rewarder of those that Diligently seek him in faith. (Hebrews 10:38; 11:6) Thank you for studying with us today. At this point you may choose to either save an unfinished assignment or submit it to the Pastor’s office for review and feedback.
See you next lesson J J J J J J J J J J J J J