Habakkuk

Introduction
Habakkuk was a prophet contemporary with Jeremiah and served Judah in the final days before the judgment of God fell on His people. He was troubled by the wickedness of the people and God's apparent unconcern. Why did He allow this ? Even more difficult to understand was how God could use Babylonians (who were more wicked then themselves) as an instrument to judge His people. In the words of McGee, he asks 'is God doing anything about the wrongs in the world ?' We could ask the same as we look at the world and in our personal lives. The answers God gives him teach the righteous are to live by faith 2:4.

Key Verses: 2:2,4,20; 3:2, 3:18

Theme: The Righteous Shall live by Faith

Suggested Outline:

I.   Habakkuk's First Question and God's Answer - 1:1-11
II.  Habakkuk's Second Question and God's Answer - 1:12-2:20
III. Habakkuk's Prayer - 3
    (or)
I.   Habakkuk Complains - 1
II.  Habakkuk Listens - 2
III. Habakkuk Prayers - 3
    (Jensen)

Habakkuk 1
Habakkuk complains before the Lord with all the injustice and disregard for God's Law that he sees. He questions why God does not take action. Justice is perverted 1-4. He is saying this about his own people, the people of Judah (and maybe the world at large). Note: Have you ever asked these questions, as you consider the world or your own personal life ? The Lord answers in 5-11. His answer is an amazing one in that HE is raising up the Babylonians to judge His people 5-6. They are a ruthless people who will use their military might and skill to sweep through the land. The Babylonians are aptly described by the Lord as being powerful, self confident, and proud. This was the nation He was going to use to judge His people. What ? I am sure this was not the answer that Habakkuk expected. God will use a more wicked people than us to judge us. How can that be ? This puzzlement comes out in his second question. He starts by highlighting the fact that God is the  Holy One 12 and is too pure to look on evil or tolerate wrong 13. Then how could HE do such a thing 13b. Habakkuk observed that men were like fish without a ruler who are caught by the wicked. The wicked worships the net he uses and lives in luxury 15-16. Habakkuk asks 'how long will this go on ? 17. Note: We see injustice and the prosperity of the wicked and we likewise ask God why ?

Habakkuk 2
Habakkuk stands watch and waits for the Lord's answer to his questions 1. The Lord's reply, calls him to write down the vision and to wait for its fulfillment, though it may take time to come to pass 2-3. It will also benefit others in the process. Note: Some things will be made known as they unfold in God's greater plans (see: Romans 8:28-30). The Lord continues by further describing the Babylonians as an individual (with the personal pronoun 'he') 4-12. The Babylonians are proud, given to wine, greedy, and makes captive of other nations 4-5. By way of contrast, the righteous are to live by faith 4b. To live by faith means one will trust in the Lord regardless of being able to understand all the ways of God. To live by faith also means, one will trust in the Lord and not in himself or the wicked schemes of others. The Lord indicates that the wicked (Babylonians) would also come under judgment as they are plundered 6-8. Woe is spoken against those who build their realm by unjust gain 9 and their city by bloodshed 12. The Lord knows and takes note of all of this. He will take action in judging such. All that they built will be fuel for the fire 13. In His plan, one day, all the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea 14. Note: This 'nugget of truth' should give Habakkuk hope, for the Lord will one day be known and acknowledged by all. The Lord pronounces woe (judgment) on those who use wine to lead to immorality 15. The Lord would give them a cup (of His judgment) to drink that will bring them disgrace 16. The Babylonian's violence would come back on their heads 17. Note: As part of the Lord answer to Habakkuk is the fact that the Lord is just and will see to it that (all) the wicked will be judged. Judah and Babylon alike will face God's judgment. The Lord asks of what value is an idol 18 ? Woe to him who says to an idol 'come to life'. All idols are useless, dumb, and are a lie. They can nor save, give guidance, or come to the aid of those who trust in them 18-19. Yet The LORD is in His holy temple and all the earth is to be silent before Him 20 ! Note: Can it be, that when we face the perplexing questions of life that our response it to worship the Lord ? We can not trust in the works of our hands or in the idols we fashion. Sometimes a godly response is to be silent before Him (ie. say no more). Also, there is no suggestion in the text that Habakkuk was 'out of line' nor wrong for posing such questions. However, some answers are complex and the simple answer is to trust in the Lord and continued worship of Him (2:4b,20 respectively).

Habakkuk 3
This chapter is Habakkuk's prayer and is his response to what the Lord had revealed to him. It may have been intended to be used in temple worship or as a teaching word for the people. Verse one includes the word 'shigionoth' which is a word meaning 'to reel to and fro' or 'to transgress or err'. It may be a musical term which refers how it was to be sung. This term is used in Psalm 7. A word at the end of verse 19 indicates that was to be set to music, which suggests it may have been part of the temple worship. In the broad theme of the book, his response is to pray and praise the Lord ! Habakkuk begins with being in awe of God and the deeds He has done. He desires to see them again. His request is for mercy in the midst of wrath 2b. In 3-6 Habakkuk desribes the awesome presence of the Lord in vivid and poetic terms. Note: Here is one of many places where the is worshiped as He is 'creatively' described. Note that he concludes that the ways of the Lord are eternal 6b. Habakkuk questioned and marveled at the Lord's impact on the natural world as His judgments were poured out 8-12. Yet the Lord delievers His people in the misdt of this 13a. The Lord's judgment is directed at the wicked 13b-15. As Habakkuk considers this his heart pounded and all his body was overwhelmed 16a. He confesses faith in the Lord as he waits for the Lord to bring judgment on the Babylonians 16. Even if things get really bad and there is no evidence that the Lord is doing anything 17, yet he will rejoice in the Lord, being joyful in God, his Savior 18. Note: Can you and I, who know the Lord personally, respond in the same way to the perplexing problems of life ? (where the Lord seems to be unconcerned or unjust). The final word in verse 19 is a confession of faith. The Sovereign Lord is his strength. He makes his feet like that of deer that is able to climb on the heights. Thus, the Lord gives stablity and a 'sure footedness' to the believer in the midst of this earthly life. Note: What a great word of assurance and hope to end a book that began with complaints and troubling concerns.