Habakkuk
Twelve Minor Prophets With Major Life Lessons (Series)
Historical setting:
Habakkuk served during the final decades of the Southern Kingdom, when idolatry and injustice were rampant.
Babylon’s power was growing and so was their threat.
Habakkuk doesn’t speak to the people for God, instead the book of Habakkuk is about his accusing words to God, and God’s response to him.
The first two chapters record Habakkuk arguing with God.
Complaint #1-Life is full of violence and injustice and Israel’s leaders are looking the other way for a price.
God’s response: He will use Babylon to destroy Israel because of their injustice and evil.
Complaint #2-Habakkuk is mad at God. He says, Babylon is worse than Israel. How dare You use corrupt nations to condemn Israel throughout history.
God’s response: Write down a vision about the future. God will destroy Babylon. God is the one who brings nations in and out of power. All nations are accountable to His justice.
At the end of chapter 2, God describes 5 ‘woes’ that are common to Babylon.
The first and second are about unjust business dealings.
The third woe is about slave labor.
The fourth woe is about partying instead of serving.
The fifth woe is about Idolatry.
Chapter 3: Habakkuk’s Prayer
Habakkuk asks God to act now in humbling corrupt nations.
The response is a poem of God appearing in power to deal with evil and sin.
It’s referred to as a future exodus. God will once more bring His judgement down on the head of the evil house.
When God brings His judgement down, He will save His people and His anointed One.
The Exodus story of the past, becomes an image of the future Exodus God will bring to His people.
God will defeat all evil and bring down the bad leaders of the world.
We can put our hope in Him.
The righteous live by faith.
