Habakkuk
Background:
Habakkuk is a unique book. Unlike other prophets who declared God’s message to people this prophet dialogued with God about people. Most Old Testament prophets proclaimed divine judgment. Habakkuk pleaded for divine judgment. In contrast with the typical indictment, this little book records an intriguing interchange between a perplexed prophet and his Maker.[1]
It is generally accepted that the reference to the Babylonians (Hab. 1:6) places the book within the seventh century b.c.
Habakkuk wrote his lament over the decay, violence, greed, fighting, and perverted justice that surrounded him.
No wonder Habakkuk looked at all the corruption and asked, “Why doesn’t God do something?” Godly men and women continue to ask similar “whys” in a world of increasing international crises and internal corruption.
While the stage is set for a global holocaust, an unsuspecting home audience fiddles a happy tune. The nation’s moral fiber is being eaten away by a playboy philosophy that makes personal pleasure the supreme rule of life. Hedonism catches fire while homes crumble. Crime soars while the church sours. Drugs, divorce, and debauchery prevail and decency dies. frivolity dances in the streets. Faith is buried. “In God We Trust” has become a meaningless slogan stamped on corroding coins.
In such a world of crisis and chaos, Habakkuk speaks with clarity. This little book is as contemporary as the morning newspaper.[2]
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Habakkuk 1:1-4: Habakkuk’s Complaint
Ø Notice Habakkuk’s cry to the Lord. Have you ever felt that God was not hearing your prayers?
Ø Have you, like Habakkuk, ever felt like God was not responding to the injustice in our world?
Ø Could Habakkuk’s complaint be relevant for us today in the world in which we live?
Habakkuk 1:5-11: The Lord’s Answer
Ø Why did the Lord tell Habakkuk that he would not believe the answer that was coming?
Ø Do we place our own expectations on how we think God should respond to the injustices we see in this world?
Ø Can God use pagans today to accomplish His goals?
Habakkuk 1:12-2:1: Habakkuk’s Second Complaint
Ø Did Habakkuk understand what the Lord was doing? Why or why not?
Ø Do we understand what the Lord is doing in our world today? Why can’t we trust in Him rather than try to influence Him?
Ø To Habakkuk it appeared that the wicked always won and the good were always consumed by the wicked. Does this description seem to fit our society and world? Is God still in control? Do we act like He is?
Habakkuk 2:2-20: The Lord’s Answer
Ø What does God’s reply to Habakkuk teach us about God’s timing? If we don’t see His immediate answer, what should our response be? What does it mean to “wait”?
Ø How should the righteous live according to Habakkuk?
Ø From God’s perspective do the wicked ever get away with their schemes? Application for us?
Ø What is the bottom line according to the Lord? (vs. 2:20)
Habakkuk 3: Habakkuk’s Prayer
Ø What can we learn from Habakkuk’s prayer?
Ø Habakkuk seems to have gotten a hold of “faith” and “waiting”. (3:17-19) Are we too concerned with our situation and surroundings to be able to walk in faith and wait on the Lord?
Ø What is the solution when we feel overwhelmed with everything going on around us?
[1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:1505). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:1507). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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