Here's the next installment on my studies/discussion series on the Minor Prophets. I hope they are fruitful and a blessing to you!
-A prophet to Judah; based on
the language used in the Psalm of ch. 3 he might
have been a Temple singer.
-Habakkuk comes from a Hebrew
root that means ‘embrace.’ “In his prophecy, Habakkuk was true to his name in
that he embraced a strong faith in Yahweh” (Youssouf Dembele, Africa Bible Commentary, pg.
1063).
“Habakkuk can now see that the power in
Israel’s past history is available to the righteous who shall live by faith. This book reveals a genuine sharing of a
doubt that assails all believers, a feeling that God stands aside from the
moral struggle of the believer. This doubt is removed not by the addition of
new facts, but simply by the addition of a new perspective; not new revelation,
but new insight into old revelation”
(W.J. Dumbrell, The Faith of Israel,
p. 220).
1. Then and now the
question is asked, will the wicked always prevail?
a.
Habakkuk 1:1-4 and Revelation 6:9-11
i. Are we calling
for help and crying out? (1:2) Or are we passively standing by?
ii. Are we trusting
in the “Sovereign Lord, holy and true” as we wait? (Rev. 6:10)
2. Then and now God
answers, the wicked will be judged.
a.
Habakkuk 2:6-20, Psalm 75:8 and Mark 14:32-36
i. What is the
repeated written clue as to who will be judged?
ii. How is Jesus’
life and death a fulfillment of God’s judgment?
iii. Rest in Psalm 11 – “the Lord is on his heavenly throne.”
3. Then and now, we
can worship in faith and prayer.
a.
Habakkuk 3:1-2, 16-19 and Philippians 4:4-7
i. What
characteristics do we see in his prayer to God?
ii. With Habakkuk’s
example, how can we appropriate Philippians 4:4-7 today in our own lives?
4. Then and now God,
in His glorious gospel, reveals that “the righteous will live by faith.”
a.
Habakkuk 2:1-4 and Romans 1:1-7, 14-17
i. In the Habakkuk
passage, with what is living by faith contrasted?
ii. How does Paul
apply Habakkuk 2:4 here in Romans?
How will you meet with the Lord with
your questions?
How will you “live by faith” and in
faithfulness?
I waited patiently for the Lord, He inclined and
heard my cry.
He lifted me up out of the pit, out of the miry
clay.
I will sing, sing a new song, I will sing, sing a
new song.
How long to sing this song? How long to sing this
song?
How long? How long? How long? How long to sing
this song?
He set my feet upon a rock
Made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and hear.
~Lyrics
from U2’s song “40,” adapted from Psalm 40
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