Old Testament Survey
Habakkuk
- Jehoahaz reigns in Judah 609 B.C.
- Jehoiakim reigns in Judah 609 B.C.
- Habakkuk the prophet 609/6 B.C.
- Jeremiah the prophet 609 B.C.
- 1st group of captives to Babylon 605 B.C.
- Daniel to captivity 605 B.C.
Key Verses
2:4
3:17-19
Key Chapters
Chapter 3
Key Concepts
Why?
Faith
Thoughts for Reading
Is it proper to question
God?
Is it alright for God to use a sinner in accomplishing His plan?
Habakkuk
3:17-19
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither
shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from
the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet
I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds& feet, and
he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer
on my stringed instruments.
Title -- Author
Habakkuk was a prophet (1:1), who may have been part of the liturgical singing performed at the Temple. Based upon the Apocrypha, he was from the tribe of Levi. There is a Rabbinic tradition that identifies Habakkuk as the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:16).
The prophet’s name means “embrace,” as in one who embraces and clings to God.
This book dates to the period just before the fall of Judah to the Babylonians (626 to 605 B.C.). This makes Habakkuk a contemporary of Jeremiah.
PURPOSE
Habakkuk foresees the Babylonian conquest of Judah. God will bring judgment on Judah’s sins using the foreign invaders as His instrument. Yet, there is a strong message of restoration and hope. God is the protector of His people and although he will use the Babylonians, God promises to deliver the people from their captivity. God will judge the unjust Babylonians.
The message is built around the prophet’s perplexity over the coming invasion of Babylon. But, the prophet’s concern was not because of the potential punishment of Judah. Indeed, Habakkuk seems to think the punishment of Judah is long over due (1:2-4). The prophet cannot, however, understand how God could use the sinful Babylonians to accomplish this chastisement (1:12-2:1).
A simple outline of the book is:
- The perplexities of faith tested - Chps 1 & 2
- Faith is triumphant, resulting in praise - Chp 3
Jesus in Habakkuk
Christ may be found as the Savior of the nation. The word salvation appears three times in 3:13, 18. This is the Hebrew root word of the name “Jesus.” Christ is the Holy One of God (1:12 compared with John 1 John 1:9). He justifies the righteous by faith (2:4) and will fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord (2:14).
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk is not a preaching message but a conversation between the prophet and God. Habakkuk takes his perplexities to the Lord. God answers his questions leading the prophet to offer a prayer of praise. What a wonderful pattern for all of us to follow!
How do you talk to God?
