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A Survey of the Prophets - Habakkuk


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Historical Background of the Book.  See the historical background of the book of Zephaniah.

The Author and the Audience. Nothing is known about the author, Habakkuk who prophesied around 610 B.C. just prior to the first Babylonian invasion of Judah. Unlike the rest of the Minor Prophets who addressed Judah, Israel, and/or the Gentile nations around them, Habakkuk's audience was God!

Outline/Major Themes. Habakkuk pleads with God on behalf of Judah (Ch. 1:2; 2:1):
  • Ch. 1:1-1:11 Habbakkuk asks "Why does Judah's sin continue to be tolerated?" The answer is it won't be for long. Babylon is coming.
  • Ch. 1:12-2:20 Habbakkuk asks "Why use pagan Babylon to punish your chosen people?" The answer is Babylon will also be punished for their insatiable ambition, greed, cruelty, drunkenness, and idolatry. See Daniel 5:1-4, 25-31 for the fulfillment about 70 years later around 539 B.C.
  • Ch. 3:1-3:19 Habbakkuk offers a prayer of confident faith to God.

Messages for Christians. Some lessons Habbakkuk reminds us of include:
  • God can use wicked people for his purposes, including punishing His people who sin. In Bible times, this included Pharaoh, the Canaanites during the time of the Judges, and Judas Iscariot. In modern times when Christians sin, sometimes they experience natural negative consequences at the hands of wicked people (e.g., bar fights, sexually transmitted diseases, "no honor among thieves") (Matt. 26:52). Remember the wisdom of Prov. 13:15 "The way of the transgressor is hard."
  • Keep your faith and confidence in God no matter what may happen (Rev. 2:10). Though a day of distress come upon you, exult and rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4; 1 Thes. 5:16) .
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