BOOK OF HABAKKUK - OVERVIEW
About the BOOK OF HABAKKUK
--- Eighth of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament.
--- Book has three chapters
--- First two chapters include a dialogue between God and Habakkuk with the prophet asking questions
--- Last chapter is full of praise from the prophet
----Familiar Verse 4 in chapter 2, stating that "the just shall live by his faith"
--- Prophet Habakkuk is the author
--- During the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah
--- Known as the "Book of Questions" but God answered in a way Habakkuk did not expect
--- Book is unique because the prophet is not sent to prophesy to any group of people like the other prophets did. Instead, the book is a conversation between the prophet and God.
--- Habakkuk was an intercessor
About Habakkuk, the Prophet
--- Name means "embrace"
--- In the opening verse, Habakkuk identifies himself as a prophet.
--- Might have been a temple prophet
--- Might have been a Levite and cantor in Solomon's Temple
--- Habakkuk is a righteous man even though he complains throughout the book
The Three Chapters
Chapter 1: A discussion between God and Habakkuk
Chapter 2: An oracle of woe
Chapter 3: A psalm, "Habakkuk's song"
Key Words
--- Salvation - used three times
--- Faith
Key Verse
Chapter 2:4b "But the just shall live by his faith." This scripture is also included New Testament books:
--- Romans 1:17
--- Galatians 3:11
--- Hebrews 10:38
Themes
--- Habakkuk and God
--- Habakkuk openly questions the wisdom of God.
Theologies
--- from mystery to certainty
--- from questions to affirming
--- from complaint to confidence
Things to Look Out For
God explains that he will send the Chaldeans (also known as the Babylonians) to punish his people. Habakkuk expresses shock at God's choice of instrument for judgment
God does not respond to the prophet's questioning His wisdom. However, Habakkuk waits for a response. Instead, God
Habakkuk finally expresses his ultimate faith in God, even if he does not fully understand God's action.
Notice that Habakkuk begins his book by complaining (Habakkuk 1:2-4) and ends with a doxology by the prophet praising God in a song (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
Notice that Habakkuk understands the why of God’s punishment of His disobedient people, but he doesn’t understand why God would use such a wicked nation as a tool of His judgment.
Habakkuk means "one who embraces." At the end of the book, we see a man who clung to God and His character and promises, no matter what evil looked to befall his nation.
Summary of the Book of Habakkuk
Habakkuk begins by questioning God, but he concludes with a psalm of praise in Chapter 3: about God's power (3:4-12), the prophet's praise (3:13), and God's plan (3:13-19).
Life Applications
--- The just shall live by their faith (2:4).
--- We should rejoice in the God of our salvation (3:18).
As You Read the Book of Habakkuk
Notice Habakkuk's first question in 1:1-4 and God's answer in 1:5-11.
Notice Habakkuk's second question is longer in 1:12-2:1 and God's answer in 2:2-2f.
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