290 likes | 921 Views
HABAKKUK. Habakkuk’s Challenge. Habakkuk’s Unique Message. The moral behind the message Why does God permit wickedness? Why does God use the Chaldeans against Judah? The true basis of salvation Habakkuk’s own character development Sustained argument between a man and his God.
E N D
HABAKKUK Habakkuk’s Challenge
Habakkuk’s Unique Message • The moral behind the message • Why does God permit wickedness? • Why does God use the Chaldeans against Judah? • The true basis of salvation • Habakkuk’s own character development • Sustained argument between a man and his God
Dating the Prophecy During the reign of Hezekiah • The Babylonian invasion not previously prophesied (1:5-6) • Judah was violent and contentious, not idolatrous (1:2-4) • Chaldeans not yet a world power (1:6 – Young’s)
Dating the Prophecy During the reign of Hezekiah • The Babylonian invasion not previously prophesied (1:5-6) • Judah was violent and contentious, not idolatrous (1:2-4) • Chaldeans not yet a world power (1:6 – Young’s) However see 1:5 – was the invasion during Habakkuk’s lifetime ?
Who Was Habakkuk? We don’t know • Name means ‘embracer’ or ‘wrestler’ • No details of father, city of origin, timing of prophecy (contrast Jer 1:1-3) • A prophet (1:1) • To Judah (1:6) • Possibly a priest (3:19) A stubborn, passionate advocate for his people Prepared to question, probe – even God Vexed by perceived moral paradoxes
Why is Habukkuk Important? The just shall live by his faith (2:4) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (2:14) But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him (2:20)
What’s it all About? • 1:2-4 - The Question • What is God doing about wicked Judah? • 1:5-11 – The Solution • Using the Chaldeans to judge them • 1:12-2:1 – The Challenge • How can God justify using the Chaldeans against his people?
What’s it all About? • 2:2-20 – The Response • The just shall live by faith • God is right in all he does • Babylon will also be judged • 3:1-19 – The Prayer • Habakkuk prays for God’s ultimate will to be done • He recognises God’s righteousness & justice
Judah’s Sins • v2,3 violence – violence, unjust gain • v3 iniquity – trouble, vanity, wickedness • v3 grievance – wearying effort, worry • v3 spoiling – violence, rage • v3 strife – contest, controversy, chiding • v3 contention – contest, quarrel, brawling
Habakkuk’s Accusations • God doesn’t listen (1:2) • God takes too long to respond (1:2) • Habakkuk’s prophecy is pointless (1:3) • God is unjust, or does not enforce justice (1:4)
Prophecies of Captivity Deut 28:25 - The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. Deut 28:36 - The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. I Kin 8:46 - If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near
Hab 1:8 fly as the eagle Hab 1:8 more fierce than evening wolves Hab 1:8 horsemen … from far Hab 1:10 scoff at the kings Deut 28:49 swift as the eagle flieth Deut 28:50 nation of fierce countenance Deut 28:49 nation … from far Deut 28:50 not regard the old Habakkuk & Deuteronomy
Yahweh’s Answer Habakkuk 1:5-11 • Yes – I do hear your cries • Yes – I am doing something about wickedness in Judah: I am raising up the Chaldeans to judge them • Yes – there is a point to your prophecy: warn Judah of coming judgement
Habukkuk’s Challenge God is wrong to use Babylon against Judah because : • v12 - Judah’s existence is testament to God’s existence • v12 - God has an everlasting covenant with his people • v12 - God is Judah’s protection & defence • v13 - How can a pure God utilise sinners?
Habukkuk’s Challenge God is wrong to use Babylon against Judah because : • v13 - How does God justify using a wicked nation against a more righteous? • v14 - His use of Babylon shows a cavalier attitude • v14 - God is Judah’s ruler and therefore protector
Habukkuk’s Challenge God is wrong to use Babylon against Judah because : • v15 - Using the Babylonians will result in indiscriminate judgement on good & evil • v16 - Babylonian gods will appear more powerful than Yahweh • v17 - Once the Babylonians are dominant there will be no stopping them