Babylonian Period Prophets 7 th Century Prophets NahumNahum HabakkukHabakkuk ZephaniahZephaniah

HABAKKUK Prophet of Persevering Faith

IntroductionName Means ‘embrace’, some believe he was the son of the Shunnamite woman to whom Elisha gave the promise “You will hold ‘embrace’ a son.” (2 Kings 4:16)Means ‘embrace’, some believe he was the son of the Shunnamite woman to whom Elisha gave the promise “You will hold ‘embrace’ a son.” (2 Kings 4:16) –Much too early for that to hold Fact that he uses musical terms in ch. 3 and adds a note that the psalm is to be sung to stringed instruments may point to his having been a Levite (1 Chron. 25)Fact that he uses musical terms in ch. 3 and adds a note that the psalm is to be sung to stringed instruments may point to his having been a Levite (1 Chron. 25) Related to Assyrian name for plant hambaququ “fragrant” could mean he was raised in Nineveh before coming to JudahRelated to Assyrian name for plant hambaququ “fragrant” could mean he was raised in Nineveh before coming to Judah Some have seen him as Isaiah’s successor 2:1 to Isaiah 21:6 but probably reflects common usage of watchtower languageSome have seen him as Isaiah’s successor 2:1 to Isaiah 21:6 but probably reflects common usage of watchtower language

Date: Three Options Manasseh ( B.C.)Manasseh ( B.C.) –Habakkuk reflects the debased atmosphere of M’s day when God promised He would bring disaster on Jerusalem and Judah (2 Kings 21:12) –Canonical position between Nahum and Zephaniah supports this view –Zephaniah and Jeremiah may have known and used H’s prophecy (cf. 1:8 with Jer. 4:13, 5:6; and 2:20 with Zeph. 1:7) –Manasseh was carried captive by Assyria to Babylon but repented and was restored by the Lord to Jerusalem (2 Chr. 33:10-15)

Date: Three Options Josiah’s time before finding book of Law (before 621 B.C.)Josiah’s time before finding book of Law (before 621 B.C.) –Manasseh’s paganism still rampant with continued idolatry and sacrifice at high places Time of Jehoiakim ( B. C.)Time of Jehoiakim ( B. C.) –Josiah’s reforms abandoned and Judah is back to idolatrous worship

Occasion for Prophecy Theodicy God’s seeming indifference to rampant evil among His people, the people of Judah.God’s seeming indifference to rampant evil among His people, the people of Judah. IF God is holy and just and righteous, the moral decay and outright spiritual apostasy in Judah seemed to demand judgmentIF God is holy and just and righteous, the moral decay and outright spiritual apostasy in Judah seemed to demand judgment But, no judgment occurred and Habakkuk was perplexedBut, no judgment occurred and Habakkuk was perplexed

Outline 1.The Perplexed Prophet’s First Question and God’s Answer (1:2-11) H’s first questionH’s first question –1:2-4 the prophet cries to God about the lawlessness around him in Judah and asks how long before it is punished God’s first answerGod’s first answer –1:5-11 God announces He is busy raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to judge wicked Judah 2.The Troubled Prophet’s Second Question and God’s Answer (1:12-2:20) H’s second questionH’s second question –1:12-17 If God is holy, how can he allow the brutal idolatrous Chaldeans to punish his people when they are worse than the people of Judah. (1:13)

Outline The Lord’s Mysterious Answer (2:2- 20)The Lord’s Mysterious Answer (2:2- 20) –2:1-5 The prophet waits in an imaginary watchtower for God to answer Pride of the Chaldeans will destroy themPride of the Chaldeans will destroy them Faithfulness of the righteous will save him (v. 4)Faithfulness of the righteous will save him (v. 4) –2:6-20 Series of five woes expressed in a taunt song against Babylon proving that God will judge them too! Evil will rebound on their own heads (v. 7)Evil will rebound on their own heads (v. 7) Kingdom of God will be established (v. 14)Kingdom of God will be established (v. 14)

Outline 3.The Prophet’s Prayer of Persevering Faith (3:1-19) –Psalm in which Habakkuk prays for God’s redemptive intervention in the midst of His people’s chastisement (v. 2) –Interpretation of what Hab. 2:4 faithfulness means in vv

Vanity of Babylon’s Empirebuilding Babylon labors in vain (2:13) “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (2:14)(cf. Num. 14:21)

Futility of Idol Worship Idol has no “breath” ruach (life). It is only wood or stone. (2:19) “But the Lord is in his holy temple: Let all the earth keep silence before him!” (v. 20) Has “hush” an interjection Onomatopeia-sounds like what it means

Faith in Habakkuk “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him, but the just (righteous) tsadiq shall live (yichyeh) by his faith (be’emunato)” 2:4 ’emunah—firmness, security, fidelity, honesty, conscientousness, faith

Faith in Habakkuk Habakkuk interprets his own statement (2:4) in 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold; and there be no herd in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Faith in Habakkuk Marvelous statement of faith undaunted by catastrophe in the life of the believer EVEN IF God pours out the full extent of the covenant curses on his unfaithful people, Habakkuk will still rejoice in God and make the Lord his strength!!!

Faith in Habakkuk Habakkuk will maintain his faithfulness because he knows the Lord will fulfill his promises. If he pours out the covenant curses, he will also restore his people afterwards. Thus Habakkuk lives by believing in God and trusting in the promises to the people of Israel in his word.

Faith: A Definition “Faith is seeing myself, others and the world around me through the lens of God’s Word and acting accordingly.” (Dr. Pettus)