HOW THEY CAN HELP US IN OUR ECCLESIAL LIVES THE MINOR PROPHETS HOW THEY CAN HELP US IN OUR ECCLESIAL LIVES

HABAKKUK “I will joy in the God of my salvation” Name means – EMBRACE or to WRESTLE

BACKGROUND OBADIAH – Is concerned with EDOM NAHUM - is concerned with ASSYRIA HABAKKUK - is concerned with BABYLON

HABAKKUK – HIS BACKGROUND One of the last to prophesy before the Exile Is referred to as ‘The Job of the Old Testament’ Refers to himself as a Prophet Seems to have a link with the Temple A Psalmist Not much else is known

Used by God to identify the invader to carry away His people Judah Identifies Babylon, the Chaldeans ROTHERHAM – “He” instead of “They” (Habakkuk 1v7) Reference to a leader and not to a nation NEBUCHADNEZZAR

THEME – “The Just shall live by Faith” Habakkuk sees beyond unto the Kingdom Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar Future Glory, seen in New Testament Eden Restored (Revelation 21-22)

IMPORTANT BIBLE THEMES Habakkuk 2v4 “The just shall live by faith” Habakkuk 2v14 The earth shall be filled with God’s glory Habakkuk 3v3 The march of the saints from the place of judgement

THE PSALMIST In Chapter 3 note the use of ‘Selah’ This chapter is really a Psalm It is possible the whole book is a Psalm! No chapter divisions in the original text

THE STRUCTURE OF THE PSALMS See JW Thirtle Hab 3v1 and 3v19 are the correct setting (Link with Psalm 8 and Isaiah 38v 29-30) This solves the problem with the Psalms, as JW Thirtle saw it. Right place for inscriptions and subscriptions, each Psalm has a title and a conclusion. See the Companion Bible

Habakkuk – Is he the doubting Thomas of the Old Testament? The Prophet has a question to ask of the Lord For himself? Like Thomas in the Gospels, or For others whom he was addressing?

The questions that Habakkuk had are; How can God who is just use an ungodly nation against Israel? (Like Jonah had before) Why Does God allow this and not intervene? Will Babylon really prosper?

The Burden - Judgement Idea of a heavy load to be lifted up Soon Judah would not exist (Hab 1v8 Eagle (Swift in flight) Isa 29v14 Hab 1v5 and Deuteronomy 28v49) Chaldeans, a developing nation, would become fierce and proud

Breakdown Grappling with a problem (CH 1) Grasping at the solution (CH 2) Glorying in the assurance of hope (CH 3) A Journey of faith (Burden/Vision/Prayer)

The cry of a righteous man (1v 1-17) The march through the land Chapter 1 The cry of a righteous man (1v 1-17) The march through the land The contrast the invader with the saints of the Most High God An overturning (Ezekiel 21v 25-27) At ‘an appointed time’ (1v2-5)

Chapter 2 The Lord answers Habakkuk “The Just shall live by faith” The proud will be humbled (including Babylon) (Daniel 4) The Lord shall yet be exalted

Chapter 2 (Continued) “If He draw back” (2v4) Septuagint – Hebrews 10v38 Against dishonesty (2v6) Against covetousness (2v9) Against iniquity or men of blood (2v12) Against those that dispense liquor (2v15-16) Against idolatry (2v18-20) The Lord brings judgement (2v13) ‘He who will be armies’ Our lives in Jesus Christ, within the ecclesia

God’s Plan and His Purpose (2v14) (Numbers 14v21; Psalm 72v19; Chapter 2 Continued God’s Plan and His Purpose (2v14) (Numbers 14v21; Psalm 72v19; Isaiah 6v3, 11v9) Yahweh is in His Holy Temple (2v20) Note this occurs after the 5 woes

The 5 Woes The way of Cain The mind and ways of Babel Nimrod and his ruthlessness The shame of Ham and Canaan The vanity (emptiness) of Babylon A warning to us today

The Three Important Principles “ The just shall live by faith” “The earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” “Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people”

The Exhortation to us all That God is in control (His hand is at work among the nations) That God will bring forth salvation to His people That faith is essential for our salvation That the earth shall be inhabited That the glory of the Lord shall fill the whole earth

Tomorrow we shall in exhortation consider - ‘The salvation of Thy people’, as we see the hope that Habakkuk had, and that we all have, in the Lord who will deliver His people.