September 4, 2016

Habakkuk – Kha-va’-kook (He that embraces; a wrestler)

Timeline of Old Testament Prophets Josiah 640-609 B.C. Jehoiakim 609-598 B.C.

Habakkuk (He that embraces; a wrestler) Author Habakkuk, prophet with priestly background (a Levite)

19…For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by [my] stringed instruments. …only a Levite was authorized to use an instrument to accompany his songs in the Temple.

Habakkuk (He that embraces; a wrestler) Author Habakkuk, prophet with priestly background (a Levite) Date Around 650-606 BC Theme A defense of God’s goodness and power in view of the problem of evil Christ in this book Christ is portrayed as the One who justifies the righteous by faith; and the One who will one day fill the earth “with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”

Habakkuk’s dilemma The problem of wickedness The significance of God’s judgment God’s sovereignty

The burden of Habakkuk was published during a time of increasing moral and spiritual deterioration in Judah The evil reign of Jehoiakim was a sad contrast to the days before him, under his father, King Josiah (Jer 22-26).

Habakkuk was confused and bewildered Habakkuk was confused and bewildered. He had lived during the days of the great Reformation under King Josiah. He had seen the evil empire of Assyria collapse. But now he was seeing the rise of another wicked power, Babylon. The world seemed to be in upheaval.

Violence was abounding. Lawlessness was prevalent. God’s people were being oppressed. Blatant idolatry was replacing the worship of the one true God. “The law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgement proceeds” (1:4). Anonymous

Habakkuk’s dilemma The problem of wickedness

2 How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But You do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry,     but You do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see these evil deeds?     Why must I watch all this misery?

Habakkuk believed in interrogatory prayer. Intercessory prayer is when we ask God for things. Interrogatory prayer is when we ask God questions. Dr. Peter Hammond

“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! 5 The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations;     look and be amazed!

Knowing and Doing the Will of God” “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God” has a simple -– but challenging -– message: Find out where God is at work and join Him there. Henry Blackaby

6 I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people 6 I am raising up the Babylonians,     a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world     and conquer other lands…

Habakkuk does not like the answer that He receives from his Lord! Habakkuk believed in interrogatory prayer. but Habakkuk does not like the answer that He receives from his Lord!

who are eternal—surely You do not plan 12 O Lord my God, my Holy One, You who are eternal—surely You do not plan to wipe us out? O Lord, our Rock, You have sent these Babylonians to correct us,     to punish us for our many sins.

cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? 13 But You are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil.     Will you wink at their treachery?

made us rich!” they will claim. in their heartless conquests? 16 Then they will worship their nets and burn incense in front of them. “These nets are the gods who have made us rich!” they will claim. 17 Will You let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests?

Habakkuk’s dilemma The problem of wickedness The significance of God’s judgment

2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

“The just shall live by faith.” 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:6-7

14 as the waters fill the sea,     the earth will be filled with an awareness     of the glory of the Lord.

19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say,     ‘Rise up and teach us!’

Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.

Habakkuk’s dilemma The problem of wickedness The significance of God’s judgment God’s sovereignty

20 But the Lord is in His holy Temple 20 But the Lord is in His holy Temple.     Let all the earth be silent before Him.”

2 O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; midst of the years! This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk 2 O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. NKJV

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,     and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails,     and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields,     and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!     He makes me as surefooted as a deer,     able to tread upon the heights.

14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands 14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. Job 13:14-15

What Next? Ask tough questions Listen to and live God’s word

Find out where God is at work and join Him there. Henry Blackaby

What Next? Pray for revival

…O Lord, revive Your work in our time

What Next? Pray for revival Rejoice with confidence in the Lord – no matter what

18 …I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

Do this in remembrance of Me

Whirlpool galaxy M51 Some 23 million light years from earth At the core lies a black hole surrounded by “dust lanes”

The Glory of the Risen Lord All Heaven Declares The Glory of the Risen Lord

The glory of the risen Lord, Who can compare All heaven declares The glory of the risen Lord, Who can compare With the beauty of the Lord Forever He will be the Lamb upon the throne I gladly bow the knee and worship Him alone

the glory of the risen Lord the Lamb upon the throne I will proclaim the glory of the risen Lord Who once was slain to reconcile man to God Forever You will be the Lamb upon the throne I gladly bow my knee and worship You alone.