1. Habakkuk

2. Background Habakkuk is thought to mean “ardent embrace”
He has been called the prophet of providence
Some think the wrongs described by Habakkuk are like those suffered under Jehoiachim ( BC; Jeremiah 22:13-19), which would make him a contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah

3. A Righteous Man Questions the Providence of God
How long will God allow wickedness to go unpunished? – 1:2-4
God answers that his providence is already at work among the heathen nations – 1:5-11
God would use a wicked nation (Babylon) to punish his disobedient children
God would use them and then watch them blow out like a spent storm because they worshiped their own power

4. Another Question
How can God punish a wicked people by using a more wicked people as conqueror? – 1:12-17
He set a watch to await God’s answer
Habakkuk is instructed to write the message big enough that it could be read at a glance
Men lifted up with pride will not walk in God’s will
The just will act in accord with God’s direction
Chaldea was drunk on its own pride and its lust for conquest would no more be filled than the place of the dead
Those they conquered would rise up and conquer them

5. Woes Pronounced Against Conquerors
Habakkuk 2:6-23
The plunderers will be plundered
Those who selfishly pushed others to gain their own advantage will find their blood calling to God for vengeance
Those who build their cities by murder and enslaved people will find that labor built up judgment fire against those cities

6. Those who worship idols will find them worthless
Those who degrade people and force them to partake in shameful actions will be made ashamed
Those who worship idols will find them worthless
The one true God is enshrined in glory and they should await his judgment

7. A Song of Unshakable Faith
Habakkuk 3
In God who so well orders his works
Habakkuk closes by saying he will rely on God no matter what happens because:
He could give him the strength to run
He could lift him above his troubles