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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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”

20. 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

21. 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.