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2. Selected Minor Prophets
My Servants
The Prophets
Major Lessons From
Selected Minor Prophets

3. It’s Timely Message: The theme “The just shall live by faith” 2:4
An oft-repeated N.T. exhortation Rom 1: Gal 3: Heb 10:38
This is the essence of faith/trust in God… believing Him even when things do not seem to make sense to His children

4. Outline: God’s judgment upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3
God’s judgment upon Babylon 2:4-20
Habakkuk’s prayer to God for compassion in the midst of certain judgment 3:1-19

5. God’s Judgment Upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3
Habakkuk’s 1st perplexity 1:2-4
“How long…?” is an oft-repeated question asked by followers of God Job 7: Rev 6:10
God’s supposed “indifference” is questioned
God’s 1st reply 1:5-11
Jehovah was not indifferent
His solution is “unexpected” cruel Babylon
They will be God’s tool to judge wicked Judah

6. God’s Judgment Upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3
Habakkuk’s 2nd perplexity 1:12 – 2:1
How can a holy God make such a choice?!?!
He does admit he knows 3 truths 1:12
But, how can this harmonize with what else he knows? 1:13-17
Despite having such questions/doubts, he states he is willing to wait for God’s answer, and even for a reproof (correction) if warranted 2:1

7. God’s Judgment Upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3
God’s 2nd reply 2:2-3
What He is about to tell the prophet was not for him only
Habakkuk was to “record the vision” so that the one who read it may run (spread it around for others to also know)
Though it wasn’t happening immediately, it was certain Isa 55: Pet 3:8

8. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
A series of 5 woes pronounced as judgments re: Babylon’s guilt cp. Mt 23:13-36
Each woe has 3 verses…only the 5th one begins differently than the previous 4
Sung (Chanted) against Babylon by those whom Nebuchadnezzar had conquered vv. 5b-6a

9. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #1 – Lust for conquest, plunder vv. 6b-8
He had not been content to “stay home” and build his kingdom honorably v. 5a
“Rich with loans” = pledges taken from captives
As with any debt, there is a payback date
“Babylon The Looter” would eventually become “Babylon The Looted” (Cyrus of Persia – 539 B.C.)

10. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #2 – Ungodly & cruel empire building vv. 9-11
Vain is he who thinks he can treat others in cruelty and make himself untouchable (“nest on high”)
Nebuchadnezzar’s treatment of Zedekiah 2 Kings 25:6-7
God is aware of such practices, uses “evidence” to properly convict such sin v Gen 4:10

11. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #3 – Building cities through blood vv
This seems to reference the oppressive treatment Babylon forced on her captives…subjecting them to slave labor in building her cities, etc.
Reminiscent of Egypt Ex 1: Gen 15:13
Such toil is “for the fire” (fiery Divine judgment)
It is also “vain” (will eventually come to nothing)

12. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #4 – Degrading use/shame of others vv
Not only stripping conquered peoples of their possessions, but also of their honor & dignity
The intent was to “expose their nakedness” (again either literal or figurative)
Nebuchadnezzar spiked the drink in his hand with his own “venom” to poison his victims after getting them drunk on “wine” of power, conquest

13. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #4 – Degrading use/shame of others vv
Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t the only king with a drink in his hand to give to others
He would drink of the cup in the Lord’s right hand (a Divine cup of wrath)
Nebuchadnezzar’s nakedness will be exposed, and he will be judged for violence done to land, beasts, and humans

14. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #5 – Idolatry vv
Babylon was a “land of idols” Jer 50:38
The foolishness of carving a figment of human imagination, setting it up, and then requesting it to “Awake!” or “Arise!”
It cannot teach or lead because it has no life in it
Its only value is the precious metal man puts on it

15. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20
“The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20
Woe #5 – Idolatry vv
By contrast, the one true God has enthroned Himself
He speaks…let all the earth keep silence and silently submit to His word

16. Habakkuk’s Prayer To God 3:1-19
A prayer for God’s mercy & compassion in the face of certain coming judgment & destruction
A prayer “…according to Shigionoth” v. 1
Lit. “to reel or stagger like a drunken man”
It describes a poem, song, or prayer composed under heavy emotional strain, one with rapid change of emotion or feeling [Hailey, Deane]

17. Habakkuk’s Prayer To God 3:1-19
The prophet has now heard God v. 2a
While admitting his fear, he knows what God has promised to come must take place v. 2b
He requests, “In wrath remember mercy” v. 2c
It appears that Habakkuk reviews some of God’s past actions on behalf of Israel for their salvation, deliverance vv. 3-15

18. Habakkuk’s Prayer To God 3:1-19
God’s actions on behalf of Israel vv. 3-15
Habakkuk praises God’s power & majesty vv. 3-4
He reviews how God has used pestilence and plague vv [Egypt, Canaan]
He mentions how God used the power of bodies of water vv [Nile, Red Sea, Jordan River]
He lists how God controlled the sun and moon v [Joshua at Gibeon & Aijalon]

19. Habakkuk’s Prayer To God 3:1-19
God’s actions on behalf of Israel vv. 3-15
He plainly states the reason for all these Divine actions: “…for the salvation of Thy people” v. 13
He describes God as a mighty Warrior who has displayed great strength in defending His own people vv

20. Habakkuk’s Prayer To God 3:1-19
The prophet can only prepare himself for the dread he knows is coming v. 16
In a fitting end to his prayer, he admits while there will be great calamity due to the destruction brought by the Chaldeans, he will still “live by his faith/trust” in God vv
His prior focus? 1: Outward circumstances
His present focus? 3: Faith in God

21. LESSONS Human wisdom is ALWAYS inferior to God’s wisdom.
God is NEVER indifferent to sin.
The ONLY way to endure is for the righteous to live by faith/trust.
God ALWAYS has been/will be in complete control of the nations. Dan 4:17 Rom 13:1

22. LESSONS
God will ALWAYS be in His holy temple; we should be silent before Him and hear.

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