Lecture Notes: Understanding the Book of Habakkuk

Introduction

• Speaker shares personal story about their son reciting the Old Testament books.
• Discusses difficulty in locating the book of Habakkuk in the Bible.
• Habakkuk's placement in the Bible: Before Zephaniah and after Nahum.

Overview of the Prophets in the Bible

• Old Testament categories:
  • Historical books (17 books from Genesis to Esther)
  • Poetical books (5 books from Job to Songs of Solomon)
  • Prophetical books (17 books, divided into major and minor prophets)
• Habakkuk is a minor prophet with a major message.

The Book of Habakkuk

• Authored by Habakkuk, a professional prophet.
• Possibly linked to temple worship; might have been a priest.
• Prophets are spokespeople illuminated, inspired by God for announcing future events.

False Prophets

• Warning against false prophets and private interpretations of prophecy.
• True prophecy is inspired by the Holy Spirit and based on Scripture.

Historical Context

• Possibly written during Jehoiakim's reign.
• Jehoiakim was a godless king, leading to the nation's destruction.
• Context of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Judah.

Message of Habakkuk

• Commissioned to announce Lord's punishment of Judah by Babylon.
• Judah's refusal to repent despite repeated calls.
• Comparison to America's need for repentance.

Personal Faith and Questions

• Habakkuk trusted God but was perplexed by events.
• Encouragement to bring questions to God, as Habakkuk did.
• God's response to sin and wickedness.

Habakkuk's Dialog with God

• Habakkuk questions God’s apparent inaction against sin.
• God’s response: He is always at work.
• God plans to use the Chaldeans (Babylonians) as instruments of judgment.
• Habakkuk's confusion about using a sinful nation for divine purposes.

Faith and Just Living

• The just shall live by faith, a key theme throughout the Bible.
• Importance of living by faith in God's promises.
• Faith transforms believers to live according to God's will.

Lessons and Applications

• The faithful are to live by faith, not sight.
• Emphasis on meekness, patience, and dying to oneself.
• Living as a Christian involves demonstrating Christ-like behavior.

Habakkuk’s Prayer and Praise

• Call for personal revival and restoration.
• Magnifying God despite circumstances.
• Trusting God's sovereignty in mysterious circumstances.

Final Encouragement

• Encouragement to remain steadfast despite trials.
• Metaphor of goats on high cliffs representing believers' stability.
• God is our strength and sustainer.

Conclusion

• Go from questioning to praising God like Habakkuk.
• Trust in God, who is with us in all circumstances.
• Closing prayer asking for God’s guidance and strength.