HABAKKUK Habakkuk’s Challenge

Habakkuk’s Unique Message The moral behind the message The moral behind the message Why does God permit wickedness? Why does God permit wickedness? Why does God use the Chaldeans against Judah? Why does God use the Chaldeans against Judah? The true basis of salvation The true basis of salvation Habakkuk’s own character development Habakkuk’s own character development Sustained argument between a man and his God Sustained argument between a man and his God

Dating the Prophecy During the reign of Hezekiah The Babylonian invasion not previously prophesied (1:5-6) The Babylonian invasion not previously prophesied (1:5-6) Judah was violent and contentious, not idolatrous (1:2-4) Judah was violent and contentious, not idolatrous (1:2-4) Chaldeans not yet a world power (1:6 – Young’s) Chaldeans not yet a world power (1:6 – Young’s)

Significant Kings of Babylon BC Merodach-Baladan (Chald) BC Sennacharib (Assyrian) BC Nabopolassar (Chald) 606 BC Battle of Charchemish BC Nebuchadnezzar 598 BC Jerusalem Falls

Dating the Prophecy During the reign of Hezekiah The Babylonian invasion not previously prophesied (1:5-6) The Babylonian invasion not previously prophesied (1:5-6) Judah was violent and contentious, not idolatrous (1:2-4) Judah was violent and contentious, not idolatrous (1:2-4) Chaldeans not yet a world power (1:6 – Young’s) Chaldeans not yet a world power (1:6 – Young’s) However see 1:5 – was the invasion during Habakkuk’s lifetime ?

Who Was Habakkuk? We don’t know Name means ‘embracer’ or ‘wrestler’ Name means ‘embracer’ or ‘wrestler’ No details of father, city of origin, timing of prophecy (contrast Jer 1:1-3) No details of father, city of origin, timing of prophecy (contrast Jer 1:1-3) A prophet (1:1) A prophet (1:1) To Judah (1:6) To Judah (1:6) Possibly a priest (3:19) Possibly a priest (3:19) A stubborn, passionate advocate for his people Prepared to question, probe – even God Vexed by perceived moral paradoxes

Why is Habukkuk Important? The just shall live by his faith (2:4) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (2:14) But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him (2:20)

What’s it all About? 1:2-4 - The Question 1:2-4 - The Question What is God doing about wicked Judah? What is God doing about wicked Judah? 1:5-11 – The Solution 1:5-11 – The Solution Using the Chaldeans to judge them Using the Chaldeans to judge them 1:12-2:1 – The Challenge 1:12-2:1 – The Challenge How can God justify using the Chaldeans against his people? How can God justify using the Chaldeans against his people?

What’s it all About? 2:2-20 – The Response 2:2-20 – The Response The just shall live by faith The just shall live by faith God is right in all he does God is right in all he does Babylon will also be judged Babylon will also be judged 3:1-19 – The Prayer 3:1-19 – The Prayer Habakkuk prays for God’s ultimate will to be done Habakkuk prays for God’s ultimate will to be done He recognises God’s righteousness & justice He recognises God’s righteousness & justice

Judah’s Sins v2,3 violence – violence, unjust gain v2,3 violence – violence, unjust gain v3 iniquity – trouble, vanity, wickedness v3 iniquity – trouble, vanity, wickedness v3 grievance – wearying effort, worry v3 grievance – wearying effort, worry v3 spoiling – violence, rage v3 spoiling – violence, rage v3 strife – contest, controversy, chiding v3 strife – contest, controversy, chiding v3 contention – contest, quarrel, brawling v3 contention – contest, quarrel, brawling

Habakkuk’s Accusations God doesn’t listen (1:2) God doesn’t listen (1:2) God takes too long to respond (1:2) God takes too long to respond (1:2) Habakkuk’s prophecy is pointless (1:3) Habakkuk’s prophecy is pointless (1:3) God is unjust, or does not enforce justice (1:4) God is unjust, or does not enforce justice (1:4)

Prophecies of Captivity Deut 28:25 - The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. Deut 28:36 - The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. I Kin 8:46 - If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near

Habakkuk & Deuteronomy Hab 1:8 fly as the eagle Hab 1:8 fly as the eagle Hab 1:8 more fierce than evening wolves Hab 1:8 more fierce than evening wolves Hab 1:8 horsemen … from far Hab 1:8 horsemen … from far Hab 1:10 scoff at the kings Hab 1:10 scoff at the kings Deut 28:49 swift as the eagle flieth Deut 28:49 swift as the eagle flieth Deut 28:50 nation of fierce countenance Deut 28:50 nation of fierce countenance Deut 28:49 nation … from far Deut 28:49 nation … from far Deut 28:50 not regard the old Deut 28:50 not regard the old

Yahweh’s Answer Habakkuk 1:5-11 Yes – I do hear your cries Yes – I do hear your cries Yes – I am doing something about wickedness in Judah: I am raising up the Chaldeans to judge them Yes – I am doing something about wickedness in Judah: I am raising up the Chaldeans to judge them Yes – there is a point to your prophecy: warn Judah of coming judgement Yes – there is a point to your prophecy: warn Judah of coming judgement

Habukkuk’s Challenge God is wrong to use Babylon against Judah because : v12 - Judah’s existence is testament to God’s existence v12 - Judah’s existence is testament to God’s existence v12 - God has an everlasting covenant with his people v12 - God has an everlasting covenant with his people v12 - God is Judah’s protection & defence v12 - God is Judah’s protection & defence v13 - How can a pure God utilise sinners? v13 - How can a pure God utilise sinners?

Habukkuk’s Challenge God is wrong to use Babylon against Judah because : v13 - How does God justify using a wicked nation against a more righteous? v13 - How does God justify using a wicked nation against a more righteous? v14 - His use of Babylon shows a cavalier attitude v14 - His use of Babylon shows a cavalier attitude v14 - God is Judah’s ruler and therefore protector v14 - God is Judah’s ruler and therefore protector

Habukkuk’s Challenge God is wrong to use Babylon against Judah because : v15 - Using the Babylonians will result in indiscriminate judgement on good & evil v15 - Using the Babylonians will result in indiscriminate judgement on good & evil v16 - Babylonian gods will appear more powerful than Yahweh v16 - Babylonian gods will appear more powerful than Yahweh v17 - Once the Babylonians are dominant there will be no stopping them v17 - Once the Babylonians are dominant there will be no stopping them