1. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—

2. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. (NKJV) To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

3. Knowing God’s Word Habakkuk

4. Knowing God’s Word Last week we studied Nahum, a prophet who prophesied concerning the destruction of Nineveh This week we move on to the book of Habakkuk The book of Habakkuk is the 35 th book of our OT; the 8 th of the minor prophets

5. Knowing God’s Word Habakkuk is the author of this book (1:1) The Hebrew name Habaqquq is from the verb habaq meaning “embrace” The name Habakkuk therefore means “One Who Embraces” or “Clings” We do not know much else about this prophet personally

6. Knowing God’s Word Most would date this prophecy to around 612-606 BC 612 BC is when Babylon defeated Nineveh to rise to the new world power 605 BC is when Babylon first invaded Judah, so this prophecy is likely between those 2 dates

7. Knowing God’s Word Habakkuk would have been contemporaries of Jeremiah, Zephaniah and possibly Nahum Habakkuk likely lived in Judah at the end of Josiah’s reign This would have made him a pre-exilic prophet

8. Knowing God’s Word Habakkuk is not written as a prophecy spoken directly to Judah It is rather written as a dialogue between Habakkuk and God that contains prophecy concerning Judah Habakkuk does refer to himself as a prophet (1:1; 3:1)

9. Knowing God’s Word This is perhaps Habakkuk speaking on behalf of the people It reads in basically 2 parts: – The first part contains 2 questions asked by Habakkuk and the subsequent response given by God (1-2) – The second part of the book is a prayer- psalm offered by Habakkuk to God (3)

10. Knowing God’s Word Key Verses in Habakkuk: – 1:2-4 – 1:13 – 2:4 – 2:15 – 3:17-19

11. Knowing God’s Word Outline of Habakkuk: – Habakkuk’s Questions (1-2) Habakkuk’s First Question (1:1-4) God’s First Response (1:5-11) Habakkuk’s Second Question (1:12-2:1) God’s Second Response (2:2-20)

12. Knowing God’s Word Outline of Habakkuk: – Habakkuk’s Praise (3) The Prophet Prays (3:1-2) The Prophet Praises (3:3-15) The Prophet Persists (3:16-19)