Habakkuk

Name means: “Embracing.”

Habakkuk contemporary with Jeremiah and Daniel. Note that
the conditions of 2 Kings, 24 and 25, are reflected in ch. 1. 2-4 – violence, iniquity, spoiling, strife and contention.

Theme: Faith – its Trial and Triumph.

Outline:

The Problems of Faith, ch.1.

(a) Problem created by Jehovah’s silence, ch. 1. 2

“O Lord, how long shall I cry and Thou wilt not hear?” Was God inactive despite the perversion of justice on every hand? Why did He remain silent? There was an apparent contradiction in the righteous government of God.

(b)Problem created by Jehovah’s activity, ch. 1. 5-11.
But God was active: –

v. 5. I will work a work in your days …

v. 6. Lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation …

He was using the avowed enemies of His people to carry out His purposes. Even the wrath of man shall praise Him.

The Patience of Faith, ch. 2. 1-4.

v. l. “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say to me.”

Habakkuk look his problems to God – watch and wait lot God’s answer
v. 2. “And the Lord answered me” –

Permanently – (write the vision … upon tables)

Plainly – (make it plain)

Practically – (that he may run that readeth)

Powerfully – (it will juirely niiflf, il will i»)t tarry).

The Principle of Faith, ch. 2. 4.

v. 4. The principle of faith – The just shall live by his faith.

Note: There quotations in N.T., each with a different emphasis –

Rom. 1. 17 – emphasis on Just

Gal. 3. 11 – emphasis on Faith

Heb. 10. 38 – emphasis on Live

vv. 5-20. The passion of pride – A fivefold woe, vv. 6, 9, 12, 15, 19.

– The portion of the unjust.

The Prayer of Faith, ch. 3. 1.

v. 2. “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years.”

This was not a cry to begin something new, but to maintain that which already existed – that God might “keep alive” His work.

Note the change of attitude on the part of Habakkuk – “In wrath remember mercy.” – This the result of his communion with God.

The Provision of Faith, ch, 3. 17-19.

v. 17. A Desert Scene. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom … the labour of the olive shall fail … the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; – Yet …”

vv. 18, 19. A Desert Song – “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation … The Lord is my strength.”
Faith Triumphant.