HABAKKUK

Let's do a study on some of the little known or talked about Books of the Old Testment. As we go along we will find that even today so many of us have the same complaints as did some of the phrophets of old. I hope you enjoy this study as much as I have.

The time for Habakkuk was during the reign of Jehoiakim. Between 625-606 B.C. Sweeping westward (1:6), were the Babylonians (Chaldeans), but hadn't reach Judah yet (3:16).

Chronology of the peroid:
639-608 B.C. Josiah. Great Reformation. Zephaniah
626 B.C. Assyria greatly weakened by Seythian Invasion
625 B.C. Babylon declared its Independence of Assyria608 B.C. Jehoahaz reigned 3 months. Taken to Egypt
608-597 B.C. Jehoiakim. A very wicked reign.
607 B.C. Babylonians destroyed Nineveh
606 B.C. Babylonians invaded Judah. Took captives
605 B.C. Babylonians defeated Egypt at Carchemish
597 B.C. Jehoiachin reigned 3 months. Taken to Babylon
597-586 B.C. Zedekiah. A weak, wicked king. Take to Babylon
586 B.C. Jerusalem burned. Land desolated

Chapter 1:1-4
Oh Lord, how long shall I cry....of the violence....and you not hear? Why do you show me ingiquity...behold violence...these rise up strife and contention...the law is slack...judgement doth never go forth;...wicked compass about the rightous...wrong judgement proceedeth.

This is Habakkuk's complaint to God about why his own nation had to be destroyed by another nation that is more wicked. He cries out to God for enlightment.

Chapter 1:5-12
ye among the heathren...and wonder marvelously;...work a work in your days, which ye will not believe...I raise up the Chaldeans..bitter and nasty nation...march against the land taking dwellings that aren't theirs...they are terrible and dreadful...their horses swifter than the leopards...they fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat...they shall come all for violence...they shall gather the captivity as the sand...they shall deride every stonghold...then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend,imputing this his power unto his god.

What was God's answer? He Himself had a reason for the terrorizing Chaldean's armies to make all these conquests.

Chapter 2:1-20
Here again Habakkuk voices his second complaint. He is going to keep his watch in the high tower...God told him to write the vison...but the JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH...5-20 goes on to state what NOT to do and why this terrible time is befalling the land and will over take the Chaldean's as well.

Habakkuk is acknowledging that Judah should be punished for her sins and seeks after further enlightenment.

What was God's answer? Because of they desired power,was drunk with the blood of nations, the Chaldean's will in her turn, be destroyed. Then as planned in the beginning of time, God's people shall fill the earth.

Chapter 3
In no way will I do this chapter the injustice of breaking it up. It is just to wonderful for that. Please, take the time out of your busy schudule and read this song by Habakkuk. It is so beautiful.

This is the jest of the chapter. Crying out to God to perform his wonders, as he did in the old days; yet fully has the resignation, and confidence that God's people have the security of eternal life.

God's blessings on each of you,

LJG

SOURCES:
KING JAMES BIBLE
H H Halley Bible Handbook