INTRODUCTION

Habakkuk means embrace signifying he was embraced by God thus strengthening him for the difficult task. His message was to Judah, the southern kingdom written between 612 and 589 B.C.

Chapter One - The prophet wandering and worrying.

He questioned if God would response to his cry, How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? (1:2) He could not comprehend why God would allow His people live corruption, injustice, ignoring the Torah. When God responded His judgment upon Judah through the Babylonians. He was even more disturbed that God would let this pagan nation punish His own people, even though they were admittedly guilty of gross sin. He questioned rhetorically, knowing and assumedly this was right but why,

Chapter 2 - The prophet watching and waiting.

He climbed upon his watchtower to await Gods answer. He determined to be silent, to stand and to watch. To see what the Lord would say to him so he could response accordingly. Soon it came (2:1-2). Gods answers: I will, through my woes! God told him the Chaldeans would indeed be punished, but only at His appointed time (2:3). Babylon was to be judged for their many sins (2:4-19) and 5 woes (:6, 9, 12, 15, 19). That is their pride, greed, bloodshed and violence, robbery, drunkenness and idolatry. Habakkuk was to live by faith. God is still in control over all the earth. The Lord is in His holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him. (2:20) God will someday rule over all the earth. The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (2:14)

Chapter 3 - The prophet worshipping and witnessing.

IO LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. (3:2). He found himself shrinking in the presence of the high and lofty One. His prayer now is far different from the earlier prayers; no longer is there an accusation or a demand, but simply a plea for mercy. God reminds this prophet how faithfully and powerfully the Lord has defended His people in the past.

The Book of Habakkuk ends with a Psalm (song) of faith and joy - 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 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deers feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

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