Habakkuk

Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

      Habakkuk wrote this self titled prophetic book. We know from II Kings 23:31-24:7 and II Chron 26:1-8, that he wrote this just before Jerusalem is conquered by Babylon. This means the original readers were most likely in exile by Babylon. Judah's pride and their idolatry is what God wanted to replace with faithfulness to Him (2:4-5). God talks about money a number of times and also about their idols. There is dialogue between Habakkuk and God. In the end God wins because of His sovereignty. Habakkuk sees God sending Babylon as unjust, but God shows Habakkuk that everything He does is just.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      God is a jealous God and does not take too kindly to the worship of wooden idols (2:19). What I think we see most in this book is God's sovereignty. Habakkuk questions this aspect of God's nature and God responds with power. He is unashamed to tell Habakkuk that Babylon with destroy Jerusalem and He make it clear that this is part of His plan. Habakkuk doesn't understand until chapter 2. God ends His statement by saying, “But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.” (2:20). What can Habakkuk say to God after that. No one can speak against God because He is holy and He sits in His holy Temple. The majesty and perfection of God is brought before Habakkuk and he surrenders his complaint before God with a song of praise.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      I love Habakkuk's praise in chapter 3. He praises God for all the ways He has come through for Israel in the past. It's like he was there and he is retelling the stories back to God. Habakkuk shows his reverence for what God has done for Israel when he says, “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear.” (3:16). Habakkuk gets it and declares that God is the God who saves (3:18). The redemption plan for mankind is scene in Habakkuk's utter amazement of God and His trust in His good judgment even though things are at their worst. Habakkuk puts His full faith in God and knows that He can rescue them from anyone who oppresses them.

Point of Passion (Bronx, NYC)

     Be silent before the Lord surrender to His sovereignty.  This aspect of God's nature has a lot to say to those who doing their own thing on their own strength.  You question God and take Him and His laws lightly.  You refuse to obey Him or see Him as the supreme authority.  What sorrow awaits those of you who worship your careers, your money, your homes and your social circles.  Everything you do is to bring glory to yourselves.  Woe to you and to your shameful ways.  We must all come to an understanding of who God is as Habukkuk did in his prayer to God.  He understood that God punishes the proud, the wicked and that He is awesome in power.