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Lessons from Habakkuk: Embracing Justice and Trusting in God

Explore the major lessons from the book of Habakkuk, where the prophet wrestles with the presence of wickedness and learns to trust in God's justice and faithfulness.

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Lessons from Habakkuk: Embracing Justice and Trusting in God

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  2. My Servants The Prophets Major Lessons From Selected Minor Prophets

  3. Habakkuk: The Man • His name meant “Embrace” – He certainly “embraced” the cause of justice in his own country 1:2-4 – He also took to heart the cause of his Jewish brethren when he learned of God’s choice of the wicked Chaldeans to judge rebellious Judah 1:12-17 – Anything else re: him personally is unknown

  4. The Date: • Most likely, a prophecy between 612 – 605 B.C. – Babylon has already conquered Ninevah and begun its westward expansion – Babylon has not yet reached Judah & carried away the 1st captives (Daniel, etc.)2:3 3:16 – This range has Jehoiakim ruling in Judah, and his evil certainly corresponds with the prophet’s complaint 1:2-4 2 Kings 23:37

  5. Other Unique Information: If this dating is correct, this means Habakkuk was the final prophet God sent to His people during the days of the “The Divided Kingdom” Instead of speaking to the people on behalf on the Lord, Habakkuk pleads his case to the Lord on behalf of the people

  6. It’s Timely Message: • Habakkuk struggles with what he sees around him, and doesn’t understand how a righteous God can ignore such unrighteousness • His struggle is our struggle…we also observe our own world and may wrestle with issues where wickedness appears to have the upper hand over righteousness and truth

  7. It’s Timely Message: • The theme “The just shall live by faith”2:4 • An oft-repeated N.T. exhortation Rom 1:17 Gal 3:11 Heb 10:38 • This is the essence of faith/trust in God… believing Him even when things do not seem to make sense to His children

  8. Outline: • God’s judgment upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3 • God’s judgment upon Babylon 2:4-20 • Habakkuk’s prayer to God for compassion in the midst of certain judgment 3:1-19

  9. God’s Judgment Upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3 • Habakkuk’s 1st perplexity 1:2-4 • “How long…?” is an oft-repeated question asked by followers of God Job 7:19 Rev 6:10 • God’s supposed “indifference” is questioned • God’s 1st reply 1:5-11 • Jehovah was not indifferent • His solution is “unexpected” cruel Babylon • They will be God’s tool to judge wicked Judah

  10. God’s Judgment Upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3 Habakkuk’s 2nd perplexity 1:12 – 2:1 How can a holy God make such a choice?!?! He does admit he knows 3 truths 1:12 But, how can this harmonize with what else he knows? 1:13-17 Despite having such questions/doubts, he states he is willing to wait for God’s answer, and even for a reproof (correction) if warranted 2:1

  11. God’s Judgment Upon Judah 1:1 – 2:3 God’s 2nd reply 2:2-3 What He is about to tell the prophet was not for him only Habakkuk was to “record the vision” so that the one who read it may run (spread it around for others to also know) Though it wasn’t happening immediately, it was certain Isa 55:11 2 Pet 3:8

  12. God’s tool to judge Judah God’s tool to judge Babylon

  13. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 Comparison of the humble & proud vv. 4-5 Humble = just; lives by submissive faith (trust) (Habakkuk; other believers) Proud = not right before God; haughty due to “drunkenness” (Nebuchadnezzar) THEME Literal – Dan 5 Prov 20 Figurative – drunk on insatiable power, “empire building”

  14. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 A series of 5 woes pronounced as judgments re: Babylon’s guilt cp. Mt 23:13-36 Each woe has 3 verses…only the 5th one begins differently than the previous 4 Sung (Chanted) against Babylon by those whom Nebuchadnezzar had conquered vv. 5b-6a

  15. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #1 – Lust for conquest, plunder vv. 6b-8 He had not been content to “stay home” and build his kingdom honorably v. 5a “Rich with loans” = pledges taken from captives As with any debt, there is a payback date “Babylon The Looter” would eventually become “Babylon The Looted” (Cyrus of Persia – 539 B.C.)

  16. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #2 – Ungodly & cruel empire building vv. 9-11 Vain is he who thinks he can treat others in cruelty and make himself untouchable (“nest on high”) Nebuchadnezzar’s treatment of Zedekiah 2 Kings 25:6-7 God is aware of such practices, uses “evidence” to properly convict such sin v. 11 Gen 4:10

  17. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #3 – Building cities through blood vv. 12-14 This seems to reference the oppressive treatment Babylon forced on her captives…subjecting them to slave labor in building her cities, etc. Reminiscent of Egypt Ex 1:11-14 Gen 15:13 Such toil is “for the fire” (fiery Divine judgment) It is also “vain” (will eventually come to nothing)

  18. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #3 – Building cities through blood vv. 12-14 God contrasts His kingdom with such kingdoms of darkness While all earthly kingdoms are destined for failure (esp. those described here), God’s kingdom and the knowledge of His glory that supports it will fill the whole earth

  19. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #4 – Degrading use/shame of others vv. 15-17 Not only stripping conquered peoples of their possessions, but also of their honor & dignity The intent was to “expose their nakedness” (again either literal or figurative) Nebuchadnezzar spiked the drink in his hand with his own “venom” to poison his victims after getting them drunk on “wine” of power, conquest

  20. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #4 – Degrading use/shame of others vv. 15-17 Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t the only king with a drink in his hand to give to others He would drink of the cup in the Lord’s right hand (a Divine cup of wrath) Nebuchadnezzar’s nakedness will be exposed, and he will be judged for violence done to land, beasts, and humans

  21. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #5 – Idolatry vv. 18-20 Babylon was a “land of idols” Jer 50:38 The foolishness of carving a figment of human imagination, setting it up, and then requesting it to “Arise!” or “Awake!” It cannot teach or lead because it has no life in it Its only value is the precious metal man puts on it

  22. God’s Judgment Upon Babylon 2:4-20 “The Taunt Song” vv. 6-20 Woe #5 – Idolatry vv. 18-20 By contrast, the one true God has enthroned Himself He speaks…let all the earth keep silence and silently submit to His word

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