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627 BC: The Beginning of Habakkuk's Ministry

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627 BC: The Beginning of Habakkuk's Ministry

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As Habakkuk's contemporary, Jeremiah begins his prophetic ministry. This helps set the historical context for Habakkuk's own prophecies. Both prophets would witness the decline of Judah and the rise of Babylon.

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722 BC: The Northern Kingdom is gone, having been destroyed by Assyrians

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722 BC: The Northern Kingdom is gone, having been destroyed by Assyrians

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#Study p40

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626 BC: Rise of Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon

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626 BC: Rise of Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon

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The Neo-Babylonian Empire begins its rise to power under Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar's father. This emerging empire would become God's instrument of judgment against Judah, as Habakkuk would later understand.

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Habakkuk starts his prophetic ministry during a time of great moral decay in Judah. He witnesses widespread violence, injustice, and corruption among God's people.

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The prophet questions God about why He allows wickedness to continue in Judah. This marks the beginning of his dramatic dialogue with God, recorded in Habakkuk 1:2-4.

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Habakkuk expects one thing, God announces that he will do the opposite.

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Habakkuk expects one thing, God announces that he will do the opposite.

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#Study p41.

He cries out, "Why doesn't God do something?" [Horrible Sins of the People (Habakkuk 1:1-4) tbd. ] " How can a just God permit such wrong?"

So the prophet Habakkuk gathered up the hurt of Judah and the righteous remnant within it and cried out in perplexity at the seeming silence of God.

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God reveals to Habakkuk that He will use the Babylonians as an instrument of judgment against Judah. This answer troubles Habakkuk even more, leading to his second complaint.

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Habakkuk struggles to understand how God could use a nation more wicked than Judah to punish His people. This shows his deep wrestling with questions of divine justice.

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The Babylonians and Medes destroy Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. This major historical event confirms God's word about Babylon's rising power and demonstrates His control over nations.

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God assures Habakkuk that the Babylonians will also be judged for their wickedness, revealing that 'the righteous shall live by faith' (Habakkuk 2:4).

Babylonian Empire (Chaldeans) defeated by Medo-Persian Empire

Medo-Persian defeated by the Greek Empire

The Greek Empire defeated by the Roman Empire.

Roman Empire declined and defeated by The Germanic king Odoacer defeated the Roman Empire in 476 AD. However, his invasion was simply the "straw that broke the camel's back". Rome had been in a state of decline for centuries and had suffered two previous sacks by Germanic tribes.

The German Empire collapsed after World War I in 1918.

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Despite the coming judgment, Habakkuk composes a beautiful prayer of faith and praise (Chapter 3), showing his growth from questioning to trusting God's sovereign plan.

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Habakkuk learns and teaches the crucial truth that 'The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him' (Habakkuk 2:20). This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and the proper response of humble submission.

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The Bible's purpose extends beyond merely providing information; it's also intended to guide individuals towards transformation and growth in their faith.

1. Developing Faith in Darkness

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Habakkuk developed his faith more when he was pressured in dark times and when God gave him His Word.

2. God Judges Sin

Galatians 6:7 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

2 Corinthians 9:6 - But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

God's chosen people reaped what they sow, what makes you think we cannot?

3. God's ways are higher

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”

Philippians 4:7

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

King James Version (KJV)

Extended Reading: 1 Corinthians 2

1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

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