Habakkuk 1:1-17
Q.1. How long had Habakkuk been praying to God? What was the question he most wanted God to answer? What is the lesson for us? – (Hab.1:1-4)
Though Habakkuk had prayed about the looming crisis, no answer had initially come (Hab.1:2). This is a challenge for us to never give up praying. His first question was asking why he had to be part of a disintegrating society – Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? (Hab.1:3). With no clear intervention by God against the wicked in Judah, the people ignored the prophet’s message – therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous, Therefore justice comes out perverted (Hab.1:4). God’s seeming inaction against evil gave the enemies of the Lord a certain boldness.
Q.2. What answer did God give the prophet? Are there limits to what the enemy can do? – (Hab.1:5-11)
God informed the prophet that He was going to act in an astonishing way. He was going to use a ruthless nation to exact His judgment on His people – 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous people who march throughout the earth to seize dwelling places which are not theirs. 7 “They are dreaded and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves (Hab.1:6-7). Though God would use these ungodly people – … they will be held guilty, they whose strength is their god (Hab.1:11). Ultimately, God would judge the nation whom He would use to punish Israel for her disobedience and sinfulness.
Q.3. What was Habakkuk’s view of God? How did his view of God raise further questions about God’s dealing with Israel’s adversaries? – (Hab.1:12-17)
Habakkuk acknowledged God’s holiness – 12 Are You not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. You, O Lord, have appointed them to judge; And You, O Rock, have established them to correct. 13 Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look on wickedness with favour (Hab.1:12-13). However, this view then raised a further question – Why do You look with favour on those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they? (Hab.1:13). This is the age-old cry of the righteous – How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell upon the earth? (Rev.6:10). The Revelation of John finally gives a comprehensive answer to that question.