Habkkuk 1

Overview:

More a dialogue with God than a prophecy Time of Writing: 630 B.C. (King Josiah, King Jehoahaz, King Jehoiakim) Theme: Trusting God in turmoil and judgement Key Scripture: 2:4

Chapter 1-1:11 → Babylon to Invade Judah (Judah's sin) Chapter 1:12-2:20 → God's Justice, Babylon to be Judged (Babylon's cruelty) Chatper 3 → His Psalm of trust and triumph in God

Purpose: The examine the issue of God's justice towards the nations

Message: God permits evil but does not cause evil; he's holy and righteous and punishes sin.

theosu

v.2

How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save?

v.4

Therefore the law is paralyzed and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous so that justice is perverted.

v.5

"Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

To be "amazed" is a human response to an event that utterly confounds all previous expectations; it runs counter to what the listeners "believe." The destruction of Jerusalem was such an event, creating both a national and theological crisis among God's people.

armerding

v.12

O Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O Lord, you have appointed them to execute judgement; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish.

v.13

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?