Lesson 8: A Message from Habakkuk

“O Lord, how long” will evil go unpunished? Not forever…God will punish injustice. Yet, even though evil prevails in our time, the righteous will live by faith.

Historical Context

Judah gained independence from Assyria under good king Josiah (637-609 B.C.). He reformed Judah’s worship by abolishing idol worship, renewing the covenant with the Lord God, and centralizing worship in Jerusalem. However, Josiah was killed fighting against Egypt in 609 B.C. Egypt deported his son Jehoahaz (Shallum) and appointed Jehoiakim to Judah’s throne. Jehoiakim totally reversed Josiah’s reforms. Under his reign worship of pagan gods flourished and injustice prevailed. Babylon became the world power by defeating Assyria and Egypt in 612-605 B.C. and totally defeated Judah (and other lesser powers) by 597 B.C. It is probably during this time, under Jehoiakim’s reign, that Habakkuk lived and spoke these words. 

Outline

I. Habakkuk’s conversation with God 1-2

a. Habakkuk’s first complaint: Why does evil go unpunished in Judah? 1:1-4
b. God’s first answer: I will use Babylon to punish Judah. 1:5-11
c. Habakkuk’s second complaint: Babylon is more wicked than Judah! 1:12-2:1
d. God’s second answer: Be patient, because they too will be punished. 2:2-20

II. Habakkuk responds in prayer 3
a. Habakkuk asks God to show his power; he knows his mighty works. 3:1-15
b. Habakkuk will wait in patience and faith for judgment to come. 3:16-19

Literary Features

1. Habakkuk 1:1-4 is a standard lament. Usually, laments are followed by oracles of salvation; however, here it is followed by a promise of judgment. 
2. The words Mispat or “justice” and Torah or “law” in Habakkuk 1:4 refer to God’s whole order for society and all of God’s teaching, not simply judicial justice or the commandments. 
3. The last word in 2:4 is emunah, which means more than just faith. It means steadfastness, relying constantly on God in a daily walk with him, faithfulness. 

Discussion Questions

1. What does Habakkuk teach about evil? …about justice or injustice? …about faith or faithfulness (Israel’s or God’s)? …about prayer? …about hope? …about judgment? …about human needs? …about fairness? …about who God is (his character)? 

2. How can I apply this to my life? my needs? my enemies? my prayers? my faith? 

3. How can we apply this to our church? Who do we identify with more: Habakkuk, God, the Babylonians? Why? 

4. How does this help us relate to (think about, talk about, pray about, react to, interact with) the larger world around us today? 

- Eric Guild

(One of the valued missionaries on our staff, Eric serves as a missionary with his wife, Susan, and children Matthew and Anna. They have worked among the Sukuma people in Mwanza, Tanzania, since October 2000. Eric received his graduate training in missions from Abilene Christian University.)