October 16, 2022

Habakkuk 1:1-4

Author and Date

As Pastor Nate explained, Habakkuk is unusual as a prophetic book. It never addresses the people of Judah directly. Rather it is a dialogue between the prophet and God. The prophet Habakkuk was probably a contemporary of Zephaniah and Jeremiah, and possibly even of Ezekiel and Daniel. He most likely prophesied no later than the end of Josiah’s reign (640–609 B.C.).

Theme and Overview

The first two chapters are organized around Habakkuk’s questions and the Lord’s replies. Habakkuk saw Judah’s rapid moral and spiritual decline, and this deeply troubled him. Yet God’s response puzzled him even more. How could a good and just God use a more wicked nation (Babylon) to punish a less wicked one (Judah)? God makes it clear that both nations are to be judged and appropriately punished for their sin. Although Habakkuk may not fully understand, he has learned to rely totally on God’s wisdom and justice. He knows God can resolve issues in ways he could never have imagined. God is certainly worthy of Habakkuk’s praise and worship, which is how the book ends.

Many of the righteous in Judah would have agreed with Habakkuk’s words. They wondered what God was doing and struggled with the same issues as Habakkuk. God’s words reassured them that he was in control and would deal appropriately with the nations.

Questions from Habakkuk 1:1-4

1. Habakkuk begins with a complaint against God. Ultimately, Habakkuk is questioning/doubting the goodness of God. Have you ever questioned the goodness of God? What event or situation in your life caused you to question this?

2. Habakkuk doesn't complain to others about God but instead goes directly to Him with his strife. When you don't understand why God has ordained something, do you go straight to Him in prayer or do you complain to others about Him?

3. The picture that Habakkuk paints of the culture in verses 2-4 is one of chaos, confusion, violence, and disunity (very similar to our culture today). Pastor Nate reminded us that rather than complain about our culture, we should pray for it as well as our leaders. Do you regularly pray for our political leaders? What about the leaders in the Church? 

4. Pastor Nate spoke briefly about HOW we know God is good and that is because His Word tells us He is. However, there are some that place their experiences above the truth of God's Word. This is called "Experientialism". Experientialism is the philosophy or approach to life that sees experience as the most valuable source of knowledge. Think about yourself for a second. Do you form your beliefs of God based on/in His Word or your "experiences" with God? How can our experiences deceive us from the truth of who God is? 

5. Psalm 100:5 reads "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." This is a great reminder for us when we go through times of doubt and questioning. Take a moment to reflect on the many ways the Lord has been good and faithful to you.