habakkuk hmwk week 6

8/3/2019 Habakkuk Hmwk Week 6

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/habakkuk-hmwk-week-6 1/22

Day 1

*What Scriptures did you read in your time alone with God today?

*What has God impressed upon your heart today?

1. Read Habakkuk 3:1-15

Chapter three is an interesting chapter in that it is written a little differently

from the previous two chapters. The very first verse uses the word

“Shigionoth.” Some translations have translated this word to mean

“orchestra.” The exact meaning is uncertain, but it is believed that the term

implies some sort of accompaniment. As you read through a little farther,

you may have noticed the use of the word “Selah.” The term “Selah” is a

musical instruction… a pause in the singing. Aside from the third chapter of

Habakkuk, it is only used in the Psalms. What we can gather from the waythe third chapter was written, is that this chapter was meant to be sung.

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2. After doing a preliminary reading of the first fifteen verses of the chapter,

why would you guess that there is a shift in the way these passages are

recorded? Why do you think the chapter was intended to be sung?

Habakkuk is singing this last chapter of the book. There has been much

reconciled in his understanding of the Lord. If you consider what we’ve been

studying in the book, it’s important to note that Habakkuk circumstances

haven’t changed at all. In fact, the book starts with Habakkuk questioning

the Lord about how bad circumstances are and actually finds that

circumstances only get worse. This hardly seems cause for singing, and yet

that is exactly what Habakkuk is doing. The beautiful process that we see

happen is not that God changes the circumstances, but that God changes

Him.

3. Look closely at verses 3:1-2. What are your initial thoughts on the

passage?

4. In verse 2, Habakkuk says that he has “heard the report about you.” This

one line can encourage us in two ways. One way is that it reminds us, once

again, to write things down. Record what the Lord is doing and has done-

just like we looked at in chapter 2, verse 2. The other way that this verse

encourages us is to talk about the things of the Lord, to recount His

goodness. The Israelites made a practice of talking about the faithfulness of

God. Do you have that practice in your life? Just as Habakkuk wasencouraged by the reports that He had heard of the Lord, we can be doing

the same for ourselves and for others. This recounting of God’s faithfulness

is a common theme in scripture.

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5. Read Psalm 75:1 and Psalm 26:7.

6. Write down five ways that the Lord has been faithful in your life. These

are the kinds of things that we want to be reporting on.

Remembering what the Lord has done for us in the past encourages us in the

present and gives us hope for the future. We trust and hope that just as the

Lord has acted on our behalf in the past, that he will continue to do so.

7. What are some of the things that the Lord has done for you or taught you

in that past that you are hoping He will “renew” or “revive”?

The last line of verse 2 says, “in wrath remember mercy.” These two polar

opposite responses are found fused together in the Lord. This prayer iscounting on all that God has said that He is, being true. Nowhere can we see

this truth more clearly than in the person and sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

8. Read Romans 5:8-11. How is this verse the perfect example of God

remembering mercy in His wrath?

Memory Verse- This week, you will be choosing your own memory verse. The verse

should be a verse that the Lord has taught you… not that you’ve already

memorized, but that you’ve experienced the truth of. The verse should be

one that points to how the Lord has been faithful in your life. Perhaps it is a

verse that the Lord used to sustain you through a difficult time, or a verse

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that helped you better understand a trial that you experienced. It should be

a verse that reminds you of a time when the Lord was faithful to you- not in

changing your circumstances, but in changing you.

When you spend time in your small groups, consider going around the group

and sharing your verse and giving a brief explanation of how the Lord used it

in your life. Take this opportunity to boast in the Lord.

If you are a new follower or not yet a follower of Christ, you may not feel as

though you have a verse to memorize or share. Don’t feel as though you

need to make something up. Trust that the Lord, in His perfect time, will

plant His word in your heart. In the meantime, you may wish to pray

throughout the week that the Lord would reveal something in His word for

you in your quiet time or in the Bible study.

Write out your verse here.

Journal-

What has the Lord shown you today as you have studied His Word? Be sure

to discuss at least one verse in particular.

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Day 2



1. Read Habakkuk 3:1-15.

Memory Verse-

Write out your memory verse.


passage?

Beginning in verse 3, the Lord answers the request that Habakkuk made in

verse 2… to revive His works, make His glory known in this time. Verses

three through fifteen are what is called a “theophany.” A theophany, as

defined by D. Garland in his book on Habakkuk, “is an appearance of God in

great power and glory.” There are many examples of theophanies in the Old

Testament. One writer explains a theophany in this way, it is a “composite

of images drawn from the most awesome elements in the natural world,

used freely and poetically in an effort to represent the emotional effect of

experiencing the immediate presence of God himself.”

The next thirteen verses seem to take the best of the best examples, the

most glorious of the most glorious pictures of who God is.

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Verse three is a reference to the Israelites being led out of Egypt. It would

remind its hearers of God’s faithfulness to them in the past. It is followed by

a “Selah,” a pause for meditation.

3. Let us follow the same form. Take a moment to make a note of one

significant time that you can remember God’s faithfulness.

4. Now, would you take a moment to meditate on God’s faithfulness in your

life? Put yourself on the clock for a couple of minutes, if that helps you to

discipline yourself.

Verse four talks about light and power. Radiance, sunlight, rays flashing…

the verse contains a collection of images. These images would have been

familiar to the hearers and would have reminded them of the character,

goodness, and ways of the Lord.

5. Read through the following verses and write down what the brightness or

light represents in each of the verses.

Exodus 13:21-

Exodus 24:16-

Ezekiel 10:4

Psalm 18:28

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Unlike Habakkuk’s original readers, we have the blessing of seeing in the

New Testament how Christ was the embodiment of this light.

6. Read John 1:1-13. How does Christ personify what is pictured of God in

the Old Testament?

Verse five reminds us that the Lord punishes His enemies. There is comfort

in knowing that the Lord will have the final say in all things. We can rest in

the fact that the Lord takes perfect care of His people.

7. Read Exodus 7:14-25 to be reminded of the awesome power of God. The

plagues of Egypt would surely have come to the mind of Habakkuk’s hearers.

They would have remembered how the Lord had delivered them. As you

read, remember how amazing the Lord has been to deliver you as well.

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Journal-



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Day 3




Memory Verse-



passage?

The answer to all of Habakkuk’s concerns and prayers and been found in the

power and the glory of the Lord. The Lord did not necessarily answer the

prophet’s prayers in the way Habakkuk would have liked, but He has given

Habakkuk the gift of peace and reverence. Look at verse 6. God stands in

power. What confidence springs forth when His mighty power is illuminated.

Different translations state the second part of that line differently. Some say

the Lord shook the earth others say He surveyed the earth. Still others say

He measured the Earth. All translations point to the fact that it is His… all of it… He completely owns it, dominates it, controls it. Habakkuk took great

comfort in that and we can do the same.

3. Read Psalm 24:1-2. What is the Lord’s?

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Further down in verse 6 talks about mountains and hills. This is an earthly

reference for us. We know what mountains and hills look like and how solid,

unmovable, and eternal they seem. A mountain is established. No man can

move a mountain. It is secure and beyond the control of man. But God can

do anything. He can shatter a mountain and collapse a hill. He is above any

certain thing we may count on. There is nothing that is out of the reach of

the Lord. He is the ultimate eternal fixture. Verse 6 ends with HIS ways are

everlasting. He is the one thing that we can count on to remain.

We may recognize this truth in our heads and yet our daily lives may not

reflect this truth.

4. What are some of the things you place significance in- as if they are

eternal or reliable fixtures?

Verse 7 talks about the “tents of Cushan” and the “tent curtains of the land

of Midian.” These nations are meant to reference the land between Egypt

(the land of slavery for the Hebrew people) and Cannon (the land of promise

for the Hebrew people). These nations represented the path that the

Hebrews took from slavery to promise. The miracles and legends of the

Hebrew God went before the Hebrew people- as the awesome and terrifying

works of the Lord were talked about all over that region.

The Lord worked on the behalf of His people as they traveled through these

nations and the reference would have reminded the hearers of how the

mighty right hand of the Lord had upheld them as they traveled. It would

also remind the hearers that any nation who has had a glimpse of the power

of the Lord would tremble in fear of Him.

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5. Read Exodus 23:27. What is one way that the Lord protected the Hebrew

people?

6. Can you look back on where you’ve been and see a time when the Lord

protected you?

7. Can you think of a time when you have seen a glimpse of the power of

the Lord and it has put you in awe of Him?

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Journal-



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Day 4




Memory Verse-



passage?

Verses 8-11 are an interesting section of this chapter. It is unclear as to

whether this passage is referencing events in Israel’s history or whether is it

referencing expectation of things to come. It is possible that both are true.

**** states in his commentary, “The Lord who does not change is sovereign

over history, not only in the past but also in the present and future as he

works for his own glory and the redemption of his people… The prophet

Habakkuk saw the work of God in the past and knew that God would alsowork in the future. Our faithful God who does not change is a subject

preached throughout the Old Testament.”

We will attempt to look at the verses in the same light. Just as God has done

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these things in the past, we can be sure that He will continue to act in great

power and authority for all eternity.

Look at the following passages in light of the encouragement and truth that

they were for Habakkuk and the Israelite people. Also recognize, though,

that they are part of your story as well. Our God has always been faithful to

His people. This is as much your story as it was theirs.

3. Read the first two lines of verse 8. This line is most likely referring to

what the Lord did in Joshua 3:14-17. Read Joshua 3:14-17 and explain how it

connects to the first two lines of Habakkuk 3:8?

4. The third line is probably referencing Exodus 14:13-23. Read the Exodus

passage and explain how Habakkuk 3:8 and Exodus 14:13-23 are connected.

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5. The fourth and fifth line can be correlated with Pharaoh’s chariots. Read

Moses’ song in Exodus15:36 and explain the relationship between the

verses.

Verse nine is possibly referencing the many battles that had to be fought in

order for the Israelites to make it to the land of Canaan. Another idea is that

since the word “bow” is the same word used in the account of Noah’s flood

and the rain“bow” that followed, it may be referencing that event.

6. Read the account in Genesis 7 and explain how Habakkuk 3: 9 might be

referring to the flood.

7. Take a moment, as it says in verse nine, to “Selah.” Meditate on how God

has displayed His power to you- both in the accounts of Scripture and in your

current life.

8. Both references in verse ten can be associated with the book of Judges-

as the events have already been sung about in the song of Deborah and

Barak. Read line one of verse ten and explain how it might go with the event

described in Judges 5:4.

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9. Read the second line of verse ten and explain why it might be connected

to Judges 5:21.

The last two lines of verse ten might again be a reference to the Red Sea and

the Jordan river… or it might be personification of the waters of the Earth.

The Word of God says that all the Earth worships the Lord.

10. Read Psalm 93:3. What parallels do you see in the two scriptures?

11. The final verse of the day, verse eleven is most likely connected to

Joshua 10:12-13. Read the passages and explain why.

As you’ve spent time reading these different accounts of the Lord’s

faithfulness, hopefully you have been reminded of the Lord’s power and

sovereignty. It should be a cause for peace and security, just as it was for

Habakkuk and his hearers. What a wonderful thing to recount the goodnessof our God.

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Journal-



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Day 5




Memory Verse-



passage?

Yesterday’s focus was all about the goodness and faithfulness of God in the

past. Today’s passage really deals with the rescue of God’s people. This

rescue is meant to refer to the then-current rescue of the Israelites from the

Chaldeans as well as the coming rescue of a Messiah. As we put the two

days of study together, we see that just as God has always been faithful to

glorify Himself and take care of His people, so will He continue- in both our

current circumstances, as well as in our future.

### suggests that, “Perhaps Habakkuk was looking both to the past (the

exodus) and to the future (deliverance from Babylon) and using the ancient

victory to encourage the people to expect a new victory.” Hopefully, it does

the same for us.

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Verse twelve talks about the wrath of God coming across the Earth-

specifically Babylon. We are reminded again of the Lord’s awesome power

and sovereignty. The same idea is presented in multiple other places.

3. Read Jeremiah 51:33. What does this verse say?

Beginning in verse thirteen, we see the hope for what is to come. The same

God who was their salvation in the past would be their salvation in the

future. “Salvation” in this context is translated as “to save” or “to deliver.”

The Lord would both save them and deliver them- in the earthly context as

well as the eternal context.

4. Read Daniel 5:22-31. What happened to the last king of Babylon,

Belshazzar, and the Babylonian empire?

The Lord goes forth for the “salvation of (His) anointed.” The word

“anointed” means chosen. It means that the Lord has selected His people

for a specific purpose. The verse is talking about not only the Israelites at

that time, but also His redeemed people now.

The third and fourth lines are interesting in that they have a couple of

different connections. The “head” can mean both the literal head of a body

and also I can mean the highest power… the pinnacle of an organization. If

the verse was referring to the past, it may have referred to Pharaoh’shouse… that the Lord had the firstborn killed in the land of Egypt- as the final

plague- in order to finally free the Israelites from captivity. It reminded the

hearers of what God did for them. In it’s present- tense it may have also

foreshadowed what God would do to king Belshazzar, the “head of the house

of evil” in Babylon- as you read in Daniel.

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Another concept it could be referencing is the eternal story of redemption

and the role of Christ the redeemer. It may have been casting vision for

what the Lord would do in the future for all of His anointed people.

5. Read Genesis 3:14-15. Describe the possible connection between these

verses.

6. Be sure to follow the text and “Selah.” There is much to meditate on. Be

sure to consider the profound ways of the Lord.

Verse fourteen reassures us that evil will get what it deserves… that

however bad it is, it will be brought down. There is great irony throughout

scripture with regard to this.

7. Read the following verses and note the irony of the promised destruction.

Esther 7:10-

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Daniel 6:24-

Isaiah 9:20-

Psalm 7:12-16-

Commentator O. Palmer Robertson offers that, “Rather than being terrified at

the strength of their enemies, God’s people ought to rest confidently in the

assurance that the strength of the enemies’ power only displays their

capacity to destroy themselves.” What a comforting thought to once again

be reminded of our security in the Lord and that His justice will prevail as He

works on the behalf of His people.

Verse fifteen once again reminds us that nothing can stop the Lord from

acting on behalf of His people… not the deepest of seas or the surge of many

waters. We’ve looked at multiple scriptures that testify to God’s command

over all things. We are grateful for a God who commands the Earth and who

providentially cares for His people and works for His glory.

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8. End today with your personal response to chapter three. You may want

to write a prayer or simply note your thoughts. Next week, we will look at

Habakkuk’s response… don’t read ahead! Be honest with where you are

personally.

Journal-



habakkuk hmwk week 6

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