4th most quoted of minor prophets (only 8th largest)

Contains the basis of the Apostolic arguments regarding justification through faith (alongside Genesis 15 v 6):

(also cited Romans 1 v 17 and Hebrews 10 v 38)

Scant biographical detail (‘message not man’)

Name means:

“embrace” (Strong’s, Brown-Driver-Briggs) “ardently embraced” (Jackson’s Scripture Names)

“A prophet” (v. 1) = Heb. nabiy. Possible roots:

From Heb. naba ‘to bubble up’, ‘boil / pour forth’ (cp. Jer. 20v11)? From Akkadian root nabu ‘to call’, ‘to call forth’ (as a prophet)?

A singer / musician, a Levite?

[‘loud cries’, ‘extollations’][‘loud cries’, ‘extollations’]

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Prophecy’s timing:Post 609 BC (Josiah’s good reign)Pre 606 BC (1st Babylonian incursion)

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“Burden”

Heb. massa – ‘an utterance, chiefly a doom’ (Strong’s); ‘a prophetical speech of a threatening or minatory character’ (TWOT); 25 of 27 appearances word used in prophetic context

“Did see”

A vision of future things (cp. ch. 2 v 2,3), connect with ‘seer’

“How long...?”

A familiar cry of the faithful: Psalmist (e.g. 13 v 1, 35 v 17, 74 v 10 etc.) Jeremiah (ch. 47 v 6) Souls under altar (Revelation 5 v 10)

HabakkukHabakkuk

The Chaldeans described by God...

No description of Judah’s survival

Chaldeans to “pass over, and offend” (v. 11)

Oppressor ascribes victory “to his god” (v. 11, see fulfilment in Daniel 5 v 1-4, 18-23, 30-31)

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A show of patriotism (cp. Jonah, Daniel etc.)

Hab. struggles to understand (as v. 5 predicted); questions God’s methods, not considering latter end

Oppression perhaps feels indiscriminate (as a net)

HabakkukHabakkuk

Verse Comments1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Habakkuk awaits God’s response, fully expecting to be “reproved” for his questions

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

By knowing God’s purpose plainly those to whom it is revealed (i.e. the saints) are able to “run”

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

The certainty of God’s word (and justice) is emphasised

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Only those justified by their own faith will ultimately “live”

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“Lifted up” = Heb. aphal. Only other

appearance is Numbers 14 v

44

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“Thick clay” (v.6) =

“pledges” (RSV). These received on clay tablets

Habakkuk a significant, albeit small, prophecy

A remarkable style and composition (providing a deep insight into God’s dealings with man)

God’s use of the Chaldeans to chastise His people

Such instruments not beyond punishment themselves

Brief lessonsI

t is in man’s nature to question God’s methodsT

o understand why things happen we must take the long perspective