Habakkuk: When God Doesn’t Make Sense

The work of the prophets:

1. Preachers.

2. They brought anticipation of four major things:

• Coming judgment.
• Disasters.
• Hope from Yahweh.
• Far future hope of a Messiah.

3. Major sins confronted by the prophets:

4. Prophets:

• Former prophets, “prophetic history.”
• Latter prophets, (Major prophets) (minor prophets)

I. Habakkuk is a

• Complaint #1:
• Complain #2: (God’s answer, Hab. 1:511)
• Complaint #3: (Decision to go wait at the watch tower)

II. 5 woes against Babylon.

1. (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

2. (Habakkuk 2:9-11)

3. (Habakkuk 2:12-14)

4. (Habakkuk 2:15-17)

5. (Habakkuk 2:18-20)

III. What Will I Do When God Doesn’t Make Sense?

1. Reflect on (Habakkuk 3:1-15)

2. (Habakkuk 3:16)

3. Choose (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

4. Rely on God for (Habakkuk 3:19)

Questions:

1. Habakkuk brought to God some complains the people had. He was a “backward” prophet. What are some complaints people would have today against God?

2. What are some of the hardest places to believe God is at work?

3. Is there a time when your life felt so dark, it felt hopeless?

4. What are some things that happen in this world that feel like God is not fair?

5. What are some things that have happened in your life that feel like God is unfair?

6. Take some time to scan through Habakkuk. What are some characteristics about God you find in this book? What does Habakkuk teach us about God?

7. Has there been a situation in your life that has caused you to misunderstand God’s character?

8. How do we accuse God of wrong-doing in our world?

Read Habakkuk 3:

3:2: Why did Habakkuk ask God to remember “mercy”?

3:3: What do you think it means when he says the earth is full of his praise?

3:4: God “vailed” his power. Why did he veil himself?