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The book of Habakkuk captures an intimate conversation between a frustrated prophet and God during a time of national crisis, showing how deep faith emerges through honest questioning.

• Habakkuk lived in Judah during a time of moral decay, corruption, and political instability
• Unlike other prophets, Habakkuk speaks to God about the people rather than to the people on God's behalf
• The book is structured as a dialogue—Habakkuk questions, God answers, and the prophet responds
• Habakkuk's first complaint questions why God allows injustice to thrive among His people
• God's surprising answer: He will use the Babylonians as instruments of judgment against Judah
• Habakkuk's second complaint: How can God use a more wicked nation to judge His people?
• God reveals that the Babylonians will also face judgment, declaring "the righteous will live by faith"
• Five woes pronounced against greed, injustice, violence, exploitation, and idolatry
• Chapter 3 shifts from questioning to worship as Habakkuk chooses to trust God despite circumstances
• Habakkuk's powerful declaration: "Though the fig tree does not bud...yet I will rejoice in the LORD"
• The book connects to Jesus through Paul's use of "the righteous will live by faith" in Romans and Galatians
• Key lessons: waiting is part of faith, God will address injustice in His time, and faith means trusting God's character when circumstances don't make sense

Next week we'll explore the prophets who spoke during the exile, continuing our journey through the Bible's prophetic literature.

SOURCES:

• Barry, J. D., et al. (2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
• Galan, B., & Curiel, J. (n.d.). Bible Overview [Kindle edition]. Function.
• Longman, T. (n.d.). An Introduction to the Old Testament: Second Edition [Kindle edition]. Function.
• Nelson, T. (n.d.-a). The NIV, Open Bible: Complete Reference System [Kindle edition]. Function.
• Packer, J. I., Grudem, W., & Fernando, A. (Eds.). (2012). ESV Global Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
• Prior, D. (1988). The Message of Joel, Micah and Habakkuk: Listening to the Voice of God (J. A. Motyer & D. Tidball, Eds.). The Bible Speaks Today. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press.
• Ryken, L. (n.d.-b). Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible [Kindle edition]. Function.
• Sharp, M. D. (n.d.). Old Testament Prophets for Today.
• Wood, A., Miller, J., & Taylor, M. (2024). Faith in God’s Purpose. In J. A. Kenney, R. L. Nickelson, & T. Z. Stamps (Eds.), The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024 (Vol. 30). Colorado

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Note: All scripture references are from the NIV translation unless otherwise indicated.