Journey Through Minor Prophets, Part 2Sample

Intro

Nicole introduces this lesson in which the prophet Habakkuk challenges God with some pointed questions, and the answers he gets are definitely not what he expects!

Habakkuk: In the Text

Habakkuk is a short to-the-point interchange between a frustrated prophet and God. Like the psalms of lament and the book of Job, he challenges God’s justice in a world where the unjust seem to prosper without repercussion. The “answers” he gets aren’t as satisfying as we would sometimes like, but they are aligned with what we’ve been learning throughout the Scriptures about how God’s sovereignty is meant to be understood.

A Symbol for Habakkuk

Habakkuk is a lot like the book of Job; it’s a questioning book. He asks God, “Why? Why do we suffer so much? Why are we overcome with injustice?” By the end of the book, we still don’t have an answer. Habakkuk’s question sort of hangs in the air, but this doesn’t prevent him from praising God. He says, in effect, “I know you’re doing something good. I just don’t know how or what.”

How long, LORD, must I call for help,

but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, “Violence!”

but you do not save?

Why do you make me look at injustice?

Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?

Destruction and violence are before me;

there is strife, and conflict abounds.

Habakkuk 1:2-3 (NIV)

How Long?