Habakkuk:

Relationships are two way streets

Usually prophets speak to people about them not upholding their end of the covenant; Habakkuk goes the other direction.

Relationship with God sometimes looks like complaint.

Two complaints with God responding. Hab 1:2

Question 1: God how do you tolerate injustice in the world? Injustice is only a scary thing if you are the oppressor. If you or your people are under threat, it is your hope.

God answers: I’m going to deal with it; but you’re not going to like it. Hab. 1:6

Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah: An Introduction and Commentary 3. Yahweh’s First Response (1:5–11)

The effect of the Babylonians on those with whom they came into contact was terror and dread (AV, NIV), a word usually used to describe the awesome response to God himself by one who experienced his presence (cf.

Question 2: You’re goign to use a worse people to judge those who are awful? Hab. 1:13

Application: Can you complain to God?

Can you argue with Him about his ways in your life?

2. Relationship with God sometimes looks like waiting: The answers you seek are coming, but they are going to feel slow. But have faith.

Hab. 2:1-4 All of chapter 2 is God detailing how he’s specifically going to deal with the oppressors that Habakkuk has a problem with.

Faith looks like remembering when the experience says otherwise.

Why can we wait? Because we have the relationship to remember. Remembering the exodus in Chapter 3

Hab 3.16-19

Unfortunately, the answers to some of your hardest problems, sometimes God’s answer is to wait. And you’re going to look around and see that the trees have nothign blooming, there’s no food, the flock is being cut off, and

How do we have this faith? The Gospel. The power of the Gospel is the means of faith. Romans 1.16-17

By receiving it from Jesus.

Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah: An Introduction and Commentary d. Fear and Faith (3:16–19a)

Habakkuk, who starts in depression, and doubt as to God’s righteousness and justice, ends with a lively confidence in God’s provision and sustaining power.