The prayer of a changed man
Notes
Transcript
Theme: God knows what He is doing!
Theme: God knows what He is doing!
1Review
1Review
Written by Habakkuk
Q & A in chapters 1-2
While he got answers, they were not what he wanted or expected.
How long was answered by: I’m already at work.
How can you use evil people for your purposes was answered by: They will get judgment too as you see My sovereign plan unfold.
Now, because of the answers he received, Habakkuk in the closing out of the book makes God’s Salvation key. See it in verses 8,13,18!
2The Prophet’s Prayer of Praise. 3
2The Prophet’s Prayer of Praise. 3
When we have listened to God, it behoves us to personally respond.
A.Again the prophet affirms his authorship. 3.1
A.Again the prophet affirms his authorship. 3.1
He even tells us what style of song he is writing: “Shigionoth”
The exact meaning is not certain, but we have historical precedent & linguistic clues.
Scholar’s best educated guess is: an emotional song of praise. It is wild, passionate and exotic (rapid changes of rhythm, syncopation). Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
It is a compound word comprised of 2 Hebrew words - reel & stagger
This section of the book is different than the first 2 chapters. This section is like a Psalm. You can even see that in the use of the word “Selah” that means pause during a musical interlude and think about these words. This is the only use of “Selah” outside Psalms.
B.He addresses Yahweh his God. v2
B.He addresses Yahweh his God. v2
O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.
First he makes it known that He has heard God’s answers to his personal problems and questions.
Habakkuk knows the answers were from God.
The Prophet admits fear.
The Prophet encourages God to do His work and keep it going (revive it).
The Prophet asks for mercy amidst the wrath.
In this chapter, Habakkuk also calls Him Elohim (3,18)[highest God] and Adoni (19)[Solid, Strong God, Almighty God]
C.He gives praise and recounts the characteristics of God. 3-16
C.He gives praise and recounts the characteristics of God. 3-16
There is great wisdom in this. When we get answers from God that are not what we are seeking, we too should focus on who God is, and His plan. Continuing to mope around and wish we could get our way does not end well.
He is God -3
He is “the Holy one” the one seperate and elevation from sinful mankind due to perfect moral purity. Isaiah used this name 30x
He is glorious
He is worthy of praise
He is all powerful 4-7
He does have an angry side, and can wield wrath like no one else can. 8-16
Patterson refers to these verses as “A victory ode that sings of the mighty strength” of God.
Even in the midst of wrath, His intent is salvation. 13
Habakkuk,(A Description of the Lord’s Appearing in Great Power (3:3–15))
Robertson notes, “Judgment had been central to Habakkuk’s dialogue with the Almighty. But the whole point had been salvation for God’s own in the context of judgment.”
You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
Years ago, I used to ask the congregation from time to time if they could name a characteristic or an attribute of God. The easy ones would always get grabbed up first, and the longer I pressed for more answers, the harder people had to think.
Passages like this help us expand our understanding of how big our God really is! Yes, it is poetry. Yes it is a song! However, don’t let the literary style obscure what is important truth.
God is in control of His plan!
A builder needs more than a hammer to build a great house. He needs drills, saws, measuring equipment, fasteners of all types, sanding equipment, painting gear, and more. God is the master builder of His kingdom and His people. He has a lot of tools in His toolbox!
3.The Closing Hymn of faith. 17-19
3.The Closing Hymn of faith. 17-19
Wiersbe says, “these verses contain on of the greatest confessions of faith found in the Bible.” “Even when my desire for prosperity, comfort and ease fail, I choose you, God.”
A.Life can be hard! 17
A.Life can be hard! 17
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
And we can get grumpy about TP shortages at the shops!? Habakkuk knows hard times are coming. He is willing to think ahead and know what the affects of God’s plan means for his immediate future.
These are the OT equivalent of:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
and
But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, ...that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
See Jesus Christ repeat this in Mt 4.4 & Luke 4.4
B.He chooses to have a good attitude and keep his eyes on God and God’s plan of salvation.
B.He chooses to have a good attitude and keep his eyes on God and God’s plan of salvation.
yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Max L. recently said something that has hit me hard. It was simple; yet profound. Max said, “Think about what you think about!”
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah 5. Habakkuk’s Confidence in the Lord (3:17–19)
Habakkuk felt Yahweh’s impulse to judge in no way dismisses the Lord’s loving nature.”
C. Look to what God will do in the days ahead. 19
C. Look to what God will do in the days ahead. 19
God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Conclusion: God knows what He is doing!
Conclusion: God knows what He is doing!
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
That is an awesome plan far beyond human capability! Since the Just live by faith, we too need to understand what God has clearly communicated to us and boldly wait, watch, and worship.
1.How do we do at dealing with life’s problems as people of faith?
2.Do we admit honestly that God’s plan does not always match our plan?
3.When God clearly directs us, do we rejoice or pull back?