Habakkuk 1:1-17: A Perplexed Prophet

A Perplexed Prophet Habakkuk, 1:1-17

Habakkuk has been called the doubting Thomas of the Old Testament.

His name means “Embrace.”

He was the last minor prophet writing to the southern kingdom of Judah before the Babylonian captivity (605 BC).

He was prophet during the same time with Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel.

2 Corinthians 13:1, This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

1. THE PUZZLE ABOUT WHAT HABAKKUK SAW (1-4)

“Why is God silent and inactive?”

“Burden,” “heavy load” is signifying that the message was weighty.

62 times the expression “how long” occurs in Scripture.

“Will you punish our nation?”

2. THE PLAN GOD WAS ALREADY EXECUTING (5-10)

God’s answer “I will through Judah’s foes.”

It will be done even during Habakkuk’s lifetime.

3. THE PROPHET IS PERPLEXED WITH GOD’S ANSWER (11-17)

“How can God use such a wicked sinful nation for a holy cause?”

Habakkuk’s question, “Will you punish these Chaldeans also?”