HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:1 Superscription. “Oracle” translates a common word for “burden.” Prophets do not typically use the term “prophet” for themselves, but Habakkuk is called a prophet twice (v. Habakkuk 1:1; Habakkuk 3:1). This may be because his book differs significantly from most other pr... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:2 First Cycle. Habakkuk is disappointed that God does not seem to be answering his prayers. God’s response shows that, although Habakkuk doesn’t realize it, his prayers are already being answered. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:3 IDLY LOOK AT WRONG. It seems to Habakkuk that God is tolerating sin instead of punishing it (see v. Habakkuk 1:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:4 THE LAW IS PARALYZED. The Mosaic law had little impact on the hearts and self-centered desires of these people. JUSTICE NEVER GOES FORTH. The rich were trampling on the rights of the poor. RIGHTEOUS. There was still a righteous remnant who refused to break God’s laws to... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK 1:5 God’s Response. God has already begun to answer Habakkuk’s request: the Babylonians are coming to punish the Israelites. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:6 I AM RAISING UP. God uses nations for his own purposes (compare Isaiah 44:28; Daniel 2:21). CHALDEANS. Another name for the Babylonians, who defeated Assyria in 605 B.C. BITTER AND HASTY NATION. God knows the Babylonians well and uses their character traits to punish Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:7 THEIR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY GO FORTH FROM THEMSELVES. As they built their empire, the Babylonians were not bound by God’s law or even by any rules of common decency. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:9 The Babylonians were known for their VIOLENCE. THEY GATHER CAPTIVES LIKE SAND. They continued the Assyrian policy of deporting captives to other lands. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:10 SCOFF... LAUGH. The powerful Babylonians had little regard for weaker rulers. PILE UP EARTH describes siege warfare (see Isaiah 29:3; Jeremiah 32:24). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images. [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:12 Second Cycle. This passage asks an age-old question: Why does evil seem to go unpunished? God’s answer is that all who are wicked will eventually be punished; meanwhile, the righteous must live by faith. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (va... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:13 PURER EYES THAN TO SEE EVIL. Habakkuk wonders why God’s holiness did not stop him from using the corrupt Babylonians to punish a less wicked nation such as Judah. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:14 Habakkuk’s charge against God is that he allows mankind to act like lower creatures (FISH and CRAWLING THINGS), with no rulers or judges. Thus, wickedness goes unchecked. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:15 HE. That is, the “wicked” one in v. Habakkuk 1:13, which represents Babylon. HOOK. See Amos 4:2. Captives were sometimes taken away with hooks in their noses—an intentionally painful and humiliating treatment. DRAGS THEM OUT WITH HIS NET. The image is that of a fish he... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:16 HE SACRIFICES TO HIS NET. The Babylonians had become so powerful that they relied on their military strength for protection, the way others would have relied on their gods. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img;... [ Continue Reading ]
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON HABAKKUK 1:17 MERCILESSLY KILLING NATIONS FOREVER? If a righteous God does not step in to end the Babylonians’ wicked plan, who will? Where is God’s justice, and how can he tolerate this? ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img;... [ Continue Reading ]