A Study on the book of Habakkuk Chapter 1

HABAKKUK 1

Bible Study Notes Rev. Betsy Perkins

The Prophet Wondering and Worrying

Habakkuk, the Prophet  (1:1):   

The best guess for when Habakkuk wrote this book is 610-605 BC. He lived in Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, during the reigns of King Josiah and King Jehoiakim in the years preceding the attacks on Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army. Those attacks came in 605, 597 and 586 BC. All we know about Habakkuk is what he tells us in this first verse – his name and that he is a prophet. Yet from his writing we can also learn that he knew Old Testament scriptures well and had a great faith in God. In addition, because of the prayer, or psalm, in chapter 3, some believe that Habakkuk may have been a priest who led worship in the Temple in Jerusalem. As a prophet, Habakkuk seeks to understand God’s ways and to intercede on behalf of God’s people. 

Warren Wiersbe writes, “Habakkuk’s name means ‘to embrace’ or ‘to wrestle’, and in his book, he does both. He wrestles with God concerning the problem of how a holy God could use a wicked nation like Babylon to chasten the people of Judah; and then by faith, he embraces God and clings to His promises. Habakkuk also wrestles with the spiritual decline of the nation and why God wasn’t doing something about it. Habakkuk wanted to see the people revived, but God wasn’t answering his prayers.”

• Are there questions about God and about the world that you wrestle with? What would you like to ask God?
• What are the promises of God that you embrace in times of uncertainty?

Habakkuk’s Complaint: God is indifferent  (1:2-4):   

• Does Habakkuk’s bluntness with God make you uncomfortable? Is it okay to talk to God this way?
• King Josiah was a good king. He died in 609 BC and the throne was passed to his sons, first Shallum and then Jehoiakim. What do we learn about these kings in Jeremiah 22:11-19?
• What are the problems that Habakkuk is concerned about in his nation?

In verse 2, the first word translated ‘cry’ simply means “to call for help,” but the second word means “to scream, cry with a loud voice, to cry with a disturbed heart.” As he prayed about the wickedness in the land, Habakkuk became more and more burdened and wondered why God seemed so indifferent. ~ Warren Wiersbe

• Are any of Habakkuk’s questions or complaints ones that you have ever put to God?
• Did Jesus ever ask questions like this of God? Read Matthew 27:46. 

The Lord’s Answer: I have a plan, I’m working  (1:5-11):   

• God doesn’t answer Habakkuk’s complaints directly. What does God give Habakkuk instead?

God answered His servant and assured him that He was at work among the nations even though Habakkuk couldn’t see it. God gave Habakkuk a revelation, not an explanation, for what we always need in times of doubt is a new view of God. The Lord doesn’t owe us any explanations, but He does graciously reveal Himself and His work to those who seek Him. ~ Warren Wiersbe

• What is God going to do that is so amazing, incredible and unheard of that even His prophet will be shocked?
• What are the words and images used to describe the Babylonians? How does it make you feel about them? 
• Habakkuk learned that God was indeed concerned about the problems in Judah, yet God’s plan for dealing with it was not at all what he expected. When have you cried to God and He answered in a way you were not expecting?

Habakkuk Complains Again: God is inconsistent (1:12-2:1):   

• What does Habakkuk affirm that he believes about God in 1:12-13?
• Warren Wiersbe writes, “As far as Habakkuk was concerned, God’s first answer hadn’t been an answer at all. In fact, it only created a new problem that was even more puzzling: inconsistency on the part of God. How could a holy God use a wicked nation to punish His own special people?” Have you ever wondered how a good and holy God could allow something? If so, when? What were the circumstances?
• In 1:13, Habakkuk asks a timeless question. What answer would you give to someone who was wrestling with this?
• Is this God’s first approach to trying to deal with the problem of sin and correct God’s people, or has God already tried other approaches? 
• Is sin in the life of a believer the same problem as sin in the life of an unbeliever who does not know the True and Living Lord? Is there a difference in how God should deal with them? What did this mean for the people of Judah? What does it mean for us?
• What point is Habakkuk making to God when he compares people to fish? What is his point as he then compares the wicked Babylonians to arrogant fishermen? 
• Do you agree with Warren Wiersbe when he writes, “Keep in mind that there’s a difference between doubt and unbelief. Like Habakkuk, the doubter questions God and may even debate with God, but the doubter doesn’t abandon God. But unbelief is rebellion against God, a refusal to accept what He says and does. Unbelief is an act of the will, while doubt is born out of a troubled mind and a broken heart.” Do you agree it is okay to question and debate with God, or do you feel that is a sign of a lack of faith or lack of trust in God? Why or why not? 
• What does verse 2:1 tell us about Habakkuk’s heart as he waits for God’s answer?

In light of this passage and our discussion, what one truth about God and about yourself stand out as something to “take to heart” this week?  

Are there steps you will take, by God’s grace, to more fully apply it to your life? 

Resources: NIV Zondervan Study Bible, 2015

J. Gordon McConville, Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Prophets, Volume 4, 2002

Warren W. Wiersbe, BE Amazed: Restoring an Attitude of Wonder and Worship, 2010

Tim Mackie, The Bible Project, How to Read Habakkuk (RightNowMedia)