Habakkuk 01
v 1. We know Habakkuk means “embrace”, but it’s intended use is uncertain. He was apparently a Levite musician in addition to a prophet. He prophesied during the godless reign of Jehoiakim, just before Judah’s captivity. His was a heavy message.
v 2-4. His question was similar to that of Job to our present day. “Why do the wicked prosper?” Justice was perverted and God seemed to ignore it. Ps. 73:3,12.
v 5. God answered He would cause unbelievable actions in international affairs.
v 6-9. The Chaldeans were cousins of Abraham and Israel, but like the Assyrians, these Babylonians were ruthless. They had fast horses that loved the challenge of battle, and chariots that swept over the mid eastern area, taking multitudes of captives.
v 10. They scoffed at kings, as they killed Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, then put out his eyes. They scoffed at strongholds by making battle siege mounts.
v 11. Sacrilegiously, they made their strength their god, a false god.
v 12. Habakkuk didn’t believe Babylon would destroy God’s people because: a, God is everlasting and wouldn’t break His covenant; b, God will not allow sin to go unpunished in Israel or others. Babylon was just to correct Judah, not destroy her.
v 13. Yet he wondered why God would use an even more wicked one to do this.
v 14,15. Judah was helpless like fish and Babylon like fishermen with hooks and nets rejoicing over their catch, and Habakkuk wondered why God allowed it.
v 16,17. The Babylonians worshiped the very military might that brought them profits, and He wondered if God would let these idolaters keep on plundering others.
Habakkuk 02
Great verses of this chapter are 1, 4, 14, 15 and 20.
v 1. Since Habakkuk couldn’t understand, he would figuratively take up position like a watchman and wait to see what God would answer to his complaint.
v 2. The Lord’s answer was so clear that it was to be recorded on a clay tablet to preserve it, and the messenger was to read it, then run to tell others.
v 3,4 This looks beyond Babylon’s invasion and it’s fall to the destruction of the wicked in the Tribulation. God’s Word is true and it will come to pass. The Chaldeans and others proud will be destroyed, but the just shall live by his faith, Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:37,38. In the New Testament this refers to salvation and eternal life.
v 5. Babylonian drinkers thought they could conquer and control the world.
v 6-8. Woe, she had plundered and killed, but her victims will rise up, plunder her.
v 9-11. Woe, for Babylon’s coveting and securing riches at their own place. They ruined many nations, but even the building materials were witness of her injustice.
v 12-14. Woe, for building their cities with the blood and toil of slaves, but the labor is in vain. In contrast, in the Millennium, earth will be filled with the glory of God.
v 15-17. Woe, for drinking and lust and causing others to, but pictures inhumanity, even stripping Lebanon of trees and wild animals, and slaughter of humans.
v 18,19. Since idols were of no value: Woe, to those who put their trust in them.
v 20. In contrast to worthless idols, God rules from heaven, and instead of calling Him to wake, we are to be in silent awe before Him. This leads to the triumph of chap. 3.
Habakkuk 03
v 1. The Dead Sea Scrolls Commentary does not mention this chapter, but it is a prayer of praise given by Habakkuk in musical form for God’s answers in chapter 2. Habakkuk identifies himself as the prophet. Enthusiastic irregularity of chords on stringed instruments, also v 19.
v 2. Before his praise, Habakkuk asks for: a, Fresh manifestation of God’s power in his own day; b, In God’s acts of judgment, he asks for mercy.
v 3. After mentioning the area where God spoke to Moses from the mount, he says Selah. In the 71 times it is used in Psalms, it is a break in the music for effect as they “Think of that”. At Sinai God’s revelation of Himself outshone the sun and moon, and His fame penetrated to the uttermost parts of the earth.
v 4. There radiance emanating from God revealed his “horns” or power, but only partially, or the people would have been consumed.
v 5. Pestilence preceded the Lord as in Egypt and lightning followed to show His power. Some think it was a disease accompanied by a burning fever.
v 6. When God stops to measure the earth at a glance, even mountains quake. Notes on Ex. 19:16-19.
v 7. All the nations trembled when they heard of God delivering from Egypt. Notice Sinai is in Midian, which is in Arabia, not traditional Sinai.
v 8. God was not angry with the rivers, but showed power in delivering Israel.
v 9. God unsheathes His bow and keeps His oaths. Selah. He forms new rivers. Probably not referring to river from the rock, Ps. 78:15,16, but to the overflowing use God made of the waters at times on Israel’s foes.
v 10. Mountains quake and even underground waters react to God’s power.
v 11. Sun and moon stood still, Josh. 10:12,13. Hail and lightning were His.
v 12. Habakkuk sees God as a giant trampling His enemies as He walks through.
v 13. As God used Moses etc. to deliver Israel, He is preserving the Messiah, who will ultimately deliver. Meanwhile, Babylon will be engulfed to the neck, near death.
v 14. Habakkuk identifies with Judah, “me”, when Babylonians came gloating over their conquest. There were times when confused enemies fought each other, as in 1 Sam. 14:16.
v 15. This is the deliverance through the Red Sea, as though He was on horses.
v 16. In 2:1 Habakkuk said he would watch and see for the Lord’s answer, and it was so dramatic it left him so awe stricken he was practically undone. Viewing God’s power in the past assured him God would destroy Babylon and preserve Judah.
v 17,18. After listing the worst possible consequences of sin, which Babylon did inflict on Judah, Habakkuk maintained he wouldn’t just endure, but rejoice in the Lord.
v 19. His strength was not personal stamina, but was from the Lord. God would inspire him to bound through trials and rise in triumph of victory. In conclusion he tells the director of music to accompany his poetic utterance of this chapter with stringed instruments. See also v 1. He had begun the book with discouragement and perplexity, but ended with the Lord not only answering him, but giving him confidence and victory.
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In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking colleger courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.
ANSWERS to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions by Pat RobertsonOUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen
08/19/2011