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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
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2016 April 2



Habakkuk (1423-1435)
Donatello (c. 1386 - 1466)
Renaissance Style
From the Bell Tower of the Duomo of Florence, Florence, Italy
Image Source: Wikipedia


     Explanation: The book of Habakkuk is a dialogue between Habakkuk and the LORD in which the prophet struggles to understand the ways of the LORD (called a Theodicy) and finally comes to an assurance of the LORD's mercy even while he awaits the judgment which is coming first. He may have written his book around 609 B.C., and thus could have been contemporary with the last kings of Judah: Josiah (640-609 B.C.), Jehoahaz [Shallum] (609 B.C.), Jehoiakim (609-597 B.C.), Jehoiachin [Jeconiah, Coniah] (597 B.C.), and Zedekiah (597-586 B.C.). He also would have been contemporary with the prophets Jeremiah (627-560 B.C.), Daniel (606-530 B.C.), Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.), and perhaps Obadiah (587 B.C.).
     The book opens in Habakkuk 1 with the prophet crying out to the LORD against the violence and the injustice which go on unchecked among God's people. In reply, the LORD says that he will bring judgment through the Chaldeans, "that bitter and hasty nation" (v. 6). They will come with violence against kings and princes and overcome the strongholds. But Habakkuk asks the LORD how he can allow the wicked to devour those who are more righteous than they are since the LORD is "of purer eyes than to behold evil, and can not look on iniquity" (v. 13). The LORD's answer comes in the next chapter. [Sermons: Alistair Begg. J V Fesko. O Palmer Robertson. ].
     Today's image depicts Habakkuk as a man under stress, which was certainly the case, as revealed in today's chapter. There Habakkuk carries the burden of his whole nation as he attempts to persuade the LORD to withhold judgment upon them.

          THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Josiah (640-609 B.C.): 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 21:24 - 2 Kings 23:34; 2 Chronicles 33:25 - 2 Chronicles 35:26; Jeremiah 1:1-3; Jeremiah 3:6. Jehoahaz [Shallum] (609 B.C.): 2 Kings 23:30-34; 2 Chronicles 36:1-3; Jeremiah 22:11. Jehoiakim (609-597 B.C.): 2 Kings 23:34-37; 2 Kings 24:1-6; 2 Chronicles 36:4-8; Jeremiah 22:18; Jeremiah 26:21-23; Jeremiah 36; Daniel 1:1-2. Jehoiachin [Jeconiah, Coniah] (597 B.C.): 2 Kings 24:6-17; 2 Kings 25:27-30; 2 Chronicles 36:8-10; Jeremiah 52:31-34; Ezekiel 1:1-3. Zedekiah (597-586 B.C.): 2 Kings 24:17-20; 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36:10-23; Jeremiah 21; Jeremiah 22; Jeremiah 24:8; Jeremiah 27; Jeremiah 28; Jeremiah 29; Jeremiah 32; Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Jeremiah 37; Jeremiah 38; Jeremiah 39; Jeremiah 44:30; Jeremiah 49:34-39; Jeremiah 51:59-64; Jeremiah 52. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]


1. The Bargain Between Habakkuk & Jehovah (1:1 - 2:20) - 609 B.C., Israel
    A. Dialogue 1 (1:1-11)
        1). Habakkuk's Complaint (1:1-4)
        2). The LORD's Answer (1:5-11)
    B. Dialogue 2 (1:12 - 3:18)
        1). Habakkuk's Complaint (1:12 - 2:1)
        2). The LORD's Answer (2:2-20)
2. The Agreement With Jehovah (3:1 - 3:19) - 609 B.C., Israel
  Habakkuk's Psalm of Trust (Habakkuk Worships God in His Sorrow) - (3:1-19)




Habakkuk 1


1. The Bargain Between Habakkuk & Jehovah (1:1 - 2:20) - 609 B.C., Israel

A. Dialogue 1 (1:1-11)

1). Habakkuk's Complaint (1:1-4)


     1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
     2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

2). The LORD's Answer (1:5-11)

     5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously [and be amazed be amazed]: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. 9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. 10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. 11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.

B. Dialogue 2 (1:12 - 3:18)

1). Habakkuk's Complaint (1:12 - 2:1)

     12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. 13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? 14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? 15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. 16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. 17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
     2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.




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