Habakkuk - Chapter 3

I fear, but I praise you

Habakkuk – Chapter 3

Review

1. What did we talk about in Chapter 2?
1. H’s reaction is central.  Yes, God’s message to him is the majority of the book, but it’s important that H. knew his responsibility, his role, etc.
2. The vision is a sentence for the Chaldeans/Babylonians, but also (at least partially) for Israel.
3. God’s will WILL be exacted.  We have no role in it other than to sit down, shut up, pay attention, be amazed, and write it down.

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading Habakkuk?
2. What’s your opinion of Habakkuk (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1. There is a vivid picture of God’s wrath and rage painted by H.  It both dovetails and contrasts sharply with how H. feels (inward parts tremble) and the praise verses at the end.
4. Last week, we started talking about how you respond when you understand a plan that God has pointed out?  It could be a new direction by the church, a new ministry opportunity for you, a new job, etc.  Do you think “Oh, I hate change”?  Maybe “Are you sure, God?”  Or, “I’ll pray about it.”?  But what about before you have a decision on what do to?  How do you go about figuring it out?  Many times, we make our decision on how to worship/serve based on our gifts/talents/skills (so that we look good?) or what WE want to do.  Other times, it’s based on the visibility of the position/opportunity.
   
   Too often, once we get into a position, we consider it “ours”.  I’ve done it.  You may have too.  But whose is it?  Is this MY lesson?  Is this OUR class?  No.  It’s God’s.
   
   H. realizes this in Ch 3 and then praises God for His work, not H’s.

Lesson

1. vv. 1-2 [READ – Hab 3:1-2]
1. V 1 – H is still a prophet.
2. V 1 – Shigionoth is a musical instrument.
3. V 2 – “I have heard the report about You and I fear.”  Why?

                                                               i.      Because God has painted a clear picture of what He plans to do and will not be delayed (from Chapter 2).

                                                             ii.      Does “fear” mean “terror”?  Fear here means that H. has a very healthy respect for God, His plan, and His power – as we all should.  It’s kind of like parenting.  I don’t ever want my children AFRAID of me, but they need to “fear” (respect) my authority over them.

4. V 2 – “revive Your work” – Whose work?  God’s.  Not H.’s.  Not Israel’s.  Not the Babylonians.  God’s.
5. V 2 – “…in wrath remember mercy”.  – H asks God to be merciful as He executes His plan.  Largely, this is a plan AGAINST Israel.  H. is asking God to be merciful to His/his people.
1. vv. 3-15 [READ – Hab 3:3-15]
1. Who God is:

                                                               i.      His splendor covers the Heavens (3)

                                                             ii.      Earth is full of His praise (3)

                                                            iii.      His radiance like the sunlight (4)

                                                            iv.      He has rays flashing from His hand (4)

                                                             v.      Before Him goes pestilence (5)

                                                            vi.      Plagues come after Him (5)

                                                          vii.      His ways are everlasting (6)

2. What God does/did:

                                                               i.      Startled the nations (6)

                                                             ii.      Anger / Wrath against the rivers/seas (8)

                                                            iii.      Cleaved the earth with rivers (9)

                                                            iv.      Mountains quaked (10)

                                                             v.      Waters swept by – the deep utters its voice (10)

                                                            vi.      Sun/Moon stood in their places (11)

                                                          vii.      Trampled the nations (12)

                                                         viii.      Went forth for the salvation of your people (13)

                                                            ix.      Struck the head of the house of the evil (13)

                                                             x.      Pierced with his own spears (14)

                                                            xi.      Trampled on the sea (15)

3. What does this do (for us)?

                                                               i.      Gives appropriate honor to God (to the best of our ability)

                                                             ii.      Reminds/Teaches us what God has done, will do/His promises

                                                            iii.      Gives us proper perspective that we are man and He is God

                                                            iv.      Strengthens our faith in the power of God

3. vv. 16-19 [READ – Hab 3:16-19]
1. H. heard and…

                                                               i.      His inward parts trembled (16)

                                                             ii.      His lips quivered (16)

                                                            iii.      Decay entered his bones (16)

                                                            iv.      He trembles in his place (16)

                                                             v.      Has to wait (quietly) for the invasion. (16)

2. What will happen?

                                                               i.      The fig tree will not blossom (v 17)

                                                             ii.      No fruit on the vines (v 17)

                                                            iii.      The yield of the olive shall fail (v 17)

                                                            iv.      The fields will produce no food (v 17)

                                                             v.      The flock will be cut off from the fold (v 17)

                                                            vi.      There will be no cattle (v 17)

3. What’s this mean?

                                                               i.      They’ll starve.  Not only will they be invaded, but they’ll not have crops or animals.  While we don’t know why, they won’t have any successful crops.

4. Yet…

                                                               i.      “I will exult in the Lord” (v 18)

                                                             ii.      “I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (v 18)

                                                            iii.      “The Lord is [his, our] strength” (v 19)

                                                            iv.      He made my feet like hind feet (v 19)

                                                             v.      He makes me walk on my high places. (v 19)

5. What do the “hinds feet” and “high places” phrases mean?

                                                               i.      Hinds = deer.

                                                             ii.      Like a deer, he’ll run on the hill.  He won’t just plod and plug along.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 18
2. How does H. feel in this chapter?
1. In awe.  I think chapter 3 is one big “WOW!” from H.
3. Do you praise/pray to God like H does?  Do you tell God how awesome He is, His power, etc?  Or do you just ask Him for stuff?  Or maybe just thank Him for stuff?  Or maybe just complain or admin sins to Him?
4. Why do we praise God?  Why should we tell Him how awesome He is?
1. To build up His self-esteem?  To give Him some positive reinforcement?  Hardly.  It’s to remind ourselves.
2. Do you go about your service to God plodding or with hinds feet?  Do you sulk, or have a lively step as if prancing on the hillside?

Print | posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 7:37 PM |