Introduction
Whatever translation you are most comfortable with can be trusted as error -free and completely trustworthy in what it proclaims that the Book of Habakkuk is essentially a conversation between Habakkuk and God about the evil and injustice of his time. In his mind, God has allowed him to see the evil and injustice(s) of his time. Habakkuk wondered and asked, how long a righteous God would tolerate evil and eagerly awaited God`s response. Habakkuk`s experience is a larger pattern typical of the injustice and evil in most part of the world. Like ancient Israel, many have been touched by evil and injustice that is painful and may not be the best to ignore. What is clear is that Habakkuk was very frank about what he saw and how he felt in his heart. This idea is supported by our way of behaving as important means to help us contrast Habakkuk and take responsibility or know things we can do to cope with evil and injustice because it is customary to feel differently when we don`t understand why Habakkuk wanted to remain engaged with God for an answer. Besides the confidence of Habakkuk, God responded with even harder answers that Habakkuk struggled to understand. We see at the end; Habakkuk chose to believe God`s way was best and accept to live by faith even though he struggled to understand.
When we review the history of the Babylonians and their previous role, including the final faith of the Babylonians, we can understand the context of our study better for the reason that believers everywhere in the world wonder and are asking, “Why God`s majesty and power are not continually on display against evil and injustice without contemplating God`s plan without excluding the factors and circumstances motivating evil and injustice. Today, our study will help to convince us that God deserves the most praise and can keep things where they were so we can significantly acknowledge how vast is God`s wisdom (Isaiah. 40: 13 – 31).
Questions:
1. People can be as confused as Habakkuk about God in the world. Perhaps, for others, it will be until they die. Imagine how an unbeliever or even a believer would feel when asked to read from the first few lines in Hab. 1: 1- 4.
A. Assuming you never read and knew how the story in the book of Habakkuk ended, discuss whether a believer or unbeliever would feel excited about God after reading Hab. 1: 1- 4, what are the chances he will proceed to read the whole book.
B. In Hab. 1: 3 – 4, Habakkuk lamented the absence of justice that he could not understand why God tolerate evil and forced him to look at injustice.
I. What does Habakkuk mean when he said that God tolerate evil?
II. Explain the prophet`s concern that God allow him to look at injustice.
III. Discuss evil or injustice you see that you don`t like yet must live with
2. Ephesians 1: 15 – 23 run parallel in terms of spiritual understanding the Book of Habakkuk and serves as a blueprint for believers to be grounded in practical relationship with God.
A. In view of Ephe. 1: 15 -23, explain the three objects of knowledge that should help us to see Christ and encourage us know God and know how to live for him.
B. In the mystery of understanding God, Paul refers to biblical usage of heart and eye.
I. How do you understand heart and eye, what does Paul want the Ephesians to know?
II. Assuming Habakkuk understands Paul`s usage of heart and eye, what interchange do you think Habakkuk should have with God considering God`s response to him in Hab.1: 5 – 6; 7–11.
3. According to 1 Cor. 1: 19 – 24, Paul presented Christ as the “Wisdom of God.” Comment on what he means.
A. How does Ephe. 1: 3–9 expresses the heartbeat of God about our salvation that should help you understand the complexities of what God wanted Habakkuk to be assured of in Hab. 2: 1– 4.
B. Clarify how the phrase “station myself” in Hab. 2: 1 (ESV) describes Habakkuk`s attempt?
4. Considering the context, what`s the implication of the statement, “The righteous shall live by faith” according to Hab. 2: 4.
A. Read Roman 1: 17, Gal. 2: 15 -16, and explain how Paul develop the concept of faith. What truth has he shown concerning what faith guaranteed.
B. Discuss to provide context of the story in Mark 4: 35 – 41(NIV), how is faith applied. To put it differently, why did Jesus question their faith.
C. Education, internet, and a few other things like the reality about Heaven and Hell have caused a drop in the Western part of the world about the Christian faith. Explain what the text in 1 Corinth 2: 1-2 and John 20: 27-31 seek to promote.
5. People have adopted the concept that life can be complex. So far studied, do you think they are right according to Habakkuk. In other words, does studying the bible offer insight into something or gives you some reasons to feel differently? Discuss
A. What does Habakkuk`s opening question in Hab.1: 12 reveals, and what do you recognized that suggest being the starting place for understanding God?
B. What understanding and assurance do you find during this study that God will deal with those who do evil and provide for those who suffer from injustice.