Habakkuk - TheologyCommons/Bible.Outline GitHub Wiki
HABAKKUK 1-3
Habakkuk searches for answers to two questions and is reassured by God.
THE SEARCH (1:1-2:13, 15-20):
Habakkuk asks God two questions.
The first Q&A (1:1-11)
Q: Will Judah be punished? (1:1-4):
Habakkuk is troubled over:
Jehovah's silence (1:1-2):
Habakkuk's prayers about the terrible violence in the land have gone unanswered.
Judah's sins (1:3-4):
There is destruction, violence, arguing, fighting, and injustice everywhere.
A: Judah will be punished (1:5-11).
The soldiers (1:5-6):
God will send the Babylonians to chasten his people.
The severity (1:7):
These warriors are notorious for their cruelty.
The symbols (1:8-9):
Their soldiers are like
####### Swift leopards (1:8a)
####### Fierce wolves (1:8b)
####### Devouring eagles (1:8c-9)
The scorn (1:10-11):
They laugh at their enemies, holding them in great contempt.
The second Q&A (1:12-17; 2:1-13, 15-20)
Q: Will Babylon be punished? (1:12-17):
Babylon is even more wicked than Judah.
A: Babylon will be punished (2:1-13, 15-20).
The record (2:1-2):
God tells Habakkuk to write the answer on a tablet in large, clear letters so that everyone can get the message.
The reassurance (2:3):
Even though it might appear that God is delaying judgment, Babylon will eventually be crushed.
The righteous (2:4):
Until then, those in exile should live by faith.
The reasons (2:5-13, 15-19):
God will judge Babylon for her many sins:
####### Drunkenness and greed (2:5)
####### Brutal treatment of the nations (2:6)
####### The shedding of blood (2:7-13)
####### Being merchants of terror (2:15-16)
####### Destroying other lands (2:17)
####### Gross idolatry (2:18-19)
The respect (2:20):
"The LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him."
THE SOLUTION (2:14; 3:1-19): Habakkuk is reassured.
Because of what he has heard (2:14; 3:1-2)
About God's fame and deeds (3:1-2)
About the entire earth someday being filled with God's glory (2:14)
Because of what he now sees (3:3-19):
In essence, he views the majesty of the Almighty moving across the earth.
God's splendor (3:3-4):
His glory is as the sunrise. "Rays of brilliant light flash from his hands."
God's strength (3:5-12, 14-15)
He judges with pestilence and plague (3:5).
He shakes the nations, shatters the mountains, and levels the hills (3:6).
He utterly crushes his enemies (3:7-12, 14-15).
God's salvation (3:13):
He delivers his chosen people.
God's security (3:16-19):
Because of all he has seen, heard, and experienced, Habakkuk determines that he will: