Habakkuk: The Prophets Praise Hab. 3.16-19

Review and Overview
1 Segway
& Habakkuk
Though the Awana teams went to Summit without me,
Though I am not at New Life Ranch,
Though it rained yesterday while the Clements mowed,
Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord.
2 Background
A. Title - “an oracle” that was “a burden” (1:1)
B. Timing Manasseh, Josiah, or Jehoiakim
1. Clues (1:2, 5, 6 & 3:19)
1.5 a work, which you will not believe…utterly astounding...
1.6 Chaleans, which marches through the breadth of the earth
3.19 To the chief Musician.
p Geography and History of Habakkuk’s Time
620 BC—Babylon (Chaldeans) becomes independent
612 BC—Babylonians and Medes destroy Nineveh
609 BC—Babylonians defeat the Assyrians at Haran
605 BC—Babylonians defeat Necho II of Egypt at Carchemish
605 BC—Jerusalem defeated and exile begins (Daniel)
597 BC—Jerusalem defeated (Ezekiel probably taken Ez 1.2)
588-86 BC—Jerusalem burned & temple
2. Early in the Babylonian rise to power (625-612 BC)

p C. Overview of Habakkuk series
1.1-11 “The Prophet’s Plea” -
1st prayer & God’s response
------------------------------
1.12-2.4 “The Prophet’s Puzzle” -
2nd prayer & God’s response
------------------------------
2.5-20 “Prophet’s Pronouncement” -
The five “woes” pronounced
-------------------------------
3.1-16 “The Prophet’s Prayer” -
Prayer in response to God
-------------------------------
3.16-19 “The Prophet’s Praise” -
The chorus or closing hymn


D. Review
1.
p 1.1-11 “The Prophet’s Plea”
1st prayer and God’s response
Habakkuk: Why don’t You do something about Judah’s wickedness? (2-4)
God: I am going to use the Chaldeans to punish Judah.
(5-11)

!
"Q" by verse 1-
Underline "how long shall I cry for help" v. 2
"A" by verse 5 -
Underline "I am raising up the Chaldeans" v. 6

p Application: Acts 13.40-41“Beware therefore”
Paul uses Habakkuk to warn against presumption and complacency.

2.
p 1.12-2.4 “The Prophet’s Puzzle”
2nd prayer and response
Habakkuk: Why do You look and hold Your tongue?
God: The appointed time is coming. The Just shall live by faith.

!
"Q" by verse 1.12
Underline "Why do you … hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he. v. 1.13
"A" by verse 2.2
Underline "The just shall live by faith." v. 2.4

p Application: “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38

3.
p 2.5-20 “Prophet’s Pronouncement” The five “woes” pronounced
! Circle the word "Woe" in verses
Woe #1 - Ambition v. 6
Woe #2 - Greed v. 9
Woe #3 - Violence v. 12
Woe #4 - Contempt for others v. 15
Woe #5 – Idolatry/Self trust v. 19

p Application: God will certainly punish the sins of unbelief and pride.
Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!” Micah 1:5 & 7 (KJV)


4.
p
3.1-15 “The Prophet’s Prayer”
Prayer in response to God
---------------------------------
A. The Display of God's Glory 3-6
B. The Demonstration of God's Wrath 7-11
C. The Deliverance of God's People 12-15
!
Note that: v. 1-6 3rd person
v. 7 1st person
v. 8-15 2nd person
"Selah" in verses 3, 9, & 13
p Application:
The God Who worked in history is not finished.
Live confident of the ending. - Hebrews 10:35-38

5.
p
p3.16-19 “The Prophet’s Praise”
The chorus or closing hymn
--------------------------------------------
Habakkuk's hymn teaches four imperatives of faith...

I. Respect the Lord
II. Rest in the Lord
III. Rejoice in the Lord
IV. Rely on the Lord

p Big Idea:
Faith looks to the Lord even in spite of circumstances.
Stand, Read text, 17-19 in unison from the screen

& Habakkuk 3:1-16 (nkjv)

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth.
2 O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman,
The Holy One from Mount Paran.
Selah

His glory covered the heavens,
And the earth was full of His praise.
4 His brightness was like the light;
He had rays flashing from His hand,
And there His power was hidden.
5 Before Him went pestilence,
And fever followed at His feet.
6 He stood and measured the earth;
He looked and startled the nations.
And the everlasting mountains were scattered,
The perpetual hills bowed.
His ways are everlasting.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
The curtains of the land of Midian trembled.
8 O LORD, were You displeased with the rivers,
Was Your anger against the rivers,
Was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
Your chariots of salvation?
9 Your bow was made quite ready;
Oaths were sworn over Your arrows.
Selah

You divided the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw You and trembled; The overflowing of the water passed by. The deep uttered its voice, And lifted its hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation; At the light of Your arrows they went, At the shining of Your glittering spear. 12 You marched through the land in indignation; You trampled the nations in anger. 13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For salvation with Your Anointed. You struck the head from the house of the wicked, By laying bare from foundation to neck.
Selah
14 You thrust through with his own arrows The head of his villages. They came out like a whirlwind to scatter me; Their rejoicing was like feasting on the poor in secret. 15 You walked through the sea with Your horses, Through the heap of great waters.

Habakkuk 3
Response to who God is
16 When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops.
Read in unison from the overhead...
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.



p 1. Respect the Lord. verse 3.16a

16a
16 When I heard, my body trembled; b My lips quivered at the voice; c Rottenness entered my bones; d And I trembled in myself,
The alarm pervades the whole body, belly, and bones, i.e. the softer and firmer component parts of the body; lives and feet, i.e. the upper and lower organs of the body.
——C.F. Keil in the Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes

A. a body trembled
my body
...it is used figuratively of the innermost thoughts and motives of man.
Ylt, kjv—belly trembleth; nasb—inward parts; nkjv, esv--body trembled(es); niv--heart pounded; nlt—trembled inside;
בטן St# 0990 TWOT - 236a beten beh'-ten--belly, abdomen 1. as seat of hunger 2. as seat of mental faculties 3. of depth of Sheol (fig.)
trembled
רגז St#07264 TWOT - 2112 ragaz raw-gaza-- (Qal) to quake, be disquieted, be excited, be perturbed
Prov 18.8
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

"...that sinking feeling in the pit of your tummy when some crises faced you or you came to some place in life where there was a great emergency?" —Through the Bible with J.Vernon McGee
B. lips quivered
"...so frightened that you couldn't speak."
—Through the Bible with J.Vernon McGee

C. Rottenness entered my bones
c Rottenness bqr St#H7538 TWOT-2213a Raqab raw-kawb' rottenness, decay (always fig)

...takes away all the firmness of the body.
——C.F. Keil in the Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes
"...That means he couldn't stand up—he had to hold on to something." —Through the Bible with J.Vernon McGee

Proverbs 12
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 14
30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

D. I trembled in myself
This is reminiscent of King Belshazzer when he saw the hand writing on the wall.
Daniel 5
5 In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.

· Job
Job 40 after God spoke to Job the first time...
1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said:
2 “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”
Job’s Response to God
3 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
4 “ Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth.
5 Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

· Isaiah
Isaiah 6
5 So I said: “ Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.”

· John
Revelation 1
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, …
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

"Reverence and awe have often been replaced by a yawn of familiarity. The consuming fire has been domesticated into a candle flame … We prefer the illusion of a safer deity and so we have pared God down to a manageable proportions."
—Donald McCullough in The Trivialisation of God

p Application:

"fear of the Lord" 30 x's in the kjv

Proverbs 9.10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
2. Rest in the Lord. verse 3.16B
e That I might rest in the day of trouble. f When He comes up to the people, g He will invade them with his troops.


A. The Fear of the Lord put Habakkuk's heart at ease in the face of uncertain times.
e rest in
ylt--rest for; kjv, nkjv—rest in; nasb—wait quietly for; esv—I will quietly wait quiet for; niv, nlt—wait for (quietly, patiently) asv—because I must wait
xwn St# 5117 TWOT – 1323 Nuwach noo'-akh--to rest (Qal) to rest,
settle down and remain; to repose, have rest, be quiet
not to rest in the grave (Luther and others),
nor to bear quietly or endure (Ges., Maurer),
but to wait quietly or silently.
——C.F. Keil in the Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes


B. A coming time of trouble described.
f When He comes up to the people, g He will invade them with his troops.
The nasb has the Chaldeans coming to invade Judah in view.
nasb—for the people to arise who will invade us.
————————————————
The kjv and nkjv do a good job of translating the ambiguity of the Hebrew phrase.
kjv—when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops
nkjv—when he comes up to the people, he will invade them with his troops.
———————————————
The esv and niv understand the phrase to refer to God punishing the Chaldeans.
esv—the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.
niv—the day of the calamity to come on the nation invading us


(ylt—at the coming up of the people, he overcometh it.)
"Even in the midst of absolute ruin and abject famine (which came when the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, Lam. 2:12, 20, 4.4, 9-10; 5.17-18), the prophet was prepared to trust in God. He realized that inner peace did not depend on outward prosperity."
——Ron Blue in The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Application:
The Lord gives rest to those who focus on Him.

Psalm 94
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct,
O Lord, And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

2 Corinthians 4
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

p 3. Rejoice in the Lord. verse 17-18

17
a Though the fig tree may not blossom, b Nor fruit be on the vines; c Though the labor of the olive may fail, d And the fields yield no food; e Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, f And there be no herd in the stalls—
18
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

A. The desperate results of God's judgment.
The nouns used in this verse represent the bases of Israel's agricultural economy. Her prosperity was dependent on the nation's obedience to the covenant and on the Lord's consequent blessings. Such prosperity was forfeited by disobedience and disloyalty to the covenant, which was incurred the Lord's chastening through natural and military disasters (Lev 26:14-33; Deut 28.16-17, 22-24; 30-31, 38-42…)
——Carl Armerding in the Expositor's Commentary

& Deuteronomy 28
15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

30 “You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes. 31 Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, but you shall not eat of it; your donkey shall be violently taken away from before you, and shall not be restored to you; your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have no one to rescue them. 32 Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all day long; and there shall be no strength in your hand. 33 A nation whom you have not known shall eat the fruit of your land and the produce of your labor, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually. 34 So you shall be driven mad because of the sight which your eyes see. 35 The LORD will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head. 36 “The LORD will bring you and the king whom you set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods—wood and stone. 37 And you shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the LORD will drive you. 38 “You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. 39 You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. 41 You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity. 42 Locusts shall consume all your trees and the produce of your land.

A. Fig tree not blossom, no fruit on vines.1. Dried fruit was an important part of winter food.2. Figs and raisins were two of the main fruits dried.3. No grapes no wine to drink. B. The labor of the olive shall fail.1. From the olive they derived their cooking oil.2. They also could preserve them.3. The land abounds with olive trees.
c labor
ylt—work; kjv—labor; nasb—yield; esv—produce; niv, nlt—crop;
hX[m St#4639 TWOT - 1708a Ma`aseh mah-as-eh' --deed, work, thing done, act, business, undertaking, enterprise, thing made

fail
Xxk St# 3584 TWOT – 975 Kachash kä·khash' (Piel) to deceive, deny falsely; to act deceptively; to cringe; to disappoint, fail
C. The field shall yield no grain.1. The grain crops were basic.2. The grain easily stored. 3. Bread was their true staff of life. D. The flock be cut off from the fold.1. Everyone had their own flock of goats and sheep.2. Even to the present day the size of the flocks is the measure of the Bedouin's wealth.
!ac St#H6629 TWOT-1864a Tso'n tsone—small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks

cut off from the fold gâzar "to be cut off or absent"

Folds and stalls are empty in consequence of the devastation or the land by the hostile troops and their depredations; "a prophetic picture of the devastation of the holy by the Chaldean war" (Delitzsch) E. No herd in the stalls.1. This just about completes the picture.2. Without the goats and cows no milk.
Lamentations 2. Jeremiah records the results of the invasion.
11 My eyes fail with tears, My heart is troubled; My bile is poured on the ground Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the children and the infants Faint in the streets of the city. 12 They say to their mothers,
“ Where is grain and wine?” As they swoon like the wounded In the streets of the city, As their life is poured out In their mothers’ bosom.

B. Rejoicing and shouting for the God of my salvation. v. 18
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

"It is right and proper to voice appreciation of God's goodness when he bestows all that is necessary for life, health, and prosperity. But when these things are lacking to rejoice in God for his own sake is evidence of pure faith." ——F.F. Bruce in The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expositional Commentary

Deuteronomy 30:1-10 promises restoration after the dispersion
"Even though the prophet felt weak physically, he was strong in faith spiritually." ——Thomas Constable

rejoice
zl[ St#5937 TWOT - 1625 (16 x’s) `alaz ä·laz'--(Qal) to exult, rejoice, triumph

joy /C.F. Keil translates this "shout"
lyg St#1523 TWOT – 346 Giyl ghēl --(Qal) to rejoice; to tremble (from fear)

& God of my salvation

Psalm 1846 The LORD lives!Blessed be my Rock!Let the God of my salvation be exalted.47 It is God who avenges me,And subdues the peoples under me;48 He delivers me from my enemies.You also lift me up above those who rise against me;You have delivered me from the violent man.49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,And sing praises to Your name.
Psalm 252 O my God, I trust in You;Let me not be ashamed;Let not my enemies triumph over me.3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;Teach me Your paths.5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,For You are the God of my salvation;On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 279 Do not hide Your face from me;Do not turn Your servant away in anger;You have been my help;Do not leave me nor forsake me,O God of my salvation.10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.Psalm 51 A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,The God of my salvation,And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips,And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.Psalm 88 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.1 O LORD, God of my salvation,I have cried out day and night before You.2 Let my prayer come before You;Incline Your ear to my cry.3 For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave.4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit;I am like a man who has no strength,7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah Micah 76 For son dishonors father,Daughter rises against her mother,Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.7 Therefore I will look to the LORD;I will wait for the God of my salvation;My God will hear me.Distress is a common theme in the psalms, so I don't want to make too much of this, but it is interesting that a feeling of guilt and despair over sin (psalm 51 & 88), concern about enemies (18 & 25), or even fear of desertion by family (Psalm 27 & Micah 7) surround this title for God, "the God of my salvation." This title for God does not seem to express some lofty soteriological proclamation, but rather the gritty, real life urgency for God to intervene in the here and now.As Habakkuk anticipates the coming judgment on Judah and Jerusalem by the fierce Chaldean hoard, he uses this title in his closing prayer of faith. The title is like a prayer in itself. It is designed to express reliance on and hope in God to save.




p Application:Anybody can say, "The Lord gave" or "The Lord has taken away" but it takes real faith to say in the midst of sorrow and suffering, "Blessed be the name of the Lord.
—Warren Wiersbe commenting on Job
"Am I thankful to God regardless of what He gives or withholds?" ——David C. McCasland in Our Daily Bread

Faith blesses God even when He takes away.

Job 1:20-21
20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

p 4. Rely on the Lord. verse 19
19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

A. strength
lyx St# H2428 TWOT-624a Chayil (khah'-yil ) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army used 100 x's in the sense of an army (of 243)

"This is the ultimate reason, from our standpoint, why God fills our lives with troubles and perplexities of one sort and another—it is to ensure that we shall learn to held Him fast"
——J.I. Packer in Knowing God

2 Corinthians 12
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

These expressions are in the context of war and soldiering in the parallel passages of Psa. 18 and 2 Samuel 22.

Psalm 18
31 For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

2 Samuel 22
32 “For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?
33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.


B. deer’s feet
ykt—hinds; kjv, nasb--hinds feet; nkjv—deer’s feet; esv—feet like the deer’s; niv--feet like the feet of a deer; nlt—surefooted as a deer;

"...the reference is to the swiftness of foot, which was one of the qualifications of a thorough man of war 2 Sam. i.23; 1 Chron. xxii.8), so as to enable him to make a sudden attack upon the enemy, and pursue him vigorously. Here it is a figurative expression for the fresh and joyous strength acquired in God."
——C.F. Keil in the Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes

I Chronicles 12.8
Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:

C. my high hills.
The “high places” are called “mine,” to imply that Israel shall be restored to his own land, a land of hills which are places of safety and of eminence (compare Ge 19:17; Mt 24:16). Probably not only the safety, but the moral elevation, of Israel above all the lands of the earth is implied (De 33:29).
——A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

We shall be successful in our spiritual enterprises: "He will make me to walk upon my high places; that is, I shall gain my point, shall be restored unto my own land, and tread upon the high places of the enemy,’’ Deu. 32:13; 33:29
——Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume

Deut 32.
13 “He made him [Jacob] ride in the heights of the earth, That he might eat the produce of the fields; He made him draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock;
Deut. 33
29 Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.”
p Application:
God can be trusted to do what is right.
Faith justifies us. Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Faith frees us. Galatians 3:10-12
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Faith preserves us. Hebrews 10:38-39
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “ For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

—————————



Psalm 73
21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
——————————————————————

Prayer:
Our Father, thank you for this revelation of the great truth we find running throughout the Scriptures, that you are the God of history. No event takes place but that is in your program and all things are moving in relationship to your divine kingdom. What you have said will occur will occur, and the record of the past corroborates it, and all the twistings and maneuverings of men will not prevent it. Lord, help us to lift our eyes to you in the midst of our problems and remember the God of our salvation, the God who is our strength, and thus find the answer right in the midst of affliction. We ask that you will make us to live this way -- not somehow, but triumphantly. We ask in Christ's name. Amen.

—-Ray Steadman

Title: Habakkuk: History is in God's HandsBy: Ray C. StedmanSeries: Adventuring through the BibleScripture: HabakkukDate: August 28, 1966
Copyright © 1966 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church.
http://www.pbc.org/files/messages/3142/0235.html









I. Saved by faith - Faith Justifies Us. Romans 1.16-17
1. Context: Paul had just emphasized his desire to preach and his confidence in/boldness about the gospel because it was the power of God to salvation.
2. “Righteousness of God” in the sense of being the righteousness that belongs to or comes from God.
3. God’s righteousness, his justification comes to us through faith. Rom. 5.1 Therefore, having been justified by faith…
4. “faith to faith” - like translated in the NIV 1.17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” It is faith from the beginning to faith at the end.
5. Faith is the condition of salvation. This was the great truth that Martin Luther discovered in this passage that helped move him from confidence in his works to faith in Christ’s work alone.
6. "He saith not, from faith to works, or from works to faith; but from faith to faith, i.e. only by faith." (Poole)
7. "Perhaps what it conveys is the necessity of issuing a reminder to the believer that justifying faith is only the beginning of the Christians life. The same attitude must govern him in his continuing experience as a child of God." (Harrison)
Transitional Statement: This is an "echo" of Paul's message in Galatians 3.




II. Living by faith - Faith frees Us (from the law). Galatians 3.10-12
1. Context: Galatians were saved by faith, but the Judizers were trying to persuade them to live the Christian life of sanctification by keeping the laws. Paul just reminded them that those who are living under the law are under a curse because they cannot keep all the law.
2. v. 10 alludes to Deuteronomy 27.26. The problem with trying to keep the law is that we can not do it all perfectly.
3. Paul’s point here is that we continue in our Christian faith the same way that we started it—by faith, dependence on the Lord.
4.
Transitional Statement: It is also important to continue in our walk of faith to the end.



III. Finishing by faith - Faith Preserves Us. Hebrews 10.35-38
1. Context: Paul tells them to remember when they were “enduring a great struggle with sufferings”, and he wanted to encourage them to continue to hold onto “the promise.”
2. Draw on your past experience to gain strength to endure for the future.
3. Look toward the future reward to be your consolation and give you patience like Moses. Hebrews 11:
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
4. v. 36 endurance nkjv (or patience av) 5281 ὑπομονή [hupomone /hoop·om·on·ay/] n “abiding through”—patience--Greek, "waiting endurance," or "enduring perseverance": the kindred Greek verb in the Septuagint, Habakkuk 2:3, is translated, "wait for it" (compare James 5:7).
5. Similar idea (different Greek word) to Hebrews 12.1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance [or patience] the race that is set before us,

Sat 090418 pm 2 Chr 25

2 Chronicles 25

25.2 did what what right in the eyes of the Lord
25.3 As soon as the royal power was firmly in his hand he... Prudence and timing.
25.11 I wonder why they attacked the men of Seir.
25.13 The borders during this time seem to be a little fluid, so I am not sure why Sameria to Beth-horon were considered cities of Judah.
25.15 Great question. answer: Shut up before I kill you. So, I wonder what possessed him to worship the gods of Edom.
26.16 How does this square with verse 2?
26.27 I hope that God does not let me live that long. It is my constant prayer that He would take me home before I do something to bring great shame to Him.

the God of my Salvation

Psalm 18
46 The LORD lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 It is God who avenges me,
And subdues the peoples under me;
48 He delivers me from my enemies.
You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.

Psalm 25
2 O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Psalm 27
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.

Psalm 51 A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.


Psalm 88 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.
1 O LORD, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.
2 Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry.
3 For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life draws near to the grave.
4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man who has no strength,
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah

Micah 7
6 For son dishonors father,
Daughter rises against her mother,
Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
7 Therefore I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me.

Distress is a common theme in the psalms, so I don't want to make too much of this, but it is interesting that a feeling of guilt and despair over sin (psalm 51 & 88), concern about enemies (18 & 25), or even fear of desertion by family (Psalm 27 & Micah 7) surround this title for God, "the God of my salvation." This title for God does not seem to express some lofty soteriological proclamation, but rather the gritty, real life urgency for God to intervene in the here and now.

As Habakkuk anticipates the coming judgement on Judah and Jerusalem by the fierce Chaldean hoard, he uses this title in his closing prayer of faith.

Habakkuk 3
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength...

Fri 090417 pm Jn 8 Acts 16 1Pt 1 Jn 2Chr 24

John 8

8.11 ...sin no more...
8.16 ...if... It would be good to look up what kind of conditional clause that it.
8.29 I always... I would like to say that.
8.32 ...we have never been enslaved... What could they possibly mean by this? especially as a Roman province. Pat is fond of saying something like You pick your master, but everybody has one.
8.41 They seem to think that because they were not born illegitimately, their father is God.
8.48 I can't help but wonder if this verse weren't in the back of Jesus' mind when he told the parable of the good Samaritan. :o)
8.59 They picked up stones to stone Him. They seemed to have a pretty clear idea of what He was saying about Himself.

Chrysostom in Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles 4

...For wherever the Holy Spirit is present, people of clay are changed into people of gold.

Acts 16

16.3 As strongly as Paul spoke against the Judaizers and the "mutilation of the flesh," it is both curious and instructive that Paul had Timothy circumcised.
16.8 they went
16.10 we sought
16.18 ...and Paul having become greatly annoyed... It set my mind to wondering to thing that being annoyed would be the motivation for "healing" someone.
16.25 I can imagine an album, "Songs from Philippi" or "Paul's Prison Favorites" if it were today. :o)

1 Peter 1

1.12 ...things into which angels long to look. You tend to think of angels as being almost omniscient. What a privilege we have.
1.22 Having purified your souls by obedience t the truth... the purifying effects of obedience.

John 20

20.22 receive the Holy Spirit...
20.25 unless I see... I am concerned about what one statement of mine will characterize me and what people will remember me by.

Cyril of Alexandria in Commentary on the Gospel of St. John 12.1

When Christ greeted his holy disciples with the words, "Peace be with you," by peace He meant Himself, for Christ's presence always brings tranquility of soul. This is the grace Saint Paul desired for believers when he wrote, "The Peace of Christ which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds." The peace of Christ which passes all understanding is in fact the Spirit of Christ, who fills those who share in him with every blessing.

2 Chronicles 24

24.1 Joash was seven years old ...
24.2 and Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada... 1. What an amazing thing for Jehoiada did for Joash and the country. 2. How sad that Joash had so little spiritual fortitude and went bad after Jehoiada.
24.9 to bring in for the Lord the tax... an interesting word for what is called a tithe.
24.15 130 years...
24.22 May the Lord see and avenge. This is a little different than the "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

Thurs 090416 pm Jn 7 2 Chr 23

John 7

7.3 I wonder what disciples Jesus' brothers had in mind.
7.24 Do not judge by appearance. But that means that you actually have to get to know someone and understand them first. Sounds long and tedious.
7.39 I don't know that I have thought much about Jesus being glorified as a reason for the coming of the Spirit. It seems that it has more significance than just His being gone from earth.
7.43 there was division over Him... and there still is.
7.51 Nicodemus was a pretty good guy.

2 Chronicles 23

23.1 Jehoada took courage...
23.14 Why not in the house of the Lord if God was behind it. Something to think about.


2 Chronicles 24
24.

Wed 090415 pm Hab 1-3 Jn 6 2Chr 22

Habakkuk 1

1.1-4 Habakkuk's question
1.5-11The Lord's answer
1.12-2.1 Habakkuk's follow up question
1.13 This is probably one of the more poorly exposited verses when used as a proof text and is my reminder to be careful when working on a topical study.

Habakkuk 2

2.2-20 The Lord's final answer:
2.3 the vision a loaded word
2.4 also in Rom 1.17; Gal 3.11; Heb 10.38-39
2.6 Woe
2.9 Woe
2.12 Woe
2.15 Woe
2.18 idol ... Woe in 19

Habakkuk 3

3.1-15 Look at who I am.
3.17-19 Habakkuk's final response and statement of faith.

John 6

6.11 ...had given thanks...
6.12 that nothing may be lost. thriftiness
6.27 laboring for food and endures and God the Father has set His seal on... is an interesting combination of descriptions. Sealed and hungry for spiritual food.
6.38 That pretty well nails down the struggle for us.
6.58 live because of Me... Christ made my life possible and gives me something to live for.
6.70 I wonder what the disciples thought when Jesus said this.
6.71 Two chapters for the price of one.

2 Chronicles 22

22.3-4 A mother's day message text?

22.7 ordained by God The Lord knows how to reserve the wicked for judgement.

22.10 My, o my, what a sweet grandma!

2 Chronicles 23

23.3 houses of Israel I have a difficult time figuring out who all is meant by Israel.

23.11 It doesn't seem that happens much anymore. Maybe our presidents should read from it on just swearon it.

Tues 090414 am Acts 7 - 2 Chr 21

Acts 7
7.25 Am I ready for God to go to work?
7.39 in their hearts hey turned back to Egypt That was sad.
7.41 One idol is rushing ahead of God's plan.
7.51 uncircumcised in their hearts
7.53 have not kept it
7.55 full of the Spirit


2 Chronicles 21
21.4 Now that was cold.
21.6 It is always sad to read this dismal commentary on a king's rule.
21.16 and the Lord stirred up
21.19 What a crummy way to go and how sad that nobody really cared when he died.

Mon 090413 pm 2 Chr 16-20 & Phil 2

Philippians 2

2.6 & 8 The whole idea of being THE boss and a servant at the same time is one of the wonders of the Christian experience.
2.12 work out your salvation with fear and trembling Fear and trembling seems to be a little stronger than reverential awe. This is promising phrase to mull over.
2.2.17-18 Paul
2.19-24 Timothy
2.25-30 Epaphroditus
That is the list I want to be on.

2 Chronicles 16

16.1 Ramah - A city in the territory of Benjamin named between Gibeon and Beeroth --ISBE
16.9 those whose heart is blameless toward him also... One of my favorite verses.

2 Chronicles 17

17.3 The Lord was with him...
17.3-4 did not seek the Baals, but sought God... The word seek being applied to both Baals and the Lord raises interesting things to think about. What does it mean to seek in that sense.
17.7 he sent his officials... Teaching the people seems to have been important part of the righteous bent of the nation at this time.

2 Chronicles 18

18.2 I have never understood why Jehoshaphat would be so cozy with Ahab. It was probably for some political advantage.
18.13 Go Micaiah!! It would be cool the have the Word of the Lord and the courage to tell it like it is like Micaiah did. People should name their sons after him.
18.24 There has to be some kind of idiom or inside story to this verse.
18.25 The governor of Samaria in the time of Ahab. The prophet Micaiah was put in his custody (1 Kings 22:26; 2 Chr. 18:25). ---WebBible Encyclopedia
18.29 This seems just a bit suspicious. Surely Jehoshahat would have know something was odd. I wonder if this ever happened before.

2 Chronicles 19

19.8 give judgement for the Lord...
19.9 do in the fear of the Lord
in faithfulness or truth
with our whole heart Interesting since we always thing of justice being impartial and not involving the heart.
19.10 warn them that they may not incur guilt before the Lord

2 Chronicles 20

20.2 hazazon-tamar (Engedi) - a place in the wilderness of Judah (Josh. 15:62), on the western shore of the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47:10) ---WebBible Encyclopedia
20. 9 Reminds me of Solomon's prayer to dedicate the temple.
20.12 our eyes are on You. Great conclusion to a good prayer.
20.26 Valley of Beracah - It has been identified with the valley of Bereikut. (R.V., “Beracah.”) ---WebBible Encyclopedia
20.35 I still don't understand why he did that.

Sun 090412 pm 2 Chr 11-15

2 Chronicles 11

11.15 and he appointed his own priests... makes you wonder who he was really worshipping.
11.21 Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and concubines... I sure that went over good. :0) I wonder if there was any "politics" going on there.

2 Chronicles 12

12.1 he was strong, he abandoned the law of God... I hope I never get that strong.
12.2 Sheshonk or Sheshenq I, as he is called on the monuments, the founder of the XXIInd Dynasty, was in all probability of Libyan origin. ISBE
12.2 sukkiim - The identification is uncertain. ISBE
12.8 ...that they may know My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. Pat Bartlet reminded us that we can pick our master, but we all have one.
12.14 for he did not seek the Lord... If we don't intentionally seek the Lord we will go down the tubes spiritually like "Reh" did.

2 Chronicles 13

13.4 Mt. Zemaraim - A mount in the highlands of Ephraim, to the north of Jerusalem --WebEncyclopedia; It is usual to identify it with es-Samra, a ruin about 4 miles North of Jericho. Mt. Zemaraim probably derived its name from the city, and must be sought in the neighborhood. --ISBE
13.8-12 Great speech
13.13 While Abijah talked Reheboam maneuvered.

2 Chronicles 14

14.4 and commanded Judah to seek the Lord How do you command someone to do that? I see how you can make them follow laws and "go to church," but to seek Him?
14.10 Mareshah - a city in the plain of Judah --Bible Encyclopedia
14.14 Gerar - A town in the Philistine plain South of Gaza ... The place has not been fully identified, but the site is probably in one of the branches of Wady Sheri`a, at a place called Um Jerrar, near the coast Southwest of Gaza and 9 miles from it (SWP, III, 3815.89-90). --ISBE

2 Chronicles 15

15.3-6 What is refered to here? Who? When?
15.8 detestable idols
15.17 but the high places were not taken down out of Israel. It is interesting to me that this seems to imply that he should have gone into the northern kingdom to remove the high places.