The Book of Habakkuk: Outline
* Title (1:1)
* Habakkuk's First Complaint: Why does the evil in Judah go unpunished? (1:2:4)
* God's Answer: The Babylonians will punish Judah (1:5:11)
* Habakkuk's Second Complaint: How can a just God use wicked Babylonia to punish a people more righteous than themselves? (1:12:2:1)
* God's Answer: Babylonia will be punished, and faith will be rewarded (2:2:20)
* Habakkuk's Prayer: After asking for manifestations of God's wrath and mercy (as he has seen in the past), he closes with a confession of trust and joy in God (ch. 3)
(outline taken from Study bible )
About the Prophet
Habakkuk was a very unknown prophet in the biblical world. There's no written evidence about where he lived, who his family was, how old he was, or when exactly he lived. The best guess that scholars have, is that he lived around 612 b.c. They also have guessed that he lived with the tribe of levi, or the levites, and from that we can conclude that he possibly sang in the temple of Solomon. They believe he lived in Jerusalem. He was the 8th of the twelve minor prophets. We don't know what his name means exactly. Some think it means 'embrace'. This would go along with the story, because at the end of the book Habakkuk chooses to embrace God regardless of his nations fate. The book of Habakkuk is different from other prophecies, because instead of God giving complaints to him to tell the people, the people gave Habakkuk complaints and Habakkuk boldy called God out on them. He is perplexed by what is happening around him, and he struggles with understanding why God would do this to his people. He recieves some confusing answers that he struggles with, but never the less strengthens faith in God.
Favorite Habakkuk quote
-"O LORD, how long shall I cry, and you will not hear! even cry out to you of violence, and you will not save!"
American King James version Bible
