FOUNTAIN OF FAITH BIBLE STUDY

REV. REGINALD B. NEWMAN

SENIOR PASTOR

JUNE 17, 2020

Habakkuk 3

Chapter 1The Problem - Doubt

Impatience

God, are You listening?

Violence

Come and save us!

Evil/Wickedness

The wicked outnumber the righteous.

Destruction

They are arguing and fighting all around me!

Corruption/ Injustice

There is no justice in the courts!

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Habakkuk is wrestling with his faith and complaining to God. He is on his knees praying.

When God replies, Habakkuk has a second complaint.

Are You serious? The Babylonians!

Chapter 2The Solution - Faith

Habakkuk changes position by climbing up to the watchtower

to wait on God’s reply. God instructs him to write the

divine vision.

Changes Position. Waits Expectantly. Demonstrates

great faith.

Write the vision and make it plain.

God is aware of what is going on in the

world. He has a plan.

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Patience Wait for God’sDirections

Be Ready

(woe) awaits thieves(woe)awaits those who covet(woe) awaits those who gain through corruption(woe) awaits those who cause their neighbors to be drunken(woe) awaits those who practice idolatry

Chapter 3Product - Praise

Habakkuk declares, in spite of all of the circumstances, he will praise God!

Worshipper Praise(r)

Believer Witness

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HABAKKUK 3PRAYER OF PRAISE

I. Habakkuk Praises God’s Person (1-3)

II. Habakkuk Praises God’s Power (4-7)

III. Habakkuk Praises God’s Purpose (8-15)

IV. Habakkuk decides to wait patiently (16)

V. Trials will come (17)

VI. We should have joy in the face of trials (18)

VII. The Lord gives strength to face trials (19)

I. Habakkuk Praises God’s Person (1-3)

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Shigionoth - Hebrew term referencing the content of a poem accompanied by instruments that fit the theme (with strong emotions) Ex. Psalm 7 – David’s Shiggaion

Revive thy work – God’s work is salvation.

In the midst of the years – Hebraism term meaning “between now and the end”

“Cut Your work short” – pledging for mercy and salvation

Matthew 24:22, Romans 9:28, Daniel 12:1

Teman – city or region in Edom to the east of Israel; not far from Mt. Sinai where the law was given

Paran – a mountain opposite Teman

Sun rises in the east.

Selah – pause, reflect, praise

Discussion Questions

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• How does Habakkuk respond to God’s answer?

• What can we learn from Habakkuk’s simple response?

• Why is it important that Habakkuk’s journey from doubt to faith ends in praise?

• When we return to the sanctuary, how will you return?

II. Habakkuk Praises God’s Power (4-7)

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Brightness – Light - as clear as the sun but more dazzling

Horns coming out of His hands – (NLT – Rays of light flash from His hands) - All power in His hands!

Before Him goes pestilence and plague after Him – (v 5)

God is watching. (v 6)

Fear and pain – The tents/dwellings/homes trembled. (v 7)

Psalm 127:1 - Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Discussion Questions

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• What does light represent in the Bible?

• In what ways does God hide His power? Why does He sometimes do this?

• Can you give any biblical examples of God causing plague or pestilence? What is the purpose of these events?

• How then should we react in the middle of natural disasters?

• In what ways can you see God’s power demonstrated in the world today?

• When we return to the sanctuary, how will you return?

III. Habakkuk Praises God’s Purpose (8-15)

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God is over nature and uses nature for His purposes.

God used the Red Sea.

God used mountains.

Selah- pause, reflect, and praise

Discussion Questions

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• What figurative language does Habakkuk use in this passage?

• What imagery is he brining to mind?

• What warning should we take from this?

• What can we learn from Habakkuk about the importance of having a conversation with God?

• When we return to the sanctuary, how will you return?

IV. Habakkuk decides to wait patiently (16)

V. Trials will come (17)

VI. We should have joy in the face of trials (18)

VII. The Lord gives strength to face trials (19)

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• NLT - … I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. (v 16)

• Habakkuk looked back upon experiences of the church in former ages and observed the great things that God had done for them.

• When we return to the sanctuary, how will you return?

• Deer are ungulates, or hoofed mammals. Their legs are well suited for running, whether chasing during the rut or evading danger. Deer also possess a great leaping ability. They bound swiftly across a dense forest or prairie, often jumping 8 feet into the air. The strong muscles of a deer’s hind legs provide most of the power for running and jumping. The front legs are ideal for pivoting, allowing a deer to make sharp turns. The top speed of the whitetail is about 35 miles per hour. Whitetails are also good swimmers.

• This verse is a reminder that God is able to help us do the impossible. Making our feet like hinds feet means he will equip us with what we need to bring us through the rough patch. Notice that it is only the hind that can climb those rocky terrains. This is because it has the right feet to climb.

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…He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and will make me to walk upon mine high places. (v 19)

VII. The Lord gives strength to face trials (19)

2 Samuel 22: 1, 22

1 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

34 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

David is praising God for what He (God) has done!

Habakkuk 3: 1, 19

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Habakkuk is praising God for what He (God) is going to do!

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…He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and will make me to walk upon mine high places. (v 19)

Homework – Read 2 Samuel 22

WHAT’S THE NAME OF OUR CHURCH?

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In the midst of this …

COVID 19,Coronavirus,Stay in the House,Wear a Mask,Wash your Hands,Toilet Paper Shortage,Unemployment,Stock Market Down,Locusts Invasion,Black Lives Matter,Protesting,Rioting,Looting,I Can’t Breathe,Tornado,Hailing,Tropical Storm, andMy Dog Ran Away

Pandemic Season

we can rejoice, because Babylon is coming down! (Revelation 18)

Babylon

Chapter 3 Summary

Praise the Lord!

Wait on the Lord!

God’s got it!

If He did it before, He’ll do it again!

We win!

Lessons from Habakkuk

• 1. The just must live by faith.

• 2. Although injustice exists, do not allow your concern to turn into doubting God.

• 3. God works in mysterious ways.

• 4. God hears and answers prayers.

• 5. God’s answer to our prayer requests may not align with our expectations.

• 6. Learn to rejoice in the Lord.

• 7. God is still in control of all things.

• 8. Evil is self-destructive.

• 9. Righteousness will ultimately prevail.

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FOUNTAIN OF FAITH

BIBLE STUDYREV. REGINALD B. NEWMAN

SENIOR PASTOR

JUNE 17, 2020

Habakkuk 3

References

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.bibletools.org/

The Complete Guide to the Bible, Miller, S. 2007

https://www.huntingnet.com/articles/deer-anatomy-legsfeet.html

https://www.iwritemedia.com/walking-with-hinds-feet/