Habakkuk
What is Bullock's subtitle for his section on Habakkuk?
HABAKKUK PROPHET OF TRANSITION
In what two wasps did Habakkuk watch?
Habakkuk's problem posed a dilemma, and since he did not know the way out of his predicament, he stood watch like a guard. He watched for the Babylonians while looking for a new word from the Lord (2: 1).
What is the majority opinion about the date of Habakkuk's prophecy?
However, the majority opinion in modern scholarship is a date in the latter part of Jehoiakim's reign, between 605 and 598 B.C. 26 The assumption behind this date is that the Chaldeans became the primary power in the Near East when they defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish in 605. At that point Chaldea became a credible force and a threat to Judah as well.
What did George Adam Smith observe about Habakkuk?
George Adam Smith has observed, and with some qualification we can agree, that in Habakkuk we find the beginning of speculation in Israel.
Why does it seem preferable to date Habakkuk's prophecy in the declining years of the Neo-Assyrian period?
A date in the declining years of the Neo-Assyrian period but before the rise of the Chaldeans seems preferable for two reasons. First, the Lord told the prophet and his compatriots that He was doing a work in "your days" (1: 5), the implication being that it would occur in their lifetime. Second, credibility was lacking when the prophecy was delivered (" You would not believe if you were told," 1: 6). Therefore, a date during the first decade of Josiah's reign would satisfy those qualifications.
What would violence in Judah meet?
Violence in Judah would meet the greater violence of the Babylonians. "Like" would be overcome by "like."
What is the ultimate stage of idolatry for a nation?
But a nation that had made power and success its god (1: 11) had advanced to the ultimate stage of idolatry. To turn human attributes and achievements into idols that are worshiped is the greatest defiance of the true and truly sovereign God.
How was Habakkuk's a new dimension in prophetic thought?
It was a new dimension of prophetic thought. The prophets had spoken to Israel about Yahweh's demands, but Habakkuk spoke to Yahweh about Judah's dilemma.
Which three leaders were proposed about the identity of the ruling authority / time of Habakkuk's prophecy?
JAM JOSIAH ALEXANDER THE GREAT MANASSEH
What problem did Habakkuk treat in the historical-national realm?
Kaufmann has observed that Habakkuk was the only prophet to treat the problem of the success of the wicked in the historical-national realm.
What significant question does Habakkuk begin with?
Part I (chaps. 1-2). The book of Habakkuk is a very personal book. The prophet logs his theological inquiry, opening Prayer One (1: 2-4) with a question that sets the tone for the prophecy: How long, O Lord, will I call for help, And Thou wilt not hear? I cry out to Thee, "Violence!" Yet Thou dost not save. (1: 2)
What was all the earth commanded in the end of chapter 2?
Part II (chap. 3). The closing verse of chapter 2 (v. 20) leads quite naturally into the prayer of chapter 3, for all the earth is admonished to keep silence in deference to the awful judgment and great salvation that Yahweh will bring.
What did Habakkuk's prayer in chapter 3 ask the Lord to remember?
Prayer Three (3: 2) is connected to chapters 1 and 2 in two ways: (1) it is reassurance that the God who promised weal and woe would deliver the Judeans as He had so frightfully and gloriously done in the Exodus; (2) it is a prayer that Yahweh might "in wrath remember mercy." The prayer proper consists of only one verse, whereas verses take the form of an answer to the prayer. The larger content falls into these sections:
What was a resident alien in prophetic literature?
Such thought was not designed to speculate—it was designed to announce Yahweh's Word. It was not introspective by its nature, even though it called Israel to introspection. The why of Habakkuk was a resident alien in prophetic literature. Its presence could be justified and defended, but it could have no permanent home there.
How did Paul apply Habakkuk's prophecy?
The Christian community should at the same time reflect on Paul's application of God's judgment to scoffers (1: 5; see Acts 13: 41). The author of Hebrews, too, encourages us to persevere in the spirit of Habakkuk 2: 3 -4.
How did the Lord respond to Habakkuk's laments?
The Lord responds with oracles of judgment (vv. 5-11; 2: 1 -4
According to VanG from which tribe was Habakkuk from ? and about what time did Habakkuk minister?
It is likely that Habakkuk was a Levite, associated with the temple singers (3: 1, 19; 1 Chron. 25: 1 -8), who lived in Judah during the last days of Josiah (640 -609 B.C.) and in the earlier part of the regime of Jehoiakim (608 -598 B.C.).
When was Nineveh destroyed?
The Assyrians had been cruel, Nineveh had been destroyed (612 B.C.), just as Nahum had prophesied, and
How many prophetic laments are in Habakkuk?
The book has two prophetic laments (1: 2 -4, 12 -17) in which the prophet questions Yahweh's righteousness.
According to Bullock, what are three distinct possibilities to identify the vision of Habakkuk?
The content of the "vision" (2: 2-3). There are three distinct possibilities here. First, Yahweh's command to write the vision may be a reference backward to the revelation that He was raising up the Chaldeans to punish the oppressors (1: 6). In that case, 1: 5-11 would be the basic content of the vision the prophet recorded. The second possible interpretation is that the vision consisted of the following revelation found in 2: 3-5, assuring the readers that vengeance would come, even if slowly, and exhorting them to be patient. A third proposal is that the vision consisted of the revelation of Yahweh's appearance in chapter 3.
What did the second woe do?
The second woe (2: 9-11) condemns the oppressor for unjustly having gained their status in the world, and it is aligned with the indictments found in 1: 15, 17 and 2: 5b.
How many woes did Habakkuk pronounce?
The second word of the prophet that does not belong to his prayers introduces a series of five woes (2: 6-19) pronounced against the Chaldeans. The preceding material prepared the readers for that condemnation by detailing the sins of the Chaldeans (1: 5-11, 13a-16). Admittedly, the Chaldeans are not mentioned in the woes,
What theme runs through Habakkuk's final prayer, as it does through the prophecies of the Neo-Babylonian era?
The theme of Yahweh's anger runs through this prayer as it does in the prophecies of the Neo-Babylonian era
Which chapter is set apart with its own introduction?
The third chapter is set apart with its own introduction, "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet" (3: 1), and with its musical notation (" On shigionoth," v. 1; "For the director of music. On my stringed instruments," v. 19). This chapter consists of several genres (hymn, lament, and thanksgiving).
What battle brought the Assyrian empire to an end?
the last vestiges of Assyrian power were to come to an end at Carchemish (605 B.C.). Assyria, "the rod of God's anger," had fallen prey to its own pride. God's people rejoiced in God's judgment on Assyria, but they wondered why he would afflict Judah by another foreign power. How could God use Babylon to inflict judgment on Judah when their cruelty and pagan ways further destroyed God's kingdom?
In Habakkuk, how did the Lord intend to deal with Judah's sin?
Answer One (1: 5-11) contains a solution to the problem of Judah's iniquities that is not any different from that detailed by Jeremiah: Yahweh is raising up the Chaldeans to punish the nation (Jer. 6: 7, 22-26, etc.). He had not blindly chosen them as His agent of judgment,
In Habakkuk, why was the Lord's second answer so important?
Answer Two (2: 2-5) is of far greater import than its length would imply. The Lord commanded Habakkuk to preserve the vision because the time had not yet come for its fulfillment (" the vision is yet for the appointed time," 2: 3a). The answer to the question posed in 1: 13 is specifically given in 2: 4-5. The Chaldeans were puffed up with pride and morally decadent (" not right"), but a righteous one (Habakkuk or any Judean who hoped in God) shall live by his faith
What are the basic problems in Habakkuk?
Basic Problems The identity of the oppressor in 1: 2-4. One of the basic questions that must be answered in order to understand Habakkuk's prophecy is the source of the oppression perpetrated on the Judeans in 1: 2-4. This oppressor would presumably be synonymous with the "wicked" of verse 4.
How was Habakkuk's approach to the Assyrian / Babylonian transition different than that of hIsaiah and Micah?
Both Isaiah and Micah had foreseen the transition from Assyrian to Babylonian domination (Isa. 39: 5-7; Mic. 4: 10), but neither had raised the acute theological question of why God should deal with His chosen people through instruments so soiled and devoid of true faith as Assyria and Babylonia.
What 4 things did Habakkuk do by example?
By his own example, he encouraged the godly to dialogue with God, to test their loyalty to him in harsh times, to develop hope in the Lord, and to praise him.
According to Bullock, what are not always compatible in a world is sense and sight?
Faith and fact are not always compatible in the world of sense and sight, but that is not the whole world. There is a world of justice that only God fully comprehends. His people must accept by faith what they cannot confirm in fact.
What does VanG subtitle his section on Habakkuk?
HABAKKUK: DIVINE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH
How does Habakkuk chapter 2 close in a way gat introduces chapter 3?
In fact, 2: 20 closes the first major section, expecting Yahweh's awesome appearance in chapter 3: "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." Four kinds of material have been identified in the book: complaint, prophetic oracle, prophetic woes, and a psalm. 16 Actually, however, the complaint is a prayer, and so is the psalm of chapter 3.
What follows the dialogue (2:5)?
The dialogue between God and his prophet ends (2: 5) only to be followed by a taunt, comprising five "woes" (vv. 6 -20). 35 The connection between the dialogues (1: 2 -2: 5) and the taunt is left for the reader to apprehend, but this ambiguity and the terse poetic style encourage the reader to listen closely to his speech to God, to God's speech to the prophet, and to the prophet's speech against Babylon.
What did the first woe promise?
The first woe (2: 6b-8) promises that the roles will be reversed on the Chaldeans, and they will become the prey of the nations (2: 7).
What was the focus of God's prayer?
The focus of the prayer is the revelation of God's being the Divine Warrior (3: 2 -12). 45 Habakkuk encouraged the godly to reflect on God's past acts as they await the Day of Judgment.
What had the Chaldeans forced upon the nation, and what did the fourth woe force upon the Chaldeans?
The fourth woe (2: 15-17) denounced them for forcing the cup of wrath on the nations. The Lord too has a cup, and He will make the Chaldeans drink it, and they will become inebriated on His wrath rather than drunken on their false glory.
What is the hope of the godly?
The hope of the godly lies in the full establishment of God's righteous and glorious kingdom. 41 Hope is confirmed by the promises of God. The Lord has promised the full redemption of his people from aggressors, oppressors, the wicked, the bellicose, and idolaters (2: 6 -20; see Isa. 5: 8 -23; Matt. 23: 13 -32; Luke 6: 24 -26; Rev. 9: 12; 11: 14; 18: 10, 16, 19). 42 He has promised to inaugurate his glorious kingdom.
Which moral question does Habakkuk deal with?
Habakkuk deals with the moral question of God's raising up the Babylonians.
What did the prophet Habakkuk do through dialogue?
Habakkuk is a sage who—through dialogue, taunt song, and praise—has instructed the godly over the ages to develop a deeper living faith in the Redeemer.
How was Habakkuk different than Job?
Habakkuk was bold enough to broach the subject of divine justice. Whether or not he was acquainted with Job, he nevertheless took the issue that Job had raised and probed on a personal level and dealt with it on an international plane. There is a distinct difference, however. Job defended his innocence and moral integrity, whereas Habakkuk admitted the sins of Judah.
What transition was Habakkuk the first to concentrate on?
Habakkuk was the prophet who concentrated his attention upon the transition from Assyrian to Babylonian domination of Judah.
When does Habakkuk's message fit according to VanG?
Habakkuk's message fits historically in the context of the fall of Nineveh (612 B.C.) and the emergence of Babylon as the Neo-Babylonian kingdom (605 B.C.) mentioned in 1: 6.33 Habakkuk witnessed significant shifts as the death of Josiah brought an end to the era of reform and Judah rapidly lost her independence.
What was the twofold nature of Habakkuk's complaint?
Habakkuk's second complaint (1: 12 -17) was twofold. First, he charged Judah with destroying the foundations of God's kingdom by perverting justice and righteousness. Second, he lamented God's response, fearing that in his freedom, all righteousness might be uprooted from the land and result in absolute anarchy (v. 17).
According to VanG.... what characterized the crisis in which Habakkuk prophesied?
He spoke God's word in a crisis situation arising from an increased lawlessness and injustice in Judah (vv. 2 -5), after Josiah's sudden death (609 B.C.) and the rise of Babylon. By 605 B.C. Assyria and Egypt had been defeated by Babylon at Carchemish, and Judah's days were numbered.
What does the hymn of Habakkuk celebrate?
The hymn of Habakkuk is a celebration of the power, glory, and victorious nature of our God. His are the "victorious chariots" (3: 8; lit. "chariots of salvation," yešû 'â), and his is the deliverance (yēša, v. 13, 2x; NIV "deliver... save") of his "messianic" community (NIV "anointed one," v. 13; Ps. 28: 8). He is their Savior (3: 18; lit. "the God of my salvation," yiš 'î). Habakkuk calls us to look expectantly for the Lord's salvation when Yahweh will establish his righteousness. Then the whole of the earth will be filled with his glory!
What does the name Habakkuk mean?
The name Habakkuk (from Heb. "embrace") occurs twice (v. 1; 3: 1), but its meaning is uncertain.
What did Habakkuk's questions encourage the godly to do?
The questions of Habakkuk encouraged the godly to develop an experiential faith (" the righteous will live by his faith," Hab. 2: 4) and to submit to God's rule, who freely uses crooked instruments in the establishment of his kingdom.
What did the third woe assert?
The third woe (2: 12-14) asserts that, although the Lord permits them to amass their ill-gotten wealth, their work will count for nothing. Indeed, in gaining their possessions unjustly, they had usurped God's glory. So He will destroy their ill-gotten fame and fill the whole earth with the knowledge of His own glory (2: 14).
What lines of transition were evident in Habakkuk?
Therefore, Habakkuk was a transition prophet in that he focused on the changing political fortunes of his world, the shift from the Neo-Assyrian to the Neo-Babylonian period. Further, he signaled a transition movement in Israelite thought. He was contemplative and spoke to God about Judah's concerns rather than to Judah about God's. He asked why—a question that prophets rarely posed to Yahweh. In that respect he signaled the transition to another thought movement, from prophetic thought to wisdom speculation.
What are three types of literary material in Habakkuk?
Therefore, there are three types of material: prayer, prophetic oracle, and prophetic woes. The material alternates between prophetic prayer and divine answer, interrupted by the prophet's words of confidence (2: 1; 3: 16-19), condemnation (2: 6-19), and admonition (2: 20). The contours of Habakkuk's style divide the book into two main parts (see outline, page 212).
How was speculation seen in the prophets, post-exiling apocalyptic and wisdom literature?
We should further observe that speculation never became an earmark of the prophets. In the postexilic era it was assumed to a lesser degree by apocalyptic and to a larger degree by wisdom literature.
Which prophets did Tiglath-pileser's reign touch?
With Tiglath-pileser's rise to power around 745, a new era dawned in Near Eastern politics and diplomacy. His reign alone, with its greedy seizure of land and power, touched the ministries of four great preexilic prophets, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah.
How did the prophetic polemic of Habakkuk enter a new phase?
With the prophet Habakkuk the prophetic polemic against idolatry entered a new phase. Now it was directed to pagan ears: "Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, 'Awake!' To a dumb stone, 'Arise!'" (2: 19). Kaufmann's keen observation has drawn attention to this new shape of the argument against idols.