O. Palmer Robertson interestingly suggests Cyrus! Corporate Israel and the future Davidic ruler (the technical meaning of “messiah”) are the other major options. Hmmm. I have no idea, but I want to explore this.
Category: Habakkuk
Habakkuk 3:2 –> 3:3-15
I finished translating through the theophanic vision of God in 3:3-15 this morning, and suddenly it hit me how vital this section is in the larger context. I used to view it as a very dramatic portrayal of God’s coming in judgment and salvation, but somewhat random in terms of how it fits into the larger message of Habakkuk, and especially how it relates to Habakkuk’s prayer in 3:2 and declaration of joy in 3:16-19. But today I realized that Habakkuk’s vision of God here in 3:3-15 is drawing from God’s saving deeds in Israel’s history, especially in the Exodus…
Take Aways from Habakkuk
Seven “take aways” from my recent study on Habakkuk: 1) The commentaries by O. Palmer Robertson (NICOT) and Peter C. Craigie (DSBS) are very helpful. I differ with Robertson on how to interpret 3:2, and Craigie is extremely brief, but they are both insightful commentators with good theological sense. Their different interests and level of depth also complement each other well. 2) I’m convinced from the larger flow of thought and the reference to torah in 1:4 that 1:2-4 is best taken as describing apostate Judah rather than Assyria in decline or rising Babylon. The best timeframe is sometime during…
Faith in Habakkuk
Lighter posting this week, as I am devoting my mornings to preparation for a sermon this Sunday on Habakkuk 2:4, “the righteous shall live by faith.” I am going to examine the meaning of of “faith” (Hebrew emunah, steadfastness, fidelity), which I refer to as “steadfast trust,” in light of the rest of the book, and in light of the New Testament’s usage of this verse (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38-39). I have three points: 1) Faith trusts in God even when the unthinkable happens (chapter 1-2, especially 1:5-11). 2) Faith finds joy in God, not circumstances (3:16b-19). 3)…
Reflections on Habakkuk (3): Learning from the Prophet’s Prayer
God’s answers to Habakkuk’s questions in chapters 1-2 lead to Habakkuk’s song of worship in chapter 3. I love the prayer that Habakkuk begins with in verse 2. NIV: LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. ESV: O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk’s…
Reflections on Habakkuk (2): As the Waters Cover the Sea
In this post I want to talk about Habakkuk 2:13-14, a passage of Scripture that fills me with hope and optimism. The main bulk of God’s second answer to Habakkuk in 2:2-20 hangs on five proclamations of woe to the evildoer: “woe to him who heaps up what is not his own” (2:6); “woe to him who gets evil gain for his house” (2:9); “woe to him who builds a town with blood” (2:12); “woe to him who makes his neighbor’s drink” (2:15); “woe to him who says to a wooden thing, ‘Awake’” (2:19). This diatribe against oppression and idolatry…
Reflections on Habakkuk (1): Though the Fig Tree Should not Blossom
One of my favorite books in the Bible is Habakkuk. Its a very unique book – short, rich in content, and dealing with the deep themes of God’s sovereignty, judgment, mercy, idolatry, suffering, faith, and joy. Many have compared it to the book of Job. I am doing some study on Habakkuk and will be posting random reflections and insights that I have on it over the course of the next several weeks/months. For now, I will just give my broad outline and then a brief comment. Brief Outline I. Habakkuk’s dialogue with God (chapters 1-2) ___1 Superscription (1:1) ___2…