Lesson #1 Habakkuk He's There, Listening to the Cry of Your Heart

INTRODUCTION INTO HABAKKUK: TODAY WE BEGIN OUR JOURNEY INTO A BOOK THAT WILL EQUIP YOU TO RESPOND RIGHTLY TO ALL THAT GOES ON AROUND YOU NO MATTER WHAT THE TRIAL. GOD WILL TEACH YOU ABOUT WHAT IS PLEASING TO HIM AND WHAT HE HATES. WE WILL SEE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE. WE WILL LEARN ABOUT GOD'S WAYS AND HIS POWER. WE WILL SEE FAITH TRANSFORMED IN THE LIFE OF HABAKKUK. YOU WILL BE CONVICTED AND ENCOURAGED TO BE CLOSER TO THE LORD. YOU WILL BE GIVEN A CLEAR PICTURE OF A FAITH THAT IS REAL AND IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON CIRCUMSTANCES OR TRIALS. YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT GOD'S PROPHECY TO DISCIPLINE THE NATION OF ISRAEL AND WE CAN KNOW THAT HISTORY TELLS US THAT IT BECAME TRUE. WE WILL ALSO WRESTLE WITH THAT WE CANNOT ALWAYS KNOW THE REASONS WHY GOD IS DOING SOMETHING, BUT CAN TRUST HIS PLANS.

OUR STRUGGLE-LIKE HABAKKUK'S STRUGGLE 1. What would be your worse nightmare? If it occurred how would you respond? How would your circumstance effect your relationship with God? Can you think of some very difficult situations in which you would question God and His ways?

2. What causes us to turn away from God during difficult times? Or why would you consider to turn from God in contemplating bad situations coming your way? I TURN AWAY FROM GOD WHEN I

AUTHOR/RECIPIENT 3. Turn to pg. 229 in your book for the book of Habakkuk. Now answer the following questions: Who wrote the book? vs. 1 HABAKKUK , HIS NAME MEANS EMBRACE OR EMBRACER Who is Habakkuk speaking to? 1: 2 How long, O ________, will I call for help.... Who is replying back to Habakkuk? 1:5 /1:12 .I am doing something in your days that you would not believe if you were told. AUTHOR'S DILEMMA/PROBLEM 4. Read Habakkuk 1:2-3. What is the problem the author of the book is struggling with? CALLING FOR HELP-GOD WILL NOT HEAR CRYING OUT TO GOD VIOLENCE- GOD DOES NOT SAVE GOD MAKES HABAKKUK LOOK ON WICKEDNESS

GOD IS LOOKING ON WICKEDNES WITH FAVOR GOD IS LOOKING ON THOSE WHO DEAL TREACHEROUSLY GOD IS SILENT WHEN THE WICKED SWALLOW UP THOSE WHO ARE MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN THE PERSECUTORS. 5. Look up the following passages in Habakkuk. Put a letter next to each question Habakkuk asks God. A) 1:1 How long, O Lord , will I call for help, and you will not hear? B) 1:3 Why do you make me look on iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? C) 1:12 Are You not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? D) 1:13b Why do you look with favor on those who deal treacherously? E) 1:13c Why are you silent when the the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they? F) 1:14 Why have You made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things without a ruler over them? G) 1:17 Will they therefore empty their net and continually slay nations without sparing? 6. How do you identify with Habakkuk and why? 7. Note the progression in Habakkuk's attitude from the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Hab. 1:2-3 Describe his attitude and thinking about God. HE PERCEIVES THAT GOD IS NOT DOING LISTENING. HOW LONG O LORD, WILLL CALL FOR HELP, AND YOU WILL NOT HEAR? I CRY OUT TO YOU, VIOLENCE, YET YOU DO NOT SAVE. WHY DO YOU MAKE ME LOOK ON INIQUITY,, AND CAUSE ME TO LOOK ON WICKEDNESS? YES DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE ARE BEFORE ME; STRIFE AND CONTENTION ARISES. Hab. 1:13 Any change in the attitude? HOW CAN GOD LOOK AT THIS AND DO NOTHING. YOUR EYES ARE TOO PURE TO APPROVE EVIL, AND YOU CAN NOT LOOK ON WICKEDNESS WITH FAVOR ON THOSE WHO DEAL TREACHEROUSLY? WHY ARE YOU SILENT WHEN THE WICKED SWALLOW UP THOSE MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN THEY? Hab. 2:1 How is Habakkuk's attitude different now? AT THIS POINT HE IS WAITING AND LISTENING. I WILL STAND ON MY GUARD POST and STATION MYSELF ON THE RAMPART; AND I WILL WATCH TO SEE WHAT HE WILL SPEAK TO ME, AND HOW I MAY REPLY WHEN I AM REPROVED. Hab. 3:2-3 What is Habakkuk doing and what is he saying? NOW HABAKKUK THINKS OF GOD'S GLORY AND RECALLS WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST. LORD, I HAVE HEARD THE REPORTABOUT YOU AND I FEAR. O LORD, REVIVE YOUR WORK IN THE MIDST OF THE YEARS, IN THE MIDST OF THE YEARS MAKE IT KNOWN; IN WRATH REMEMBER MERCY. GOD COMES FROM TEMAN, AND THE HOLY ONE FROM MOUNT PARAN. HIS SPLENDOR COVERS THE HEAVENS, AND THE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS PRAISE. Hab. 3:18-19 What is Habakkuk resolving to do? HE IS WILLING TO ENDURE ANYTHING FOR

THE LORD. YET I WILL EXULT, IN THE LORD, I WILL REJOICE IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. THE LORD GOD IS MY STRENGTH, AND HE MAKES MY FEET LIKE HINDS FEET, AND MAKES ME WALK IN MY HIGH PLACES. 8. Considering Habakkuk's change in attitude towards God, in the midst of many problems, what hope does that give you with the things you are currently facing? I CAN MODEL AFTER HABAKKUK BY REMEMBERING WHO GOD IS, BY ASKING AND SEEKING GOD WHEN I STRUGGLE, BY BEING COMMITTED TO LIVE FOR GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE COST. LASTLY, I CAN TRUST WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED. WHEN THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN: AFTER KING JOSIAH'S DEATH and BEFORE THE BABYLONIAN CAPITIVITY 9. In order to appreciate the book of Habakkuk to its fullest, we must understand what is going on historically. Look at the chart enclosed in your questions (or on pg. 19 in your book). Answer the following questions:Who were the kings of Judah during Habakkuk's time? Which king was before Habakkuk? Has Babylon taken Judah? EXPLAIN THE PLANS GOD HAD. BEGINNINING IN GE. 12:1-4 GOD GIVES THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM TO MAKE HIM A GREAT NATION, TO BLESS HIM. THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL. WE SEE THROUGH SCRIPTURE THAT GOD CARRIED HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL THROUGH CAPTIVITIES (MOSES AND EGYPT), FED THEM THROUGH TIMES OF DROUGHT AND FAMINE (JOESPH AND MOSES), GOD DID MANY THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, HIS CHILDREN. YEARS AND YEARS FILLED WITH FAITHLESSNESS. CONSIDER MOSES TIME, CONSIDER THE SPIES ENTERING INTO THE PROMISED LAND AND HOW THE ISRAELITES RESPONDED. EVENTUALLY THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL DECIDED THEY WANTED A KING (EVEN THOUGH GOD DID NOT INSTITUTE THIS, HE GAVE THE PEOPLE THEIR WAY)... THUS TROUBLE ERUPTED. THE PEOPLE PICKED A KING WHICH SUITED THEM (KING SAUL) AND THE TROUBLE BEGAN. AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME THE NATION OF ISRAEL DIVIDED WHICH CONSISTED OF THE 12 TRIBES. THE DIVISION WAS THE 10 NORTHERN TRIBES (WHICH HAD ALL BAD KINGS) and THE 2 SOUTHERN TRIBES WHICH HAD BOTH BAD AND GOOD KINGS. AT THE POINT OF HABAKKUK THE NORTHERN KINGDOM IS NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE THEY WERE HELD CAPTIVE. THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM IS STILL AROUND, BUT IN BAD CONDITION. 10. What was Habakkuk made to look at and endure in Hab. 1:2-4? INIQUITY, WICKEDNESS, DESTRUCTION, VIOLENCE, STRIFE, CONTENTION, LAW IS IGNORED, WICKED SURROUND THE RIGHTEOUS, JUSTICE COMES OUT PERVERTED THIS IS JUDAH....GOD'S PEOPLE Habakkuk was watching God's people sin and seemingly get away with it.

On the top half of the chart, who are all the prophets mentioned? Who are the kings of Judah? (southern kingdom) NAHUM, JEREMIAH, ZEPHANIAH, HABAKKUK, EZEKIEL AND DANIEL, JOSIAH, JEHOHAZ, JEHOIAKIM, JEHOLACHIN 11. Look up 2 Kings 22, fill in the blanks to give a clear picture what was taking place in the land of Judah. 22:1 ________ JOSIAH when he was eight years old he began to reign, 22:2 And he did what was _______RIGHT in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the way of David his father, and he did not _________TURN aside to the right or to the left. 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the ___________ LORD. 22:10b And Shaphan _________READ it to the king. 22:11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he __________TORE his clothes... 22:13 Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all of Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us. 12. Listen closely to God's response with the two separate groups of people. What can you learn from each group? What do you learn about God's dealings with each group? THE PROUD 22:16 Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of this ________BOOK that the king of Judah has read. 22:17 Because they have _____________FORSAKEN Me and made offerings to other gods, that they might ____________PROVOKE Me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore my ________WRATH will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. THE HUMBLE 22:19 because your heart was ___________TENDER and you _______________HUMBLED yourself before the Lord 22:19b and you have __________TORN your clothes and ____________WEPT before Me, I truly have heard you 22:20Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace and your eyes will not see all the evil I will bring upon this place....

13. Just as the nation of Israel forgot the word of God in the house of God, how are we as people within the church of God forgetting the word of God? 14. God is a god of hope and loves to extend His forgiveness. Read Deu. 30:2-4 to see His plea to His people. AND YOU RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD AND OBEY HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL ACCORDING TO ALL THAT I COMMAND YOU TODAY, YOU AND YOUR SONS, THEN THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL RESTORE YOU FROM CAPTIVITY, AND HAVE COMPASSION ON YOU, AND WILL GATHER YOU AGAIN FROM ALL THE PEOPLES WHERE THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS SCATTERED YOU. IF YOUR OUTCASTS ARE AT THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, FROM THERE THE LORD GOD WILL BRING YOU INTO THE LAND WHICH YOUR FATHERS POSSESSED , AND YOU SHALL POSSESS IT; AND HE WILL PROSPER YOU MORE THAN YOUR FATHERS. 15. What has God stirred within your own heart today? What must you do to Whom should you turn?

Lesson #1 Habakkuk He's There, Listening to the Cry of Your Heart

1. What would be your worse nightmare? If it occurred how would you respond? How would your circumstance effect your relationship with God? Can you think of some very difficult situations in which you would question God and His ways?

2. What causes us to turn away from God during difficult times? Or why would you consider to turn from God in contemplating bad situations coming your way?

3. Turn to pg. 229 in your book for the book of Habakkuk. Now answer the following questions: Who wrote the book? vs. 1 Who is Habakkuk speaking to? 1: 2 How long, O ________, will I call for help.... Who is replying back to Habakkuk? 1:5 /1:12 .I am doing something in your days that you would not believe if you were told. 4. Read Habakkuk 1:2-3. What is the problem the author of the book is struggling with?

5. Look up the following passages in Habakkuk. Put a letter next to each question Habakkuk asks God. A) 1 :2 B) 1:3 C) 1:12 D) 1:13b E) 1:13c

F) 1:14 G) 1:17 6. How do you identify with Habakkuk and why? 7. Note the progression in Habakkuk's attitude from the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Hab. 1:2-3 Describe his attitude and thinking about God. HOW LONG O LORD, WILL CALL FOR HELP, AND YOU WILL NOT HEAR? I CRY OUT TO YOU, VIOLENCE, YET YOU DO NOT SAVE. WHY DO YOU MAKE ME LOOK ON INIQUITY,, AND CAUSE ME TO LOOK ON WICKEDNESS? YES DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE ARE BEFORE ME; STRIFE AND CONTENTION ARISES. Hab. 1:13 Any change in the attitude? YOUR EYES ARE TOO PURE TO APPROVE EVIL, AND YOU CAN NOT LOOK ON WICKEDNESS WITH FAVOR ON THOSE WHO DEAL TREACHEROUSLY? WHY ARE YOU SILENT WHEN THE WICKED SWALLOW UP THOSE MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN THEY? Hab. 2:1 How is Habakkuk's attitude different now? I WILL STAND ON MY GUARD POST and STATION MYSELF ON THE RAMPART; AND I WILL WATCH TO SEE WHAT HE WILL SPEAK TO ME, AND HOW I MAY REPLY WHEN I AM REPROVED. Hab. 3:2-3 What is Habakkuk doing and what is he saying? LORD, I HAVE HEARD THE REPORTABOUT YOU AND I FEAR. O LORD, REVIVE YOUR WORK IN THE MIDST OF THE YEARS, IN THE MIDST OF THE YEARS MAKE IT KNOWN; IN WRATH REMEMBER MERCY. GOD COMES FROM TEMAN, AND THE HOLY ONE FROM MOUNT PARAN. HIS SPLENDOR COVERS THE HEAVENS, AND THE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS PRAISE. Hab. 3:18-19 What is Habakkuk resolving to do? YET I WILL EXULT, IN THE LORD, I WILL REJOICE IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. THE LORD GOD IS MY STRENGTH, AND HE MAKES MY FEET LIKE HINDS FEET, AND MAKES ME WALK IN MY HIGH PLACES. 8. Considering Habakkuk's change in attitude towards God, in the midst of many problems, what hope does that give you with the things you are currently facing?

9. In order to appreciate the book of Habakkuk to its fullest, we must understand what is going on historically. Look at the chart enclosed in your questions (or on pg. 19 in your book). Answer the following questions: Who were the kings of Judah during Habakkuk's time?

Which king was before Habakkuk? Has Babylon taken Judah?