HABAKKUK STUDY GUIDE part 3

HABAKKUK STUDY GUIDE part 3

QUESTIONS

     1.   Jehovah is described as Yahweh (“Lord”) of Hosts in Habakkuk 2:13. Another way to say this would be “God the Warrior”. What does it mean to characterize God as a warrior? What does this say about him? Does this title for God “bother” or encourage you? Why do you think you react that way? If you were in Habakkuk’s position, how do you think you would respond to the idea of Yahweh of Hosts?

     

       2. List some of the sinful deeds described in the five woes (v.6-20). Do we still see this kind of behavior in today’s world? What should be our response to this? What will be God’s response to this?

     3.  A comparison is made between verses 18-19 and verse 20. What or who is being compared? Make a small list contrasting their characteristics below. How does this comparison help us better appreciate who God is?

                          Why do you think this compare and contrast is made in the context of a passage predicting Yahweh’s impending judgment on Babylon?

     4.  In the midst of these judgment oracles, we see Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” The violence of this world will eventually be replaced by God’s tranquility when he brings his kingdom to all creation. The unlimited God will ultimately and permanently triumph over wicked man. When this happens, God’s glory – his royal majesty and awesome power – will be universally and intimately known. Please explain how this verse of hope and promise makes sense and fits within the context of Habakkuk 2:5-20 (i.e., why is verse 14 in chapter two … “does it belong”?).

     5.  We should not distance ourselves too much from the Babylon. We continue to guilty, individually and corporately, of selfishness and pride, seeking the best for us often at the expense of others. We too will be judged, unless we have found life in the gospel of Jesus Christ. How does the gospel save us from judgment and transform us into a people who proclaim and display the glory of God?

     BONUS QUESTION: In regards to 2:17, one commentator says part of the reason Babylon is condemned is because they “even went as far as denuding lands of their tree covering. This metaphorical understanding is supported by the context, since Babylon is also said to extend her savagery beyond shedding man’s blood to the destruction of animals and even of the earth itself. Not only inter-human atrocities but also ecological excesses receive condemnation.” Do you agree with this interpretation of 2:17? If so, what is its significance? If not, what is a more accurate way to interpret this verse?

                HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

THE RISE OF BABYLON AND THE FALL OF ASSYRIA

The transfer of power from Assyria to Babylon was the biggest story of 7^th century BC. God used Babylon to conquer and punish many sin-filled nations in the Ancient Near East, including Judah. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar overtook Jerusalem in 605 BC and again in 598/7 BC, and he deported the Judean elite throughout the Babylonian Empire for the next 70 years. No Empire lasts forever, of course. Babylon began fading in prominence as subsequent leaders began making poor decisions and demonstrating general ineptitude.

Things began to greatly change in the mid-sixth century as the Persians began to rise.  Cyrus II of Persia conquers Media (550 BC), Lydia (546 BC), and even Babylon itself (539 BC).  Originally, Cyrus of Persia was a Babylonian ally but because of rising Persian power, along with an insatiable appetite for more territory, it was inevitable that the two Kingdoms would come into conflict with each other.  Much of Babylon’s conquering was done under the regime of Nebuchadnezzar, who died in 562 BC. 

After 7 years of what can only be termed political instability, Nabonidus ascended the Babylonian throne in 555 BC.  His single-minded adoration of the moon god, Sin, would be his undoing.  Why?  The Babylonians were primarily devoted to Marduk worship and did not appreciate Sin’s encroachment of sorts.  For example, after the king had led a successful campaign in the north he made a statue to Sin, not Marduk!  This led to a conflict between the king and the worshippers of Marduk.  The priests stood up for their god and eventually Nabonidus had no choice but to go into exile.  Belshazzar ruled in his stead during this time.  When Nabonidus returned a decade later, it was too late.

THE RISE OF PERSIA AND THE FALL OF BABYLON

In 539 BC, a Persian commander named Gutium marched into Babylon’c capital, much to the delight of the populace. They were just itching to worship Marduk again instead of Sin and they knew Cyrus of Persia would happily allow this.  King Nabonidus was so unpopular there because of his attempted religious “reforms”, that the overthrow of the capital required no fight – it’s hard to believe that mighty Babylon fell without a fight!    

Persian power ruled the nations with an organization and effectiveness that neither the Assyrians nor Babylonians before them could achieve, and its strength continued into the next century. This turned out to be good for the Jews living scattered abroad because they were allowed to return to Jerusalem to repair the Temple and rebuild the city walls.    

FURTHER REFLECTION

 God wants to display…the absolute character of his glorious righteousness…to make his stunning mercy all the more beautiful. If there is no judgment, there is no mercy. If no one is ever punished for their wrongdoing, then mercy ceases to be mercy and becomes nothing more than injustice. God wants us to know him as a God who is capable of somehow maintaining justice and righteousness even as he forgives sin. If God does not judge, he does not keep his word and we cannot trust him. A god who does not keep his word is not worthy of worship. A God who keeps his word and finds a way to forgive sin and show mercy to the guilty, that is a God who is worthy of worship. God’s glory in salvation through judgment is supremely displayed in the cross of Christ, where justice and mercy meet, where righteousness and peace kiss, where God’s infinite holiness and everlasting love are displayed on the cosmic stage at the hinge of history. This righteousness and mercy calls us to repent, trust, bow, and worship.

-       Jim Hamilton, Author of God's Glory in Salvation Through Judgment 

Source: http://www.9marks.org/blog/gods-glory-salvation-through-judgment-my-answers-dees-questions

For further reading:

God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment: A Biblical Theology 

By James M. Hamilton, Jr. (Crossway Books, 2010)