C
The book of Habakkuk is an excellent read.
He is a minor prophet with an interesting name which means "embrace" or "wrestle" And interestingly enough he did both
I recommend you read the whole book yourself, doing a proper study on it and seeing how it fit perfectly historically into other scripture. And at an easy 3 chapters, it's a good place to study when you haven't got allot of time. I prefer to read the book as a whole a few times before looking at it systemically and applying hermeneutics before using bible commentaries etc.
The first I noticed, which actually lead me to this book was the wonderful contrast between the opening verses and the closing prayer. It intrigued me because it begs the question how does a man go from sadness to joy, and doubt to faith when none of his above issues were even rectified, in the natural realm during His writing.
Chapter 1 opens with a heart felt cry "O Lord how long shall I cry and You will not hear? Even cry out to you violence and You will not save". If you continue to read all the way to the end of verse 4, the theme is pretty much the same.
Chapter 3:17-19 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls - yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation ( Strong's JOY gil (geel) To joy rejoice, be glad, be joyful. Gil contains the suggestion leaping or dancing with joy, as the verb originally meant to spin around with intense motion) The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills".
I find this prayer a beautiful example of what it is to receive God's truth through faith. And what a response and turn around of attitude it provides.
Habakkuk carries a sense of justice which prompts him to have it out with God so to speak. When the Lord responds, the minor prophet is shocked because God reveals to Him that He is planning to bring judgement upon the Israelites from an even more wicked nation 'the Chaldeans'.
The book of Habakkuk teaches us that when God speaks, and makes His will, plans and promises known to us. We can leap for joy and thanksgiving as we put our trust in Him. Our situations may not change immediately, they may be the same tomorrow as they were today, but we can be assured that God will see us through. He will fulfil the plans He has for us.
So to answer the question how does a man's attitude change so drastically within 3 short chapters - simply put TRUST IN GOD.
He is a minor prophet with an interesting name which means "embrace" or "wrestle" And interestingly enough he did both
I recommend you read the whole book yourself, doing a proper study on it and seeing how it fit perfectly historically into other scripture. And at an easy 3 chapters, it's a good place to study when you haven't got allot of time. I prefer to read the book as a whole a few times before looking at it systemically and applying hermeneutics before using bible commentaries etc.
The first I noticed, which actually lead me to this book was the wonderful contrast between the opening verses and the closing prayer. It intrigued me because it begs the question how does a man go from sadness to joy, and doubt to faith when none of his above issues were even rectified, in the natural realm during His writing.
Chapter 1 opens with a heart felt cry "O Lord how long shall I cry and You will not hear? Even cry out to you violence and You will not save". If you continue to read all the way to the end of verse 4, the theme is pretty much the same.
Chapter 3:17-19 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls - yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation ( Strong's JOY gil (geel) To joy rejoice, be glad, be joyful. Gil contains the suggestion leaping or dancing with joy, as the verb originally meant to spin around with intense motion) The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills".
I find this prayer a beautiful example of what it is to receive God's truth through faith. And what a response and turn around of attitude it provides.
Habakkuk carries a sense of justice which prompts him to have it out with God so to speak. When the Lord responds, the minor prophet is shocked because God reveals to Him that He is planning to bring judgement upon the Israelites from an even more wicked nation 'the Chaldeans'.
The book of Habakkuk teaches us that when God speaks, and makes His will, plans and promises known to us. We can leap for joy and thanksgiving as we put our trust in Him. Our situations may not change immediately, they may be the same tomorrow as they were today, but we can be assured that God will see us through. He will fulfil the plans He has for us.
So to answer the question how does a man's attitude change so drastically within 3 short chapters - simply put TRUST IN GOD.
