Reading Through the Bible - HABAKKUK

Some Books of the Bible are very short and this is one of the shortest. 

HABAKKUK  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -  PROPHECY 

35th book of the OT 

35th book of the Bible

What is it?

The Book of Habakkuk is one of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament.

Who Wrote it?

The Prophet Habakkuk  

How does it start?

It starts with a question from the prophet Habakkuk to God ch. 1 v.2-4    

Haggai is crying out to God about justice

How Long is it?

It has only 3 chapters.

What does it contain?

It covers

•  2 questions from Habakkuk to God and God's reply,
•  a prayer by Habakkuk
•  God's comparison between the proud and the just in ch. 2v4

•  God's proclamation on the wicked

but even through the judgement of the wicked there is always hope for the world.

When was it written?

It covers the period of 615 - 605 BC.

Prophecies come true in the period 608 - 598 BC

Why was it written?

It is to encourage people to turn to God and rely on Him to do what is right though prayer and praise.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Habakkuk pleads with God to stop the injustice and violence in Judah, but is surprised to find that God will use the even more violent Babylonians to do so."

 

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"The Prophecy is in response to heartfelt prayer and has been an encouragement to people to cry out in times of trouble."

What format does this book take?

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

1. Habakkuk asks when God will judge Judah (Hab 1:1–4)
2. God will judge Judah with the Chaldeans (Hab 1:5–11)
3. Habakkuk asks why God would use the wicked Chaleans (Hab 1:12–17)
4. God pronounces judgment on the Chaldeans (Hab 2)
5. Habakkuk responds with a song of worship (Hab 3)

How does it end?

With a Hymn of Faith in ch. 3 v 17-19

where we get the very well known passage acknowledging that we can trust God through everything.

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

 

Reading Through The Bible - HAGGAI

Some of the Books of the bible are very short and this is one is the second shortest in the Old Testament.    (Shortest is Obadiah)

HAGGAI  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -  PROPHECY 

37th book of the NT 

37th book of the Bible

What is it?

The Book of Haggai is one of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament.

Who was it written to?

It was spoken to the governor of Judah and the High Priest as mentioned in verse 1.

Who wrote it?

The prophet Haggai spoke it 

How Long is it?

It has only 2 chapters and only 38 verses.

When was it written?

It covers the period of 520 BC.

We know this because it specifically mentions when in the very first verse by referring to the reign of King Darius 

"In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest," 

This book is also linked to the Book of Ezra ch.1-6

Why was it written?

God had a specific message for the leaders & the people to tell them to continue with the restoration of the Temple because they had put rebuilding of their own homes first and then didn't bother about the temple.

He wanted to get their attention for them to "consider their ways" and to make sure they took it seriously he said it at the start of His Word to them in ch.1 v 5 and then repeated himself 2 verses later.

Then when He had their attention in verse 8 God told them:

" ....build the house (temple); and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified,  saith the Lord."

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"The people have abandoned the work of restoring God’s temple in Jerusalem, and so Haggai takes them to task."

 

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Haggai's messages are simple and straightforward.  God tells the people through Haggai to rebuild the temple first.  It would keep them from falling back into errors that had caused the great exile."

What was the result of the message?

The leaders and people listened and took the words to heart v.12 and took action v.14 and they started to rebuild the temple.

The Lord spoke again and again through Haggai in ch. 2 where He spoke of the nations that He would bring to the temple in the future, that He would fill it with glory and that this latter glory would be greater than the former glory. 

What format does this book take?

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

1. God calls the people to complete the temple (Hag 1:1–11)
2. The people obey (Hag 1:12–15)
3. God responds with encouragement and blessing (Hag 2)

My Pastor tells us the following  (see his Bible Study video on Haggai)

The name Haggai means festive so it is something to get excited about.

1. God challenges the people and they obey Him (Hag 1:1–15)
2. God deals with the shattered dreams of the people (Hag 2:1–9)
3. Haggai calls them to a place of  (Hag 2:10–19)
4. The Future Hope of the Kingdom (Hag 2:20–23)

How does it end?

With encouragement, a personal word to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, saying that God had chosen him.

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE