Habakkuk

• Please type all answers.
• Most questions are worth 2 points. An answer that gives a year = a date is worth one point.
• You may use class notes, the Bible, Bible references books, or the internet, to find answers.
• When you give answers from the book of Habakkuk, please give the chapter and verse number.
• If we ask for a specific year, an answer within one or two years is fine = is correct.

The Background & Setting of the Book of Habakkuk:

1. What period of OT history does the book of Habakkuk fall into: __ (1 point)

2. This period begins with what event? __ (1 point)

   In what year? __ (1 point)

3. This period ends with what event? __ (1 point)

   In what year? __ (1 point)

4. What nation was the major power in the ancient near-east when this period began?

5. What was its capital city? __ (1 point)

6. What nation was the major power in the ancient near-east when this period ended?

   Please Note: We might not have mentioned the following two items in class. You will need to look them up online, or in a study Bible, or in any other reference about the history of the nations surrounding OT Israel.

7. In what year did Babylonia break free from Assyrian rule? __ (1 point)

8. In what year was Nineveh destroyed? __ (1 point)

The Text & Message of Habakkuk:

Read through the book of Habakkuk. Please think about it(!) as you read.

1. Which nation will God bring against Judah?

   Which verse(s) say this?

   Read ch. 1 again.

2. Which verses contain Habakkuk’s first complaint and question to God?

3. Summarize Habakkuk’s first complaint / first question. Put it into your own words.

   (4 points)

4. Which verses contain Habakkuk’s second complaint = his response to God?

   Re-read Habakkuk’s response to God carefully.

5. Which verse states the point of Habakkuk’s question = his challenge to God, most specifically?

6. Put that challenge into your own words.

   Do not just quote the verse.
   

   (4 points)

7. Which verses contain God’s reply back to Habakkuk?

8. Which verse states God’s brief instructions for Jews who desire to remain faithful to God?

   You just need to give the chapter & verse number.

9. What are God’s instructions for Jews who desire to remain faithful to Him?

10. Which verses contain what God says about Babylon?

11. In the passage Habakkuk 2:5–20, which two verses help us to identify that God is indeed talking about Babylon?

    (2 points each = 4 points)

12. God charges Babylon with several sins in this section. List two of them, and give the verse #’s.

    (6 points total)

13. List two verse numbers that tell us very directly what will happen to Babylon.

    (2 points each = 4 points)

14. Summarize / describe what will eventually happen to Babylon.

    (2 for each verse, 2 for each statement; 4 points max).

15. Carefully summarize Habakkuk’s prayer of response in chapter 3. (6 points).

    For example: Does he accept what will happen, or does he plead with God to do something different?
    

For your own reflection:

It is true that Israel / Judah was unfaithful to God in a way that Babylon was not. But in general, would it be fair to say that Babylon was a worse nation than Judah? (Hint: Hab 1:13)

Q: If God wishes to, can he judge a bad nation by using one that is even worse?

Q: But will God let the worse nation go without ever being punished?