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bigmike

Habakkuk 3:1 (NKJV) 1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth.
Welcome back. Let’s continue!
Habakkuk’s name is said to mean, “embrace” or “one who embraces”.
That name is fitting. And the accuracy of it becomes obvious the further into the book we read, as we see Habakkuk embracing and clinging to God despite not understanding His ways.
What else can we learn about Habakkuk?
Because he introduced himself in Habakkuk 1:1 as simply, the prophet Habakkuk, it is believed that he was likely well known in his day. It has been well established that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zephaniah.
Further, Habakkuk's writings differed from most other OT prophets of God in that they did not address Judah or Israel directly. Instead, he speaks to God about what he sees taking place around him.
Many of the questions Habakkuk asks God are similar to the words spoken by Job as he questioned God’s ways, His judgements, and His seeming lack of justice regarding evildoers.
Habakkuk’s words were sincere, passionate, and heartfelt, not accusatory. There was no malice intended in his inquiries of God.
So, with this background in place, and these things established, let’s move forward with Habakkuk’s prayer, which runs from Habakkuk 3:1 through 3:16.
Habakkuk 3:2 (NKJV) 2 O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.
If we look at Habakkuk 3:2, we will see that he is making an impassioned plea for God to “revive” His work in the midst of the years. What was he referring to?
Habakkuk was pleading with God to protect and restore Israel as He had done in past situations; to prevent the land from being invaded and overtaken by evil rulers from foreign lands.
God’s practice in years past was to purge His covenant people and restore them to righteousness.
But in this instance, it seemed that God would not protect Israel or Judah, allowing them instead to be conqured and chastened by way of captivity and exile to foreign lands of heathen, pagan people.
More tomorrow...
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

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