FALL QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2014
THEME: DISPLACED BUT NOT MISPLACED THROUGH TRUSTING THE IMMUTABLE GOD
Unit II – Dark Nights of the Soul
“TRUSTING GOD IN DARK TIMES”
Sunday School Lesson No. V October 5, 2014
Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III
Lesson Text: Habakkuk 2:1-5; 3:17-19
Motto Text: Habakkuk 3:17-19, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”
Required Reading: Habakkuk 1 – 3
Reliable Resources: Preaching from the Prophets (Kyle Yates); Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Nelson’s Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible (1980); Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (1993); The Message (translation); Children’s Ministry Resource Bible
LESSON INTRODUCTION
“Habakkuk ministers during the ‘death throes’ of the nation of Judah. Although repeatedly called to repentance, the nation stubbornly refuses to change her sinful ways. Habakkuk, knowing the hardheartedness of his countrymen, asks God how long this intolerable condition can continue. God replies that the Babylonians will be His chastening rod upon the nation – an announcement that sends the prophet to his knees. He acknowledges that the just in any generation shall live by faith (2:4), not by sight. Habakkuk concludes by praising God’s wisdom even though he does not fully understand God’s ways.” Excerpt from Children’s Ministry Resource Bible, p. 1086.
Habakkuk, whose name means “To Cling Or Embrace,” is truly a prophet who lived up to his name. He appears to be a well polished writer and possibly by tradition, was also a member of the Levitical priesthood. His writing takes place before the utter destruction of Jerusalem, but during the threat of a Babylonian takeover. Perhaps the style of his presentation is the most fascinating of all.
He tends to be asking God questions and receiving divine answers as he sets himself on the watchtower and waits on the Lord. Finally, when Jehovah finishes His conversation, the prophet is comforted by his faith in the word of the Lord. Habakkuk 2:4 reveals, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Let us peruse this giant of faith as he stands in awe of His judgment and God’s faithfulness to an unfaithful people.
Anticipated Power Points:
· Habakkuk’s Concern and God’s Reply. Habakkuk 1:2-11
· Habakkuk’s Confusion and God’s Reply. Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:1
· Habakkuk’s Clarity through God’s Reply. Habakkuk 2:2-13
· Habakkuk’s Comfort because of God’s Reliability. Habakkuk 2:14; 3:17-19
LESSON OUTLINE
I. Habakkuk’s Concern and God’s Reply. Habakkuk 1:2-11
A. The prophet questions the Lord. vss. 2-4 (Why are you allowing evil to prosper unchecked?)
B. The Lord answers the prophet. vss. 5-11 (I am bringing the Babylonians to town, and they will be my hand of chastisement!)
II. Habakkuk’s Confusion and God’s Reply. Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:1
A. How can God be in league with our enemies? Aren’t they worse than we are?
In verse 13 we find, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” In Galatians 6:7 we are told, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Luke 12:47-48 tells us, “And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
B. Habakkuk would wait for God’s answer! vs. 2:1.
From this position the prophet would wait for God’s response and find satisfaction in the Lord’s divine answer.
III. Habakkuk’s Clarity through God’s Reply. Habakkuk 2:2-13
God speaks concerning how He will deal with the Babylonians even after they are used to judge Israel. The Lord will judge them even though they were used to chastise Judah. But God’s reply speaks plainly:
A. Write the plan of God plainly. vs. 2
God wants Habakkuk to plainly pen what is to be distributed among Jerusalem’s inhabitants. Write it so that the heralder
can dispense his message with clarity as he travels.
B. Wait for God’s plan to be fulfilled patiently. vs. 3
Note the New Century Version translation: “It is not yet time for the message to come true, but that time is coming soon; the message will come true. It may seem like a long time, but be patient and wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be delayed.”
C. Walk in faith and not in selfish pride. vs. 4
(Who dares to stand in judgment over God? Even the prophet has no right to judge God’s timeline to action!) Both Habakkuk and even us today must not judge God’s timeline, but live and rely on our faith in God! “We walk by faith and not by sight.” And WOE to the wicked!
D. Watch out not to stand in opposition to God’s laws.
1. The judged are summarized. vss. 5-6a.
God summarizes the nature of the Babylonians and declares that they are full of pride and arrogance, but one day they will be humbled before God.
2. The judged are specified. vss. 6b-13
a. Woe against thievery. vss. 6b-8. Babylon stole from their captives and one day, they will face retribution!
b. Woe against their covetousness. vss. 9-11. The prophet declares that the Babylonians who lived and thrived on the wealth and livelihood of other nations will be condemned by the witness of their own houses before God!
c. Woe against their violence. vss. 12-13. Their violence will lead to their own demise, because you reap what you
sow!
IV. Habakkuk’s Comfort because of his Faith in God. Habakkuk 2:14 (NKJV)
“For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.” (Truly a better day will come!)
Habakkuk 3:17-19 describes the prophet’s prayer and praise! No more questions, just confidence. As the prophet stood on the watchtower and received this message, he was encouraged because one day his nation would be delivered (Habakkuk 2:14), and he writes that through it all, and has the confidence to pray and praise the Lord, because He is the God of his salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT) “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
CLOSING
That same awesome God will judge the world for its denial of Him, and for its devilish ways. But they that trust God’s Son Jesus Christ will live in the presence of the Lord forever. Things do not always look feasible, “but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength!” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and thank God, forever! So beloved, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3
Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA and Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA
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Looking Ahead: October 12, 2014 Job 19:1-7, 23-29
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