The Prophet Saw
The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw.
Habakkuk 1:1
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The Prophet Saw
The book of the prophet Habakkuk was most likely written around 640–615 B.C., just prior to the fall of Assyria and the rise of Babylon, also known as Chaldea. Previously God had used Assyria to punish Israel, but now He would use Babylon to punish Assyria and Judah. As with all prophecies from God, they are fulfilled in His time, not ours. This prophecy would be fulfilled several decades after Habakkuk, in 586. The question throughout Habakkuk is, how can God use a wicked nation such as Babylon for His divine purpose? God judges all nations, said Habakkuk, and even Babylon would eventually be judged, falling to Persia in 539. Though God’s ways are sometimes mysterious, “the righteous shall live by his faith” while awaiting salvation. So, God spoke to His people of old through His prophet Habakkuk. And today, He speaks to us through His Word. The Law crushes us and leaves us exposed in our sin, but His Gospel comes in as the healing balm to rescue us. Christ is given to us through the Word and Sacraments, as He heals our brokenness, reconciling us to the Father. This is the promise faith holds onto.
Habakkuk 1:1
+
The Prophet Saw
The book of the prophet Habakkuk was most likely written around 640–615 B.C., just prior to the fall of Assyria and the rise of Babylon, also known as Chaldea. Previously God had used Assyria to punish Israel, but now He would use Babylon to punish Assyria and Judah. As with all prophecies from God, they are fulfilled in His time, not ours. This prophecy would be fulfilled several decades after Habakkuk, in 586. The question throughout Habakkuk is, how can God use a wicked nation such as Babylon for His divine purpose? God judges all nations, said Habakkuk, and even Babylon would eventually be judged, falling to Persia in 539. Though God’s ways are sometimes mysterious, “the righteous shall live by his faith” while awaiting salvation. So, God spoke to His people of old through His prophet Habakkuk. And today, He speaks to us through His Word. The Law crushes us and leaves us exposed in our sin, but His Gospel comes in as the healing balm to rescue us. Christ is given to us through the Word and Sacraments, as He heals our brokenness, reconciling us to the Father. This is the promise faith holds onto.
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