Habakkuk's prophecy is different than any other Minor Prophet because it is a conversation between God and the prophet. In our passage we see a cry of anguish from a man who loved justice.  Habakkuk had a problem about the being and character of God.  He was a troubled man, and he wanted to harmonize what he saw in Judah and what he believed about God.  He saw Judah backslidden.  The nation had turned from and for God.  The elect people had given themselves over to false gods and ungodly pursuits.  The prophet wanted to know how God could tolerate this and still be God.  Was God dead?  Why was He silent?  Perhaps God doesn’t answer prayer.

Our passage is broken up into 3 main sections:

1. Habakkuk’s Cry (v. 1-2)
2. Habakkuk’s Question (v. 3)
3. Habakkuk’s Conclusion (v. 4)

Our situation and circumstance today are similar to what Habakkuk saw and experienced. We stand today in the 21st century, and we can look at God with almost the same quizzical expression in our brain and say, “God, why is it like it is? Why is it that we constantly cry out about these things, and nothing ever happens? They only get worse.”

In our confusion, in our questions, when life doesn’t make sense, lets not forget that God has done everything to prove his love for us so that we would remain faithful to him. When suffering and when life does not make sense, look to the cross as the eternal monument of God’s love and mercy for you. God has not promised to give us all the answers. God has given us the cross as the answer of his love in spite of life’s confusions.

Getting Started                          

1. Children often ask the best questions. A 7-year-old girl was sitting in a restaurant with her parents when she asked her father this question, “Why are we here, Daddy?” Her father responded, “Well, we’re here to have lunch!” The girl quickly replied, “No, no. Why are we here ON THIS EARTH?” What is the funniest, most honest question you have heard from a child?

 Read Habakkuk 1:1-4

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

 Digging Deeper

3. What does the text tell us about Habakkuk? And how would you describe Habakkuk’s attitude in this chapter?
4. In Chapter 1v1-4, what questions does Habakkuk ask of God? What is he concerned about?
5. In our passage, Habakkuk asks the Lord why He allowed the people to sin without consequences. Is Habakkuk being prideful to talk to God like this? Should he have remained quiet rather than testing God? Why or why not?

The Heart of the Matter

6. One thing we can learn from Habakkuk is that those who trust in God can and do  question God. At what point can our questioning become sinful?
7. Are there any lessons we can learn from Habakkuk about prayer?
8. Has there been a time where you learned something new about God’s character in His Word, that made a real impact and difference in your life and subsequent decisions? Please share with the group.