Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETIC BOOKS
LAMENTATIONS: Introduction and Simple Outline
(Lee and Carroll adapted)

Habakkuk prophesied either in the latter part of Josiah's reign or shortly after in Jehoiakim's reign, about 620-610 BC (Whitcomb). At any event, the captivity is seen fast approaching in this book. Although beginning after Jeremiah, Habakkuk's ministry is completed quite a while before Jeremiah's. See 2 Kings 22:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 34:1-36:8.

1. THE FIRST CONVERSATION 1:1-11

   1. The perplexed inquiry of the prophet 1 -4
      Perplexed because Jehovah seems indifferent to sin in Judah.

   2. Jehovah's answer 5-11
      Jehovah explains that He is not ignorant of or indifferent to Judah's sin, but is about to bring the Babylonians against Judah to punish her sin!
       

2. THE SECOND CONVERSATION 1:12-2:20

   1. Again the perplexed inquiry of the prophet 1:12-2:1
      Jehovah's reply solved the first difficulty, but raised another: How could a holy God use a nation, more wicked than Judah, to judge His chosen people?

   2. Jehovah's righteous reply 2:2-20
      He will, in turn, severely judge Babylon for her arrogance and cruelty. Five woes are pronounced against her (5-20). In the meantime, faith patiently waits until a day when God's rule shall encompass the earth (14), and all shall worship Him (20).
       

3. THE PROPHET'S PRAYER AND PRAISE 3 (Thirtle's Theory)

   1. The petition: "Since trouble must come, --in wrath, remember mercy" 1-2

   2. The praise: A figurative description of the majesty of the Lord at Sinai, and in going before Israel to possess Canaan 3-15

   3. The prostration: The effect upon the prophet of the remembrance of these things 16

   4. The proper view of providence: "YET, I will rejoice in the Lord alway" (Phil. 4:4) 17-19

"Mason's Notes"

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