Habakkuk and Zephaniah

I really have been reading lately. Just not blogging. We had a marathon baking day yesterday and I have not been feeling well. So here is two books in one blog.

Habakkuk - Wait!
The thing that struck me about Habakkuk is the change that occurs in his life throughout the book. We go from a man who is complaining to God to one who is saying that he will wait for the deliverance of God and rejoices. At the beginning of the book we hear Habakkuk's lament or complaint to God. Not just once but twice. God responds in each case. The second response of God is very interesting. That is where Habakkuk is told to be patient. He tells Habakkuk that the "righteous shall live by faith." It is interesting because that verse is quoted in the New Testament in some form 4 different times.
Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Ephesians 2:8 and Hebrews 10:38-39
I never realized those familiar passages were actually referencing an Old Testament verse. In Habakkuk's prayer in Chapter 3 he says he will "quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us." He has gone from a complainer to a faithful prophet. The last thing we hear of Habakkuk is rejoicing. "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will take joy in the God of my salvation. god, the LORD, is my strength, he makes my feet like the deer's, he makes me tread on my high places.


Zephaniah - "I will"
When I read this book I am struck with how faithful our God is. When he says he will do something he does it. In this book the phrase "I will" appears 23 times. Eleven times in Chapter 1 and 12 times in Chapter 3. The "I will" refers to God saying he will do something. I just think it is amazing how faithful our God is. Every promise in the Bible has come true and will come true. So when it says that God will do a good work in me then that is true. I have a purpose. Here are just a sampling of some of the "I will" statements in Zephaniah.

"I will"
sweep away man and beast
cut off mankind
stretch out my hand against Judah
punish the officials and the king's sons
search Jerusalem with lamps
punish the men who are complacent
bring distress on mankind

change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech
gather those of you who mourn for the festival
save the lame
change their shame into praise
bring you in
make you renowned and praised
The first group is in Chapter 1 and the second group is in Chapter 3. The difference is remarkable. Condemnation to deliverance. Our God is truly awesome.

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