God wants justice
Lesson Scripture:
Habakkuk 2: 6-14
Lesson Aims: to explain
the book of Habakkuk, to
Fecognize that God is always
concerned about justice and
righteousness, and to faith
fully persevere during great
suffering.
Background: What we
know about today's prophet
comes from the book
penned by him. More than
likely, his writing came at
the end of Josiah's reign or
at the beginning of
Jehoiakim's (evil king).
Prophets before him along
with his contemporaries
(Jeremiah and Zephaniah)
spoke out about idolatry,
injustice, corruption, and
greed. Habakkuk's message
was a little different from
the others. He acknowl
edged all of Judah's sins but
he struggled with the man
ner in which God would
bring judgment against
them. His book was more of
a conversation with God that
ultimately led him "to find a
personal response that will
sustain him during difficult
times" (Richards' Complete
Bible Handbook).
Lesson: This minor
prophet's book is only three
chapters long. Its theme is
eloquently expressed in 2:4,
"the just shall live by faith."
When the historical back
drop of this period is exam
ined we can understand
Habakkuk's struggle with
"God's silence." In chapter
1, the prophet complains to
God about His inactivity. It
appears that He is tolerant of
wrongdoing because noth
ing has b?en done to the
oppressors (princes, judges,
prophets, priests) in Judah.
God responds in verses 5- 1 1
by informing him that the
Chaldeans (Babylonians)
are being prepared to punish
Judah. Now he complains
that a more wicked nation
will punish a less wicked
one (verses 12-17). God's
response this time explains
the hidden processes of
judgment. "A testimony to
the moral nature of the uni
verse is planted deep in each
personality and in the inner
workings of society"
(Richards' Complete Bible
Handbook). After Habakkuk
works through this, he is
commissioned to tell the
people the principles
learned. Our lesson today is
a part of those principles
(2:4-20). The six principles
refer to the Chaldeans but
can be applied to any
oppressive forces - individu
ally and/or corporately.
Don't forget that "woe" is
translated as great dissatis
faction! Principle one is "the
more you get, the more you
want." Humanity is never
satisfied when greed is the
motivation (verses 4 and 5).
When mistreatment is the
order of the day, those mis
treated people will rise up
against their wicked oppres
sors is principle two(v?Kes
6-8). If you study history it
teaches tjiis principle. No
matter the size or height no
place is secure from the
oppressed people (verses 9
11), the third principle.
Principle four states that the
wicked's monuments will
not last for the whole earth
is destined to be filled with
the Lord's glory (verses 12
14). Their disgrace is cer
tain and there is no escape
from the oppressed (verses
15-20). These lessons are
principles five and six.
Habakkuk begins to pray for
quick judgment in chapter
three. After he reviews
God's judgments in the past
he calms down and con
cludes that he will rejoice in
the Lord of his salvation.
Like Job who declares in
13:15 "Though He slay me,
yet will I trust Him". The
Lord is his strength who
makes his feet sure footed as
the deer to climb heights.
Application: The world
says "when times get tough ,
tie a knot in the rope and
hang on." Job and Habakkuk
say "trust in God"! On this
side of the Jordan anything
can happen due to sin (cor
porate and/or individual)
that will bring about great
suffering. Will you lose
hope and wonder what God
is doing? Studying the
Scriptures, not just reading
them will reinforce our faith
that empowers us to endure.
Our world is in turmoil and
it doesn't matter if it's a
democracy or not; a capital
ist economy or not; the
haves are getting richer at
the expense of the have nots;
Corruption and injustice are
running rampant and it
seems like God is doing
nothing! Keep the faith, God
is working it out. He does
care and will bring judgment
in His own way. Do the right
thing found in His Word,
trust Him and persevere!
The death of a loved one is enough
of a burden without it becoming a
financial one, too.
Plan ahead and save.
Peace of Mind ? est. 1979
For more information contact:
(336) 788-4959
Macedonia Holiness Church Of God
Of The Apostolic Faith, Inc. a
Sunday Services
Sunday School
Morning Worship . . .
M.Y.P.U
Wednesday Services
Prayer & Bible Study
. 9:45 a.nw
11:00 a.m.
. 6:30 p.m.
. 7:30 p.m.
MgrU.WiK.Sr.
DJX;S.TD. -Pastor
4111 Whitfield Drive
Phone: 336-767-3700
Feu: 336-767-7006
Grace United Holiness Church
129 Furlong Industrial Drive
Keroersville, NC 27284
PO Box 1163
336-992-3190
Elder Ricky B. Wilson
Services at Grace
Sunday Morning Prayer.. .9:30 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 p.m.
Morning Worship 11:15 a.m.
Evening Service 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday Evening 7:00 p.m.
Scriptures
Acts 2:4
Acts 2:37-40
Acts 10:4448
Acts 19:1-6
For Directions Visit Our Website www.graceuhc.com
A I me la Miller, seated, center, with members of her family.
Bless the Children gives appreciation award
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Almeta Miller was presented a special appre
ciation award for 20 years of services to the Bless
the Children Program/Family Outreach
Ministries of Winston-Salem on July 7. During
this presentation, Robert Miller celebrated his
72nd birthday.
Johnell and Debra Hunter, founders and gen
eral overseers of Bless the Children
Program/Family Outreach would like to thank
Winston-Salem and the entire Piedmont Triad
area for all of their support. It has been 23 years
of continuous services to thousands. The min
istries are happy to stay in the heart of giving and
discipleship.
The Bless the Children Program/Family
Outreach Ministry has grown and become very
successful with over 12 neighborhood sites
throughout Winston-Salem, Clemmons,
Kemersville, Oldtown, Oak Ridge and soon to
serve in Lexington and High Point. Many youth
and families have been blessed in so many ways.
The ministry feels it is their duty to reach out and
help as the Bible plainly teaches us all. They will
be issuing an announcement about their new
Family Outreach Center and annex complex
sometime between July and August.
For more information about their services and
how you and your family can become a part of or
volunteer, please contact Johnell or Debra Hunter
at 788-0974 or write to Bless the Children
Program/Family Outreach Center, Box 17, 1001
S. Marshall St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 .
Week of 07/11/07 thru 07/17/07
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