Welcome to BibleBum where we are exploring the entire Bible in one year to better learn how to follow God’s instructions and discover the purpose for our lives.  The BibleBum blog uses The One Year Chronological Bible, the New Living Translation version.  At the end of each day’s reading, Rob, a cultural history aficionado and seminary graduate, answers questions from Leigh An, the blogger host, about the daily scripture.  To start from the beginning, click on “Index” and select Day 1.

Habakkuk 1-3:19

Zephaniah 1-2:7

Questions & Observations

Q. Can you tell us anything about Habakkuk? Was he a prophet?

A. Habakkuk and Zephaniah are considered to be part of the group of Minor Prophets known as “the twelve.”  In the Jewish Bible, each of these twelve writings (with Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) is part of one book.  Christians Bibles consider them as separate “books” but keep the group arrangement.  The twelve writings are included in (roughly) chronological order: Hosea first, Malachi last.

As to information on Habakkuk himself, we know almost nothing except for the fact that he was most likely a contemporary of the “major prophet” Jeremiah and fellow “minor” Nahum.  He is generally understood of being the “voice” of the small group of faithful Jews in Judah (possibly Jerusalem) that seek to understand why God is planning to bring about their destruction.  But that’s really all we know.

Q. (Habakkuk 3:17-18): Habakkuk sounds a little like Job here.  (Job left an impression on me.)  Although Habakkuk sees no signs of hope, he is trusting and rejoicing in the Lord.

A. Through Habakkuk’s visions/conversations with God, he comes to conclude that God is being just and that He will be faithful.  That last chapter is an astonishing psalm of praise.

Q. Can you tell us anything about Zephaniah?

A. Only what the writer chooses to tell us, but in this case, that’s actually something.  It appears that Zephaniah was related to the royal family, and was a great-grandson of Hezekiah the king.  The style of the letter also indicates that he understood royal politics and was most likely familiar with the earlier writings of Isaiah and Amos, both of which he alludes to in his book.

Q. (2:6-7) I welcome this glimpse of calm along the Philistine coast after the turmoil.

A. God’s message indicates that this land controlled by the sea-faring Philistines will revert to pasture land and be controlled by Israel in the aftermath of all the impending destruction.