Lord's Day - The International KJV Sunday school Lesson

March 8

Lesson 2 (KJV)

A Prayer for Justice

Devotional Reading: Psalm 73:1–3, 21–28

Background Scripture: Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk 1:1–4, 12–14

1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

12 Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

Key Verse

Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?—Habakkuk 1:13b

Justice and the prophets

Unit 1: God Requires Justice

Lessons 1–5

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize Habakkuk’s two complaints.

2. Explain the specific issue of justice with which Habakkuk was wrestling.

3. Watch and pray to see how God is working in difficult situations this week.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. What a (Sometimes) Wonderful World

B. Lesson Context

I. Dilemma (Habakkuk 1:1–4)

A. God’s Inaction (vv. 1, 2)

B. The World’s Iniquity (vv. 3, 4)

II. Deliberations (Habakkuk 1:12–14)

A. Unmatched Sovereignty (vv. 12, 13a)

Turning a Blind Eye

B. Unexplained Silence (vv. 13b, 14)

Power in Numbers?

Conclusion

A. The Prophetic Job

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Asaph	Ay-saff.
Assyrians	Uh-sear-e-unz.
Chaldeans	Kal-dee-unz.
Habakkuk	Huh-back-kuk.
Nineveh	Nin-uh-vuh.