Day 1 - Lord's Day (Sunday) - The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary , 2023-2024 - Logos

 February 25

Lesson 13 (KJV)

Faith in God’s Purpose

Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 29:8–14

Background Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5–2:5

Habakkuk 2:1–5

1 I will stand upon my watch, set me upon the tower, and watch to see what he will say unto me and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his lifted soul is not upright in him, but the just shall live by his faith.

5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people.

Key Text

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.—Habakkuk 2:3

Faith That Pleases God

Unit 3: The Righteous Live by Faith

Lessons 10–13

Lesson Aims

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

1. Describe the dialogue between Habakkuk and God.

2. Contrast the first half of Habakkuk 2:4 with the second half of that verse in light of Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:37–38.

3. State a commitment of “yet I will rejoice in the Lord” despite lingering and personal negative situations.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. “Can You Hear Me Now?”

B. Lesson Context: The Man and His Times

C. Lesson Context: The Book

I. One Conversation (Habakkuk 2:1–3)

A. The Prophet Waits (v. 1)

B. The Lord Responds (vv. 2–3)

Make It Plain

Breakup

II. Two People (Habakkuk 2:4–5)

A. The Prideful, Part 1 (v. 4a)

B. The Faithful (v. 4b)

C. The Prideful, Part 2 (v. 5)

Conclusion

A. Questioning God

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Assyria	Uh-sear-ee-uh.
Assyrians	Uh-sear-e-unz.
Carchemish	Kar-key-mish.
Ecclesiastes	Ik-leez-ee-as-teez.
Galatians	Guh-lay-shunz.
Habakkuk	Huh-back-kuk.

What Do You Think? How can a believer “stand watch” to receive God’s word? Digging Deeper How do the directives of Colossians 3:15–17 inform your answer in this regard?

What Do You Think? How could the practice of writing in a journal provide insights into the ways that God has answered your prayers? Digging Deeper What steps do you need to take to begin this practice?

 

What Do You Think? How can you practice patience regarding the Lord’s answers to your prayers? Digging Deeper How might the Holy Spirit use other people in your life to help you develop patience?

 

What Do You Think? In what ways can you live by faith in the upcoming week? Digging Deeper How does the Hall of Faith passage in Hebrews 11:1–12:3 inform your answer?

Conclusion

A. Questioning God

Is it OK to question God’s (apparent) actions or inactions? The dependable answer is, “It depends.” We see God tolerating, even welcoming, questions in numerous places (examples: Judges 20:18; James 1:5; 4:2). One thing God does not accept, however, are inquiries that question His justice (see Job 40:8; Ezekiel 18:25–29; Jeremiah 2:29). The prophet Habakkuk came close to doing that. Consider the following thumbnail sketch of the book:

Question 1: Why do you, O God, tolerate the sins of Your people?

Response 1: Don’t worry about it—I’m sending the Babylonians to punish them.

Question 2: How is it fair to use the less righteous to punish the more righteous?

Response 2: Don’t worry about it—the Babylonians will get theirs too.

God’s ending of the discussion: Be quiet!

When our suffering does not seem “fair,” there are a lot of questions we might naturally ask. God was under no obligation to answer Habakkuk’s questions, and He is not obligated to answer ours. Habakkuk needed faith to trust the Lord’s plans, regardless of whether or not those plans made human sense.

God reminded Habakkuk that a life of faithfulness was most important. And the faith we are talking about isn’t “blind faith”—a faith where one merely believes. Instead, the faith we are discussing is based on evidence. God has a long track record of faithfulness to His promises. Upon that track record is where our faith is based. Such faith trusts God’s control in all circumstances. As a result, we can be secure in Him, regardless of whether or not we understand His plans.

 

What Do You Think? What do you find most challenging about today’s lesson? Digging Deeper What change in thought, word, or behavior will you make based on that challenge?

B. Prayer

God, as we face life’s hardships and want to question You, help us have the confidence of faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

The righteous will live by faith.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 Andrew Wood, Jon Miller, and Mark Taylor, “Faith in God’s Purpose,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024, ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, vol. 71, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2024), 223–224.