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Flourish Bible Study
Habakkuk: Learning to Live by Faith
A 10-Week Study of the Book of Habakkuk, Great for Women’s Groups Though only three chapters long, the Old Testament book of Habakkuk overflows with plagues, violence, and pleas for deliverance. Why does God ever allow evil to flourish? That’s what Habakkuk seeks to understand, and as he waits for the Lord, he discovers that God is faithful to deliver his people from every trouble in his own way and time. In this 10-week Bible study for women, Lydia Brownback explores Habakkuk verse by verse, addressing the complex subject of God’s judgment and wrath. Written for individuals or groups, each lesson helps women understand why God allows pain and illness, and how he deals with unrepentant sin. This study also teaches how to wait faithfully for God to answer prayer.
128 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
28 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Brownback
53 books130 followersLydia Brownback (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) serves as a senior editor at Crossway in Wheaton, Illinois, and an author and speaker at women’s conferences around the world. Lydia previously served as writer in residence for Alistair Begg and as producer of the Bible Study Hour radio program with James Montgomery Boice.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 18, 2023
This was my first Bible study by Lydia Brownback and I appreciated her gentle leading and guiding, especially into other passages of Scripture as well as the historical context she provided to help me correctly interpret a minor prophet book that I have most often read through and overlooked.
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 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." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 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." (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
May 24, 2024
I loved this study! Yes it was hard at times but it broke down the verses & referenced many others to help bring understanding. It was all biblical & objective. It really helps you understand what is happening & the context!
July 21, 2025
This is my first “work book” style study I’ve done by Lydia Brownback. I really love having questions within a study to make sure I am properly processing information instead of just skimming the passages. I loved this book and I loved Habakkuk.
This summed up my takeaway nicely: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
4 stars because I didn’t quite understand a few of the questions. It sometimes felt like she was reaching a little bit for filler. But really solid, wonderful material here. Highly recommend!
This summed up my takeaway nicely: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
4 stars because I didn’t quite understand a few of the questions. It sometimes felt like she was reaching a little bit for filler. But really solid, wonderful material here. Highly recommend!
June 10, 2024
A deep, rich study of Habakkuk and how he navigated terrifying visions of the future, and God’s seeming absence.
What I learned -
- When I’m doubting God or His choices, I need to bring those doubts to Him and study His character. The more time I spend getting to know God better, the more He will teach me His nature, which almost always provides clarity and peace.
- Look back (at all God has done and what He’s brought me through) and it will plant my feet firmer in the present and guide my future steps.
Highly recommend this study!
What I learned -
- When I’m doubting God or His choices, I need to bring those doubts to Him and study His character. The more time I spend getting to know God better, the more He will teach me His nature, which almost always provides clarity and peace.
- Look back (at all God has done and what He’s brought me through) and it will plant my feet firmer in the present and guide my future steps.
Highly recommend this study!
June 14, 2024
I’m not sure if 3 stars is fair, there was a lot of great in this study but I prefer a more inductive approach where you’re constantly looking at the individual verses AND the big picture. I don’t think she ever had you read through the entire book, or even entire chapter, at one time. She would just pull out two or three verses at a time and talk about them. Again, a good study, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it, but I also will probably go back and do it again in a more inductive study way and see what more I can learn.
December 13, 2023
I learned a lot about Habakkuk.
January 15, 2025
There were many incredible parts of this study, I had no idea how little I knew. Lydia, excellent work. Habakkuk is phenomenal.
April 29, 2025
Studied Habakkuk with a student this semester— we loved it! Lydia’s studies are so great, and we were very encouraged in our faith studying about waiting well for the Lord. Always recommend!
March 27, 2025
I read the Old Testament book of Habakkuk and completed this 10-week Bible study along with it for school. It was very good! I got to take a close up look at the minor prophet Habakkuk as a person, and observe his interactions with God. It was actually super interesting to learn about the Chaldeans (also known as the Babylonians), whom God would later use to bring down his righteous judgement on Israel. Even though Habakkuk followed God, he still had doubts and worries about what was going to happen when the time for judgement came. It really struck deep that he still trusted and waited on the Lord to work, even though he knew there were going to be bumps in the road. The study was super in-depth and made studying Habakkuk a lot more interesting. I would recommend it!
July 16, 2022
Fabulous study on the book of Habakkuk!
November 18, 2024
Sadly, few people are familiar with the three chapter prophetic book of Habakkuk but it is a treasure drove for the many who ask "why and how long, oh Lord?" Brownback, wisely leads her readers through these and other difficult questions. She leans on the wisdom of many theologians and acknowledges their work as she does in each of her Fourish Series studies.
The format is easy to follow and the women in our study appreciate how lovely and pleasing to the eye is each page. She includes helpful timelines and other study aids that allow the student to dig deeper to gain greater understanding of the book's historical and cultural setting.
On completion, our discussion group was in agreement that we all need to learn to wait patiently and expectantly for the fulfillment of all God's promises. The prophet Habakkuk's hope of deliverance is well-founded, as should be ours. In this book, we learn more of the grace of patiently waiting in hope, with certainty that God is at work and will either deliver us from trouble or transform us in the midst of trouble. We were greatly encouraged by this study.
The author includes links to other resources and commentaries. I appreciate her references to extra biblical literature and poetry. This stanza from Gerard Moultrie's "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent" is especially gripping.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
Thank you, again, Lydia Brownback! Please keep writing, we appreciate your giftedness!
The format is easy to follow and the women in our study appreciate how lovely and pleasing to the eye is each page. She includes helpful timelines and other study aids that allow the student to dig deeper to gain greater understanding of the book's historical and cultural setting.
On completion, our discussion group was in agreement that we all need to learn to wait patiently and expectantly for the fulfillment of all God's promises. The prophet Habakkuk's hope of deliverance is well-founded, as should be ours. In this book, we learn more of the grace of patiently waiting in hope, with certainty that God is at work and will either deliver us from trouble or transform us in the midst of trouble. We were greatly encouraged by this study.
The author includes links to other resources and commentaries. I appreciate her references to extra biblical literature and poetry. This stanza from Gerard Moultrie's "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent" is especially gripping.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
Thank you, again, Lydia Brownback! Please keep writing, we appreciate your giftedness!
March 10, 2023
This is an excellent Bible study by Lydia Brownback on the book of Habakkuk. The book of Habakkuk is only three chapters long, and yet this Bible study takes ten lessons to make its way through the book which means that the study really soaks in the book of Habakkuk bit by bit. Brownback does an excellent job of interweaving passages from other parts of the Bible. Through this study, you understand God's providence throughout all of life. You see the hardships and seeming unfairness in this world and see that it is all part of God's plan. It is wonderful to see how Habakkuk's attitude changes from one of bitterness and anger to one of complete reliance upon God - something that we all need.
This Bible study also includes charts that show Habakkuk's place in Biblical history, when the prophets wrote during the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, a reading plan that includes supplemental reading, and a chronology of Old Testament kings and prophets. This is an excellent Bible study that I highly recommend for either group or individual study.
Lydia Brownback has also written several other Bible studies in the "Flourish" series including Philippians, Esther, 1-2 Peter, Judges, Luke, James, Ephesians, Jonah, and Job.
This Bible study also includes charts that show Habakkuk's place in Biblical history, when the prophets wrote during the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, a reading plan that includes supplemental reading, and a chronology of Old Testament kings and prophets. This is an excellent Bible study that I highly recommend for either group or individual study.
Lydia Brownback has also written several other Bible studies in the "Flourish" series including Philippians, Esther, 1-2 Peter, Judges, Luke, James, Ephesians, Jonah, and Job.
October 4, 2023
How ironic that the book hardly anyone has read answers the question everyone asks: Why does God allow injustice? In his succinct Old Testament book, the prophet Habakkuk wails the question and prays for answers as he learns to live by faith.
This is the theme of Lydia Brownback’s seventh study in the Flourish Series, an approach to Bible study that emphasizes big-picture thinking about God’s overarching narrative in the scriptures while employing deep study of the book of Habakkuk.
A wealth of visual resources allows readers to confidently pronounce complex terminology and place Habakkuk’s prophetic ministry historically and geographically. Set in an era of violence and injustice, Habakkuk’s “How long?” finds its answer in a foreshadowing of gospel hope and his portrayal of a promise-keeping God who is mighty to save.
God keeps his promises, and, therefore, the hope of deliverance is well-founded. From Habakkuk, we learn the grace of waiting in hope, certain that God is at work either to deliver us from trouble or to transform us in the midst of trouble.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
This is the theme of Lydia Brownback’s seventh study in the Flourish Series, an approach to Bible study that emphasizes big-picture thinking about God’s overarching narrative in the scriptures while employing deep study of the book of Habakkuk.
A wealth of visual resources allows readers to confidently pronounce complex terminology and place Habakkuk’s prophetic ministry historically and geographically. Set in an era of violence and injustice, Habakkuk’s “How long?” finds its answer in a foreshadowing of gospel hope and his portrayal of a promise-keeping God who is mighty to save.
God keeps his promises, and, therefore, the hope of deliverance is well-founded. From Habakkuk, we learn the grace of waiting in hope, certain that God is at work either to deliver us from trouble or to transform us in the midst of trouble.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
November 26, 2022
"Habakkuk" is a 10 week Bible study on Habakkuk. Each week is basically just a chapter since it's not subdivided into days. You read a section from Habakkuk, then the author provided an introduction to the theme of those verses. Then she asked study questions about what we read and provided related verses to look up to discover deeper insights into the answers. You use the Bible to further study what a certain word or concept means in the Biblical sense. She then ended with a couple of application questions to help you think out how what we just learned affects your life. Overall, I thought that the author did a good job of providing insights and increasing my understanding of the message in Habakkuk.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
March 9, 2025
This was a great bible study on the book of Habakkuk. I wasn't so sure about it going in, but the way the author helps us understand the text really helped me to love Habakkuk. We serve a God who hears and answers our prayers - although not always the way we hope or want. And when we go through trials of various kinds we can remember that God was faithful to His people in the past and since He is unchanging we can rest in the fact that He will be faithful to us in our current circumstances.
December 12, 2022
4.5! This book was really good and helpful for understanding Habakkuk. I really liked how much it made me dive into scripture and cross references to other passages. I kinda wish it had some sort of answer key to some questions because I couldn’t always tell if I was on the right track when it asked me questions about passages other than Habakkuk.
November 11, 2022
This book was so encouraging! The faith of Old Testament prophets demonstrates true unwavering trust in the Lord regardless of what trials or devastating circumstances they went through. Thought provoking Bible study!
March 26, 2024
Its a good study guide in helping understand this little book about the ancient titular prophet. The author veers seemingly off course a few times, only to return to the main point of each chapter. Good Bible study tool.
April 21, 2023
This is a very timely study.
We had some lively, encouraging discussions together.
We had some lively, encouraging discussions together.
May 2, 2023
Love this bible study on the book of Habakkuk. Highly recommend.
April 5, 2025
Love the historical and cultural contexts added to each week. Super helpful to learn about the ancient Hebrew customs and values; this adds to our understanding of the Bible even more!
April 13, 2025
Very gospel centered and Bible based. I just simply don’t love the format of this author’s Bible studies.
April 17, 2025
Such an amazing study of Habakkuk
December 9, 2022
50/50. I liked 50% of it, but 50% wasn't for me. Interpreting scripture is not for me.
December 2, 2023
We see the heart of the prophet Habakkuk in the Habakkuk: Learning to Live by Faith Bible Study.
It is rare I can state that I learned so much from a book’s introduction, but I say it boldly now. Lydia Brownback’s introduction to this installment of the Flourish Bible Study gives a thorough and easy-to-understand background on the setting, who Habakkuk is, and his place in Bible history.
To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever delved into the book of Habakkuk. Yes, I’ve read through it, but I’ve never really explored it or studied it. That’s one of the (many) things I love about this entire series. It makes me ‘dive deeper.’
Habakkuk asks some deep questions of God. He has complaints. And in his search for answers, we learn that in our most difficult times, God has His reasons, His timing, His answers, His ways.
This 10-week reading plan is perfect for individual or group study. Each week offers assigned scripture passages, supplementary information (such as customs, descriptions, bios…) and study questions to help you dive deeper and apply what you’ve learned to your spiritual life. I love its straightforward approach to studying.
This is the second book I’ve read in the Flourish Bible Study series, and I look forward to reading, studying, and sharing the next one! I’d love to have one for each book of the Bible.
First Lines (Introduction): I hope you’ll pardon such a blunt beginning, but do you ever find yourself thinking that some of God’s ways at times seem to make no sense?
Series: Flourish Bible Study
Genre: Christian Bible Study, Nonfiction
Author: Lydia Brownback
Page Count: 128
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine..
It is rare I can state that I learned so much from a book’s introduction, but I say it boldly now. Lydia Brownback’s introduction to this installment of the Flourish Bible Study gives a thorough and easy-to-understand background on the setting, who Habakkuk is, and his place in Bible history.
To be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever delved into the book of Habakkuk. Yes, I’ve read through it, but I’ve never really explored it or studied it. That’s one of the (many) things I love about this entire series. It makes me ‘dive deeper.’
Habakkuk asks some deep questions of God. He has complaints. And in his search for answers, we learn that in our most difficult times, God has His reasons, His timing, His answers, His ways.
This 10-week reading plan is perfect for individual or group study. Each week offers assigned scripture passages, supplementary information (such as customs, descriptions, bios…) and study questions to help you dive deeper and apply what you’ve learned to your spiritual life. I love its straightforward approach to studying.
This is the second book I’ve read in the Flourish Bible Study series, and I look forward to reading, studying, and sharing the next one! I’d love to have one for each book of the Bible.
First Lines (Introduction): I hope you’ll pardon such a blunt beginning, but do you ever find yourself thinking that some of God’s ways at times seem to make no sense?
Series: Flourish Bible Study
Genre: Christian Bible Study, Nonfiction
Author: Lydia Brownback
Page Count: 128
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine..
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews