Leaders gain more understanding from listening than speaking. Read Habakkuk 1:1-11.

The book of Habakkuk was written in 607 B. C. (approximately 21 years before the fall of Jerusalem). Habakkuk was a contemporary of Jeremiah who also prophesied in Jerusalem, and Ezekiel, the prophet assigned to prophesy in Babylon to the first group of captives taken to Babylon approximately 30 years before the final fall and destruction of Jerusalem.

Without accountability to God’s established standards it is easy for leaders to abuse their power and influence. Read Daniel 2:1-13.

Nebuchadnezzar was king of ancient Babylon and is often mentioned in the book of Daniel. He followed his father Nabopolassar to the throne after Nabopolassar made Babylon the dominate power of its day by defeating the Assyrians. Nebuchadnezzar’s first notable military victory was over Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. Judah had allied itself with Egypt for this battle and thus became an enemy of Babylon and, in 605, Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem. He took back to Babylon as captives several thousand of their brightest and best including Daniel and King Jehoiakim.