Habakkuk is unique in that it is not an oracle to Israel or to any other nation. Rather, it is the record of a conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and God.
In the first two chapters, Habakkuk argued with God over his ways that seemed unjust, and even unfathomable. But having heard the replies from God, Habakkuk learned that the just must live by faith. There is a beautiful confession of that faith recorded in chapter three.
What does it say?
Habakkuk was troubled by what he saw around him, especially in his own land of Judah. This prophecy is an honest expression of Habakkuk's thoughts and God's answers. First, Habakkuk is concerned that the evil in Judah goes unpunished. God responds by telling Habakkuk that it will be punished by the Babylonians. Habakkuk then asks God how he can use such an evil nation as Babylon to be his tool to punish evil? God answers that Babylon will also be punished for its evil. But while evil will be punished, God tells Habakkuk that the faithful will receive mercy and be rewarded. Habakkuk finally confesses his full trust and joy in God regardless of the present circumstances.
Faces & Places
The prophet Habakkuk lived in Judah toward the end of king Josiah's reign (640-609 B.C.) or at the beginning of king Jehoiakim's (609-598). He was a contemporary of Jeremiah. While this book relates a conversation between Habakkuk and God, its audience is the people of Judah. Mentioned in the book are the Babylonians, the great power to the north that would be used by God to punish sinful Judah.
Key Verses & Themes
Perplexity with the Way Things Are:
Habakkuk 1:2-4 "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 'Violence!' buy you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted."
Faith:
Habakkuk 2:4 "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright - but the righteous will live by his faith."
Joy in the Lord:
Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
So what?
Habakkuk is an expression of honest perplexity. As in the Psalms, in this book we see a man who comes to God with his real thoughts and feelings. It is a reminder to us that God is ready, willing, and able to hear our questions and concerns, whatever they may be. And we must be ready to receive his answers. Habakkuk heard God's answers and responded with unbridled faith. As this book comes to a close (3:17-19), Habakkuk expresses his unqualified joy in the Lord, without regard to circumstances, however perplexing they may be.
