Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a minor prophet, and his book was one of ‘The Twelve.’ His name means the wrestler (like the meaning of Israel), and he grappled with the destruction of Judah that God revealed was coming. His contemporaries were Nahum, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah. He authored this book about 606 B.C., soon before the Babylonians invaded Judah; Judah fully went into exile in 586 B.C. First, he complains his own people are wicked and deserve punishment in the first four verses in chapter 1. God answers him that he is sending Babylon to punish Judah for their sins. Habakkuk’s second complaint is why God would use those more wicked than his own people to discipline them. God responds with a verse quoted three times in the NT (Romans 1: 17; Galatians 3: 11; Hebrews 10: 38). This concept was previously noted also in Genesis 15: 6. Then Habakkuk prays and ends up trusting God no matter the outcome (3: 16-19).

In chapter 1, Habakkuk cries out to the Lord for justice since violence and destruction are before him (1: 2-3). Justice is perverted (1: 3). The Lord graciously answers Habakkuk and tells him he is raising up the Babylonians (1: 6). They will be his instrument to discipline his people, even though Babylon is ruthless, impetuous, dreaded, promotes their own honor, and is bent on violence (1: 6-11). Habakkuk recognizes God’s eternity, holiness, purity, and that he does not tolerate wrong (1: 12-13). He does not understand why God would use these cruel, ungodly people to discipline the people of God.

In chapter 2, God acknowledges that the Babylonians are puffed up, arrogant, greedy, and never satisfied (2: 4-5). But they will become victims and be disciplined by the Lord also (2: 7-13, 15-19). But the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (2: 14). But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him (2: 20). God is telling Habakkuk that God’s people, the righteous ones must live by faith, despite tough times approaching.

In chapter 3, Habakkuk prays God would in wrath remember mercy (3: 2). Habakkuk surrenders to God’s will because ‘his ways are eternal (3: 6).’ God is creator (3: 8-12) and redeemer (3: 13-15). Habakkuk will wait patiently for the Babylonians to be disciplined (3: 16). Even in his agricultural society, Habakkuk will rejoice and be joyful in the Lord despite loss of crops and livestock. Not only that, but since the Sovereign Lord is his strength, he can run like a deer and soar on the heights (3: 19).