Habakkuk

The Book of Habakkuk is a conversation between the prophet and God. It goes something like this:

Habakkuk: Your people are doing great evil. How long will you let this go on?

God: Soon I am going to call the Chaldean empire to punish them.

Habakkuk: The Chaldeans!? They’re much worse! How can you punish wickedness with even greater wickedness?

God: When it’s done, I will punish the Chaldeans and restore My people.

Habakkuk: I am afraid of what You are doing; yet I am determined to trust You.

Historical Context

Habakkuk lived during the final years of Judah’s decline.

In his youth, Habakkuk saw the revival under King Josiah, as the nation rededicated itself to the Lord.

But as soon as Josiah died, the decline was severe. Egypt had invaded from the south and placed a puppet king on Josiah’s throne. The new king made citizens slaves to support his appetites¹. He led Israel into idol worship and its horrible sins, including human sacrifice².

Then Babylon, also known as Chaldea, invaded from the north. Much land was lost to their encroachments. It seemed the final destruction of Jerusalem was just over the horizon.

Corruption was everywhere. The kings led the charge in foolish and evil actions, listening to God’s clear guidance but repeatedly ignoring it.

Habakkuk’s Complaint

Everywhere the prophet looks, he sees people committed to evil. Lies, fighting, injustice, violence.

How long, Lord, have I called for help,
And You do not hear?
I cry out to You, “Violence!”
Yet You do not save.
Why do You make me see disaster,
And make me look at destitution?
Yes, devastation and violence are before me;
Strife exists and contention arises.
Therefore the Law is ignored,
And justice is never upheld.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore justice comes out confused.

– Habakkuk 1:2-4

God’s Promise to Act

God answers the prophet:

Look among the nations! Watch!
Be horrified! Be frightened speechless!
For I am accomplishing a work in your days—
You would not believe it even if you were told³!
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,
That grim and impetuous people
Who march throughout the earth,
To take possession of dwelling places that are not theirs.

– Habakkuk 1:5-6

“Judah won’t get away with it forever,” God replies; “Judgment is coming.” He goes on for several stanzas, talking about how fierce the Chaldeans are.

They are terrifying and feared;
Their justice and authority originate with themselves.

– Habakkuk 1:7

All of them come for violence.
Their horde of faces moves forward.
They gather captives like sand.

– Habakkuk 1:9

Habakkuk’s Challenge

Habakkuk had cried out for justice, but being conquered by Chaldea was not the solution he had in mind.

It seems so unjust! Yes, there is great evil in Judah, but the solution isn’t to promote the even greater evil in Chaldea!

Habakkuk begins by acknowledging God always does what is right.

Are You not from time everlasting,
Lord, my God, my Holy One? …
Your eyes are too pure to look at evil,
And You cannot look at harm favorably.

– Habakkuk 1:12a, 13a

Yet why would God introduce a greater evil to solve a lesser one?

You, Lord, have appointed them [Chaldea] to deliver judgment;
And You, O Rock, have destined them to punish [us]. …
Why do You look favorably at those who deal treacherously?
Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up
Those more righteous than they?

– Habakkuk 1:12b, 13b

God Answers

But not right away. There is a pause, and Habakkuk must be patient for God’s answer.

I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the watchtower;
And I will keep watch to see what He will say to me,
And how I may reply when I am [corrected].

– Habakkuk 2:1

Why did God make Habakkuk wait for His answer? Perhaps because what the answer promised would itself not come as quickly as Habakkuk wished.

Finally God answers,

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it delays, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.”

– Habakkuk 2:3

History records that Habakkuk did in fact live to see this judgment. He is said to have accompanied those taken in the Babylonian Captivity.

Whether in Judah or Chaldea, we are required to refuse sin and trust God.

“Behold, as for the impudent one,
His soul is not right within him;
But the righteous one will live by his faith⁴.”

– Habakkuk 2:4

Though punished, people in Judah will survive to see Chaldea recompensed.

“Will all of these [Judah] not take up a song of ridicule against him [Chaldea],
Even a saying and insinuations against him
And say, ‘Woe to him who increases what is not his—
For how long—and makes himself rich with debts!’
Will your creditors not rise up suddenly,
And those who collect from you awaken?
Indeed, you will become plunder for them.
Since you have looted many nations,
All the rest of the peoples will loot you—
Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land,
To the town and all its inhabitants.”

– Habakkuk 2:6-8

God continues about Chaldea’s coming well-deserved punishment, ending by comparing trust in idols versus trust in God.

“What benefit is a carved image when its maker has carved it,
Or a cast metal image, a teacher of falsehood? …
But the Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth be silent before Him.”

– Habakkuk 2:18a, 20

Habakkuk’s Song

After contemplating God’s answer, the prophet composed a song of prayer to God, expressing his admiration for God and his determination to trust God even if things don’t play out as the prophet would prefer.

He starts by saying even though he is afraid, he welcomes God’s promised judgment.

Lord, I have heard the report about You, and I was afraid.
Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years,
In the midst of the years make it known.
In anger remember mercy.

– Habakkuk 3:2

He continues at length about God’s greatness, His power, and the effectiveness of His judgment.

His splendor covers the heavens,
And the earth is full of His praise. ...
He stood and caused the earth to shudder;
He looked and caused the nations to jump.
Yes, the everlasting mountains were shattered,
The ancient hills collapsed.
His paths are everlasting. …
In indignation You marched through the earth;
In anger You trampled the nations.
You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For the salvation of Your anointed.
You smashed the head of the house of evil
To uncover him from foot to neck.

– Habakkuk 3:3b, 6, 12-13

God’s judgment is not to be taken lightly. Habakkuk is rightly afraid.

I heard, and my inner parts trembled;
At the sound, my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble;
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will attack us.

– Habakkuk 3:16

But even though this is not the path Habakkuk would have chosen, it is God’s choice, and so he knows, it is the right path. Habakkuk is determined to trust God, even if things don’t go as he wished.

Even if the fig tree does not blossom,
And there is no fruit on the vines,
If the yield of the olive fails,
And the fields produce no food,
Even if the flock disappears from the fold,
And there are no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will triumph in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like deer’s feet,
And has me walk on my high places.

– Habakkuk 3:17-19

Even if judgment comes and things are horrible for a time, keep trusting God!

Epilogue

Everywhere we look, we see things that are not as they should be. Why doesn’t God do something about it? Is God even paying attention? How can He let things be this way?

Yes, God is paying attention. He is diligently working, often in ways beyond our understanding.

We can trust Him. His way of handling things is always the right way.

Like Habakkuk, even when we are confused and afraid, let us be determined to trust God!