The Book of Habakkuk is one of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. It records a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God concerning injustice in Judah and God’s use of the Babylonians to punish Judah. Some key themes in Habakkuk include living by faith, God’s sovereignty, God’s justice, and waiting patiently on the Lord.
Background
Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah around 600 BC, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim. The Babylonians were growing in power and would soon conquer Judah. Habakkuk grappled with how God could use such a wicked nation to punish His chosen people. The book is structured as a dialogue between Habakkuk and God.
Outline
The Book of Habakkuk can be outlined as follows:
- Habakkuk’s First Complaint (1:1-4)
- God’s Response (1:5-11)
- Habakkuk’s Second Complaint (1:12-2:1)
- God’s Response (2:2-20)
- Habakkuk’s Prayer (3:1-19)
Key Themes
Faith
A key verse is Habakkuk 2:4 which says, “the righteous shall live by his faith.” This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament highlighting the importance of living by faith in God rather than trusting in oneself.
God’s Sovereignty
A major theme in Habakkuk is God’s complete sovereignty and control over the nations. Habakkuk grapples with how God could use evil nations to accomplish His purposes, but ultimately submits to God’s wisdom.
God’s Justice
Habakkuk questions why God allows injustice amongst His own people. God assures Habakkuk that He sees the injustice and it will not go unpunished. Wickedness will not prevail.
Waiting on the Lord
Habakkuk learns to wait patiently on God even when he does not understand all of God’s plans. His faith grew as he learned to trust in God’s wisdom and timing (Habakkuk 2:3).
Summary
Habakkuk’s First Complaint (1:1-4)
Habakkuk opens his dialogue with God lamenting the violence and injustice he sees in Judah. He asks God how long He will allow this to continue before stepping in to punish Judah (1:2-4).
God’s Response (1:5-11)
God answers that He is raising up the Babylonians to come in and conquer Judah. Their swift and dreaded army will punish Judah for their sins (1:6-11).
Habakkuk’s Second Complaint (1:12-2:1)
Perplexed at God’s response, Habakkuk questions how God could use a nation even more wicked than Judah to enact His judgment. He wonders how this is consistent with God’s holiness and asks for God’s mercy (1:12-2:1).
God’s Response (2:2-20)
God instructs Habakkuk to write down this vision clearly so all can understand. The fulfillment may seem slow in coming, but God promises it will come at the appointed time (2:2-3). God pronounces five woes on the greed, aggression, dishonest gain, violence, and idolatry of the Babylonians (2:6-20).
Habakkuk’s Prayer (3:1-19)
Habakkuk responds with a prayer extolling God’s power and majesty seen in past acts of salvation and judgment (3:3-15). Despite the calamity coming on Judah, Habakkuk expresses faith and joy in God’s strength and salvation (3:17-19).
Key Verses
Here are some notable verses from Habakkuk:
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2)
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” (Habakkuk 1:5)
“the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4)
“But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20)
“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)
Lessons
Here are some key lessons from the Book of Habakkuk:
- God is sovereign, even when we don’t understand all His plans.
- Waiting patiently on God and trusting His timing is important, even through difficult circumstances.
- Sin and injustice will be punished either in this life or the next.
- Living by faith is key – trusting God’s character and promises.
- God judges evil, using even secular nations to accomplish His purposes.
- Praise and worship are powerful weapons against discouragement and fear.
Habakkuk’s Relevance Today
The Book of Habakkuk offers much wisdom relevant for Christians today:
- When we see injustice, we can come to God with our complaints, trusting He hears us.
- God has His own timing and ways for dealing with evil – we must trust His wisdom.
- Waiting on God requires faith – believing His promises and relying on His strength.
- Praise and worship focus our eyes back on God and off our circumstances.
- Complaining to God is OK – He can handle our laments and cares.
- God uses all things, even evil empires, to ultimately accomplish His purposes.
Like Habakkuk, believers today can have confident faith in God and His control over all nations and rulers, even when we don’t fully comprehend all God is doing.
Conclusion
The Book of Habakkuk provides a powerful example of taking our cares and complaints to God in prayer. Despite his confusion over God’s plans, Habakkuk learned to wait patiently on God, finding strength and joy in His sovereignty and ultimate justice. The righteous can live by faith, even when times are difficult, because God is in control.