There is a short introduction available for the book of Habakkuk. You can read it here.
Key Themes
The book of Habakkuk is a unique prophetic work in the Old Testament, structured as a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk grapples with the problem of evil and injustice, questioning how a just God can allow wickedness to prevail. The key themes include:
- The Problem of Evil and Injustice: A central theme in Habakkuk is the prophet’s struggle with the existence of evil and injustice in the world. Habakkuk questions why God allows the wicked to oppress the righteous and why justice seems to be delayed. This theme reflects the human struggle to understand God’s ways, especially in the face of pervasive wrongdoing.
- God’s Sovereignty and Justice: In response to Habakkuk’s questions, God reveals that He is in control and that His justice will ultimately prevail. God’s use of the Babylonians as an instrument of judgment against Judah, despite their own wickedness, demonstrates His sovereignty over all nations. This theme underscores the belief that God’s plans are beyond human understanding, but His justice is sure and will be executed in His perfect timing.
- The Righteous Shall Live by Faith: One of the most famous verses in Habakkuk is the declaration that "the righteous shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). This theme highlights the importance of faith and trust in God, even when His ways are mysterious and His timing is unclear. It calls the faithful to live in reliance on God’s promises, despite the surrounding turmoil.
- Judgment and the Fall of the Wicked: The book of Habakkuk prophesies the downfall of the wicked, particularly the Babylonians, who, despite being used by God as a tool of judgment, will themselves face divine retribution for their cruelty and arrogance. This theme reinforces the idea that no one is exempt from God’s justice and that the wicked will ultimately be held accountable for their actions.
- Hope and Rejoicing in God: Despite the ominous predictions of judgment, Habakkuk concludes with a profound expression of hope and trust in God. The final chapter is a prayer of praise, where Habakkuk acknowledges God’s past deeds and expresses confidence in His future deliverance. This theme emphasizes that, in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, believers can find joy and strength in their relationship with God.
The book of Habakkuk is a profound exploration of faith in the face of doubt and confusion. It challenges readers to trust in God’s sovereignty and justice, even when circumstances are difficult to understand. Through his dialogue with God, Habakkuk moves from questioning to a place of deep faith and trust, providing a powerful example of how to live faithfully amidst the realities of a broken world.
What I Noticed Today (Habakkuk)
Habakkuk 1
In verse 1, Habakkuk receives an oracle (a burden).
In verses 2-4, Habakkuk asks the Lord three questions:
1) How long will I have to cry out for help before you (Lord) answers? (v. 2a)
2) How long will I have to point out violence and you (Lord) do not save? (v2b)
3) Why, Lord, aren’t you doing something about these wrongs? (v. 3)
Habakkuk says because of these issues, the law is paralyzed; justice is not served, and the wicked are taking over the righteous.
In verses 5-11, the Lord responds saying He will take action, and when He does, people will be amazed. God plans to use the Babylonians (aka Chaldeans) to bring justice to the people of Judah. They will come swiftly and take many captives.
Note: When God responds, He responds using the plural form of “you,” indicating that He is speaking to Habakkuk and the people.
In verses 12-17, Habakkuk lodges a second complaint to God asking three more questions:
1) Are you (Lord) not the everlasting God? (v. 12)
2) Why do you allow traitors to swallow up the righteous? (v. 13)
3) Will you allow the merciless (Babylon) to continue killing nations forever? (v 17)
Habakkuk 2
In verse 1, Habakkuk announces he will take his position on the watchtower and listen for God’s answer to his complaints (the six questions in vv. 1:2-4, and 1:12-17).
In verses 2-5, the Lord responds, telling Habakkuk to write down His answers so that they could be taken by messengers to the people. The Babylonians are puffed up says the Lord, they are not righteous, but the righteous will live by faith (see Romans 1:17). The Babylonians used wine to betray others; they were greedy, and never had enough of war and death. They plundered and took captives and did it all for their own benefit.
In verses 6-20, Habakkuk writes a song of five woes, each having three stanzas, against the Babylonians (Chaldeans).
Woe #1 in verses 6-8. Because the Babylonians heap up what is not theirs by plundering others, they will be plundered.
Woe #2 in verses 9-11. The Babylonians had built themselves up by cutting off other nations.
Woe #3 in verses 12-14. The Babylonians built their nation by bloodshed (implies murder) and lies.
Woe #4 in verses 14-17. The Babylonians made their neighbors drunk so they could take advantage of them. Because of this, the Lord’s judgment will come.
Woe #5 in verses 18-20. This final stanza does not begin with “woe” but asks what benefit comes from the making of idols. The woe is then announced on the person who worships the idol thinking the idol is a live god.
Habakkuk 3
Habakkuk 3 is a prayer of praise (a doxology) to the Lord.
In verse 1, the prayer of Habakkuk, according to Shigionoth.
Note: “Shigionoth” is not a person. It is an unusual Hebrew word, and in this case, the meaning probably has musical or liturgical significance.
In verses 2-3, Habakkuk has heard God’s report, and it has made him afraid. God has come from Teman and the Holy One from Mt. Paran (the Lord appeared to Moses at Mt. Paran, Deuteronomy 33:2).
In verses 4-7, Habakkuk describes God appearance. God appeared as light. A plague proceeded him, and pestilence followed him. God measured the earth and shook the nations. The reference to Cush and Midian is to the nations that were on either side of the Red Sea when the Lord led the people out of Egypt.
In verses 8-15, Habakkuk describes God’s actions on earth.
In verse 16, Habakkuk trembles at hearing the actions of the Lord. He will wait quietly for the day of trouble when his nation is invaded.
In verses 17-19, even if fruit trees and olives trees fail along with all the other crops and all the animals are gone, Habakkuk will rejoice in the Lord. In the midst of these tribulations, he will rely on the Lord for his strength.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
