The people of God face difficult questions. Why things are as they are? Where is God when the world ignores Him and His principles? When God acts, why does He do what He does? Habakkuk struggles with these and other questions in his penetrating prophecy.
Habakkuk, whose name means "to embrace," was a prominent and highly respected citizen in Jerusalem. He prophesied after the fall of Nineveh in the year 612 BC, before the first invasion of Judah by Babylon in August of 605 a.C. This was a time of national pain for Judah. King Josiah had tragically died in Megiddo and his son Joacaz was made king; but he was removed from the throne by Pharaoh Necho after only three months of reigning and Jehoiakim, the eldest son of Josiah, reigned in his place. This was a time of tyranny and contention in which righteous people were severely oppressed; In addition, people sinned openly and idolatry was practiced extensively.
Habakkuk considered the circumstances of his nation and was perplexed; it seemed that the facts presented problems without solution, and he sought clarification. But unlike others, he did not abandon his faith or sink into bitterness but sought God to get answers. He intensely observed the sins of Judah and wished to know why God did not do anything about it. But God tells Habakkuk that he is doing something; He is raising the Babylonians as an instrument of punishment against Judah. For Habacuc, the remedy is worse than the problem. How is it possible that God uses a vile and evil nation to judge his own people? Although Habakkuk is not given the answer to this dilemma, he submits to God's will and waits for additional instructions (2: 1).
Habakkuk wished to live by sight, but God gives a higher revelation in an extraordinary message: but the just shall live by faith (2: 4). God's instruction continues, explaining how He will use international circumstances to deal with the sinful condition of Judah in a series of five woes that will affect Babylon, and also Judah. God pronounces ayes against those who by force take what is not theirs (2: 6-8), against those who seek security only in physical defenses (2: 9-11) and those who practice tyranny and oppression ( 2: 12-13). Along with this misfortune comes the consoling promise that when Christ returns, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (2:14) Then a woe goes on against the opportunists (2: 15-17) and the idolaters (2: 18-19). But along with this misfortune there is a glorious contrast between the idols and God: the Lord is in his holy temple, street before Him the whole earth (2:20). The final chapter of Habakkuk records the triumph of faith. Through his perseverance and patience, Habakkuk gained victory (1 Jn 5: 4).
Believers should go to this wonderful book to find direction and comfort when it is difficult to see how God's purposes are taking place in life. The principle of living by faith (2: 4b) is the foundation of the Christian life (Rom 1:17; He 10:38).
Habakkuk, whose name means "to embrace," was a prominent and highly respected citizen in Jerusalem. He prophesied after the fall of Nineveh in the year 612 BC, before the first invasion of Judah by Babylon in August of 605 a.C. This was a time of national pain for Judah. King Josiah had tragically died in Megiddo and his son Joacaz was made king; but he was removed from the throne by Pharaoh Necho after only three months of reigning and Jehoiakim, the eldest son of Josiah, reigned in his place. This was a time of tyranny and contention in which righteous people were severely oppressed; In addition, people sinned openly and idolatry was practiced extensively.
Habakkuk considered the circumstances of his nation and was perplexed; it seemed that the facts presented problems without solution, and he sought clarification. But unlike others, he did not abandon his faith or sink into bitterness but sought God to get answers. He intensely observed the sins of Judah and wished to know why God did not do anything about it. But God tells Habakkuk that he is doing something; He is raising the Babylonians as an instrument of punishment against Judah. For Habacuc, the remedy is worse than the problem. How is it possible that God uses a vile and evil nation to judge his own people? Although Habakkuk is not given the answer to this dilemma, he submits to God's will and waits for additional instructions (2: 1).
Habakkuk wished to live by sight, but God gives a higher revelation in an extraordinary message: but the just shall live by faith (2: 4). God's instruction continues, explaining how He will use international circumstances to deal with the sinful condition of Judah in a series of five woes that will affect Babylon, and also Judah. God pronounces ayes against those who by force take what is not theirs (2: 6-8), against those who seek security only in physical defenses (2: 9-11) and those who practice tyranny and oppression ( 2: 12-13). Along with this misfortune comes the consoling promise that when Christ returns, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (2:14) Then a woe goes on against the opportunists (2: 15-17) and the idolaters (2: 18-19). But along with this misfortune there is a glorious contrast between the idols and God: the Lord is in his holy temple, street before Him the whole earth (2:20). The final chapter of Habakkuk records the triumph of faith. Through his perseverance and patience, Habakkuk gained victory (1 Jn 5: 4).
Believers should go to this wonderful book to find direction and comfort when it is difficult to see how God's purposes are taking place in life. The principle of living by faith (2: 4b) is the foundation of the Christian life (Rom 1:17; He 10:38).
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