Habakkuk

Lore & Background

The book begins with Habakkuk seeing a 'burden' (Habakkuk 1:1) and lamenting the iniquity, violence, and strife before him (Habakkuk 1:3). God's answer reveals a coming work among the heathen that will be unbelievable (Habakkuk 1:5), involving a dreadful nation that comes for violence and gathers captives (Habakkuk 1:7, Habakkuk 1:9), yet this nation will later offend by crediting its own god (Habakkuk 1:11). The prophet then protests that God, who is too pure to behold evil, allows the wicked to devour the more righteous (Habakkuk 1:13).

Reader's Guide

The sampled passages portray Habakkuk as a prophet who engages in a direct dialogue with God. He first presents a complaint about societal injustice (Habakkuk 1:3) and receives a surprising answer: God will use a violent foreign nation as an instrument (Habakkuk 1:5-11). This raises a deeper theological problem—how can a holy God use a wicked agent? (Habakkuk 1:13). The divine response in chapter 2 includes a vision to be written plainly (Habakkuk 2:2), the key principle that 'the just shall live by his faith' (Habakkuk 2:4), and a series of woes against the proud oppressor (Habakkuk 2:6, Habakkuk 2:8, Habakkuk 2:10, Habakkuk 2:12). The passage culminates in a vision of God's theophany (Habakkuk 3:4, Habakkuk 3:6, Habakkuk 3:8, Habakkuk 3:10, Habakkuk 3:12, Habakkuk 3:14) that terrifies the prophet (Habakkuk 3:16), yet he concludes with a declaration of joy in the God of his salvation (Habakkuk 3:18). The book thus moves from lament and doubt to awe and trust.

Did You Know?

• The phrase 'the just shall live by his faith' appears in Habakkuk 2:4.
• God commands Habakkuk to write the vision plainly so that a runner may read it (Habakkuk 2:2).
• The book ends with the prophet rejoicing in God despite trembling at the coming judgment (Habakkuk 3:16, Habakkuk 3:18).
• A woe is pronounced against those who build towns with blood and establish cities by iniquity (Habakkuk 2:12).