What makes Habakkuk special?

This short book records a prayer-filled conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and the Lord God. Habakkuk was not afraid to ask God serious questions about events he did not understand. He was especially troubled that God would use the cruel Babylonians to punish the people of Judah. Comments on Habakkuk were discovered among the Jewish Dead Sea Scrolls, written during the century before Christ. New Testament writers, such as the apostle Paul (Rom 1.17; Gal 3.11) and the writer to the Hebrews (10.38), quoted Habakkuk 2.4.

Why was Habakkuk written?

Habakkuk complained that the Lord had not acted quickly enough to stop cruelty and injustice in Judah. But Habakkuk became even more upset when the Lord told him that Judah’s punishment would be carried out by the army of Babylon. To Habakkuk, this solution was worse than the crime, because the behavior of the Babylonians was worse than the behavior of the leaders and people of Judah!

Habakkuk is a good example of how the prayers of a faithful person can include both complaint and praise, questioning and trust. The Babylonians may punish Judah, but Babylon will eventually fall because its leaders worship their own strength (1.11). The Lord does not accept the proud but rather accepts those who live by faith (2.4). Faith will be tested by tough times, but Habakkuk shows the importance of continuing to praise God, who is the one true source of strength and the one who “saves” (3.17-19).

What’s the story behind the scene?

Little is known about Habakkuk except what we learn from his book. He calls himself a prophet, a person who speaks for God. Some ancient traditions suggest that Habakkuk was also a priest who served in the Jerusalem temple. Certain terms or directions (“Use stringed instruments,” 3.19) suggest to many scholars that the prayer in chapter 3 was a formal prayer used in Israel’s worship.

Habakkuk writes of a time of violence, terrible injustice, and lawlessness among God’s people (1.2-4). This situation was often repeated in Israel’s history, but the reference to “sending the Babylonians” (1.6) seems to indicate that Habakkuk wrote this book shortly before or after 600 B.C. It was at this time that the Babylonians became the strongest power in the ancient Near East. They defeated the Assyrian city of Nineveh in 612 B.C. before defeating the Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. Judah’s king Jehoiakim forced his own people to pay heavy taxes, and much of this money went to Babylon’s king, so he would not attack Judah. Eventually, Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon in 602 B.C., and in 598 B.C. Babylon invaded Judah and surrounded Jerusalem. Jehoiakim disappeared and the new king, Jehoiachin, was taken away as a prisoner to Babylon (2 Kgs 24.1-12). Eleven years later the Babylonians captured and destroyed the city of Jerusalem and its temple following another revolt. Habakkuk’s book may have been used for worship in the temple before it was destroyed in 586 B.C. In Jewish tradition, chapter 3 of Habakkuk is one of the readings for the second day of the Shavnoth (Harvest Festival), which has become a celebration God’s giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

How is Habakkuk constructed?

Habakkuk has two major sections. The first section (1.1—2.20) contains two conversations between Habakkuk and God. In the second section (3.1-19), Habakkuk’s formal prayer or hymn praises God for helping the people of Israel in the past. And the prophet declares his trust in God, in spite of the difficult times Habakkuk and God’s people are facing.

Habakkuk’s conversations with God (1.1—2.20)

Habakkuk’s prayer of praise and trust (3.1-19)

Habakkuk’s Conversations with God

Habakkuk complains to the Lord about the violence and injustice within his own nation of Judah. He does not understand why the Lord is so slow to deal with this evil. God surprises Habakkuk by saying that the armies of Babylon will bring an end to the evil in Judah. Then Habakkuk complains that Judah’s sin are less serious than the sins of the Babylonians. Habakkuk is reminded that one day in the future God will punish the proud, including Babylon, and accept all people who live by faith (2.4).

Habakkuk’s Prayer of Praise and Trust

Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 begins with a request for the Lord to be merciful to the people of Judah (3.2) and then continues with a description of the Lord’s presence and power in the world (3.3-15). Habakkuk is overwhelmed by the Lord’s awesome power, which makes him confident that the Lord will save the people of Judah, even though they face difficulties at the present time.

Questions about Habakkuk

1. What is Habakkuk’s first complaint about? (1.2-4) What is the Lord’s surprising response to this complaint? (1.5-11) The Lord’s response leads to Habakkuk’s second complaint. What is it? (1.12-17)

2. In chapter 1, who seems to be weak (the “losers”), and who seems to be strong (the “winners”)? What warning is given to the so-called winners, the “proud”? (1.11)

3. Habakkuk 2.4 is used by a number of New Testament writers (see Rom 1.17; Gal 3.11; Eph 2.8; Heb 10.38). The translation of 2.4 is uncertain (see the footnote). What do you think Habakkuk most likely meant by this verse? Why?

4. Habakkuk speaks about those who are “doomed” (2.6,9). In a column, list the actions that lead to the “doom.” Next to these make a second column listing the punishments for each of the evil actions. How do the punishments fit the actions?

5. In your opinion, does Habakkuk’s view of God change from the beginning of the book to the end? Why or why not? What have you learned about God by reading and studying Habakkuk?