READ IT! - Introduction to The Book of Habakkuk

Introduction to The Book of Habakkuk 

Dates 

The Book was probably composed during the late 7th century B. C. ...likely no later than 597 B.C. due to the specific reference to the Babylonians in 1:6.

Habakkuk the Prophet 

The book provides no information about Habakkuk. No references to him in any other book of the Bible. Habakkuk could have been a priest-prophet. He is referenced in the apocryphal work of Bel and the Dragon. 

Historical/Religious Setting 

The Kingdom of Israel has already been exiled. Judah is the only representative of the people of God. The Book is probably a continuation of the warning to Judah that they will be invaded by Babylon. The Chaldean (Neo-Babylonian) Empire is the dominant world power at the time. 

Issues 

In Habakkuk 1, the prophet questions God on all the wickedness in the world and he waits for God’s answer. Habakkuk was dealing with the fact that evil people were getting their way while the righteous were being put down. The age old question of “If God is good, why doesn’t He do something about evil?” Habakkuk was one of the few people that was still following the ways of God and it was getting him nowhere. The people believed that God was no longer involved in their lives and had returned once again to worshiping idols. Habakkuk starts to doubt God Himself because God was not answering him. 

Habakkuk 1:2 says: “How long, O LORD, will I call for help, and you will not hear?” God tells Habakkuk that the evil of the people will be punished, yet He will still use evil people – in this case the Babylonians – to destroy Judah. Habakkuk chooses to accept and trust God’s answer even though he does not like it or completely understand it. 

Chapter 1 

Habakkuk is complaining to God: “How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? O LORD, why do you tolerate evil? God says, "Behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans." Habakkuk asks God, “Your eyes are pure… Why do you look upon the treacherous?” 

Chapter 2 

Habakkuk says: 

“I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint."

The LORD answered: "The just shall live by faith. Woe to him who plunders nations! Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion. Woe to him who builds up his realm by unjust gain. What profit is an idol? The LORD is in his temple." 

Chapter 3 

Habakkuk says, “O LORD, renew your works! He stood and shook the earth. You crushed the head of the wicked. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. You came to deliver your people, to save your anointed one.”