Habakkuk: Living by Faith

Imagine living in Jerusalem around 610 BC. It is a turbulent time. Josiah, a righteous king, has died in battle against Egypt and his wicked sons are taking turns ruling in his place. With these godless kings, who do not care about God’s law, in authority, wickedness abounds in the kingdom of Judah. Also, the world is being shaken by the conflict of the two great empires of the day: Egypt and Babylon. Babylon defeated Egypt in 605 BC at the Battle of Carchemish and authority over Judah passed from Egypt to them. What were the righteous to do during this time of tumult? The God-fearing Israelites struggled with doubt and uncertainty. They cried out to the Lord in prayer, but felt as if God abandoned them. It was at this time that a prophet of God arose named Habakkuk. Habakkuk interceded before the Lord on behalf of the people. The Lord heard his complaints and provided glorious responses that are instructive to us.

The Prophet’s Problems

Habakkuk had two problems he brought before the Lord. The first problem Habakkuk brought before the Lord was the rampant wickedness in the kingdom of Judah that appeared to not be punished. He also saw those in positions of authority not doing anything about it. In fact, the judges were just as wicked as the rest of the people. Habakkuk cried out to God and felt as if God was silent or unconcerned. Why, he asked, was God not doing anything about this evil? God responded to Habakkuk by saying that He is bringing judgment to Judah through the Chaldeans (Babylonians). The Babylonians will overthrow Judah and put an end to their wickedness. 

Habakkuk’s second problem was in response to God’s first answer. Habakkuk saw God’s judgment coming upon Judah and couldn’t understand why God would use a nation more wicked than Judah to punish them. Habakkuk believed that God’s judgment should begin with the most wicked and then move to the more righteous. God corrected the prophet by showing that His judgment doesn’t always work that way. God used the more wicked (Babylon) to punish the more righteous (Judah) and He is just in doing so. Also, God promised that none of the wicked will escape His punishment because He will also judge Babylon. All are wicked; therefore, the Lord calls Habakkuk to declare to the people: “the just shall live by his faith” (2:4). The Lord proves that He is in control, even when it doesn’t seem like He is. The faithful must keep their hope in the Lord and trust Him knowing that one day, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (2:14). 

The Prophet’s Prayer

Habakkuk heard the Lord’s response to his two problems and he responded in faith. Kenneth Boa notes: “Habakkuk begins by questioning God, but he concludes his book with a psalm of praise for the Person (3:1-3), Power (3:4-12), and Plan (3:13-19) of God.” Habakkuk praises God’s wisdom even though he doesn’t fully understand God’s methods. His prayer ends with confidence in the Lord. Even if everything around him fails, he will trust in the Lord. He prays: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls–yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills” (3:17-19).

A Prophetic Presage

Habakkuk is a warning to the wicked. It is an uncomfortable, but unavoidable fact: the United States has an insatiable appetite for wickedness. We see report after report of murder, rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, pornography, abortion, drug abuse, human trafficking, etc. Our hearts break over the wickedness in our nation and we cry out, like Habakkuk in  his day, against evil before the Lord. How long shall we cry out to God and He not hear us? How long will we cry out against the violence around us and God not save us? How long shall we come to God for mercy and yet we still see lawlessness thriving in our midst? Does God care? Is He aware? This book is a warning to us.

Consider for a moment, as you are praying for God to put an end to the evil in our nation, He revealed to you that He is going to allow Russia (or some other country) to drop a nuclear bomb on New York City? Through this attack, God would bring about the collapse of the United States as we know it. How would you respond? Would you be nervous? Would you be frightened? Would you be thankful? Would you praise the person, power, and plan of God? Let the wicked be warned: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap” (Gal 6:7). 

A Prophetic Prompting

Habakkuk is an encouragement to the righteous. In this brief overview of Habakkuk I hope you have seen how this book is a timely reminder for us. Christians struggle with doubt and uncertainty. We know what it feels like to pray over and over and not feel as if God is listening. In these uncertain times, let us remember that God is in complete control. One day God the Father will send His Son Jesus back to earth to gather His children and bring about true justice and peace.

As we await this glorious day of the Lord, let us remain hopeful. Divine delays develop our faith. The Psalmist cried out to God, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Ps 13:1). Later in this Psalm, he wrote, “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me” (Ps 13:5-6). Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). She then adds, “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You” (John 11:22). James wrote, “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7-8). Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 

Habakkuk was grieved over the wickedness of his day and cried out to God for mercy. His fear soon gave way to faith because, even though it appears that evil is winning, God is in complete control. It is proper for us to grieve over the wickedness of our day. Let us also trust in the Lord God who is fully in control. Let us walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Let us be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt 5:13-16). Let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us rejoice in the God of our salvation.