HABAKKUK WAS a prophet of God at the time the Babylonians were attacking Judah, around 610 bc. The prophet was perplexed: why did God appear to let wicked nations like Babylon prosper—and even be allowed to punish God’s people (1:3)? God’s answer was to show him that despite present appearances He has a plan which will one day triumph and bring blessings for the righteous: “I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you…” (Habakkuk 1:5).
Vision Of The Kingdom
From the watchtower on the walls of Jerusalem (2:1), the prophet was enabled to see forward across the centuries, to the time when the wicked will cease. Then “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (2:14).
Chapter 3 contains a “prayer of Habakkuk” (v. 1), which is in the form of a song. The prophet was inspired to recall God’s past triumphs, when Israel were saved from Egypt and when they entered the Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 33:2). Looking ahead, he saw that there will be a repeat of that victory when Christ comes, with his immortal followers, bringing fearful judgement on the wicked nations (3:16).
The Victory Of Faith
Despite present troubles, those who have faith in God will be blessed when Christ returns. Those who are made “just” (or righteous) in Christ will “live” in that day (2:4, 14). So they can rejoice, even in trouble, knowing of the things in store when “it will surely come; it will not tarry” (2:3; see Hebrews 10:37–38).
Norman Owen
By kind permission of ‘The Christadelphian’
Some interesting links with other parts of the Bible
- Habakkuk 1:4—see Job 20:5; Psalm 94:3; Jeremiah 12:1.
- Habakkuk 2:3–4—see Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:37–38.
- Habakkuk 3:3—see Deuteronomy 33:2; Judges 5:4; Psalm 68:7.