Time Period:
Habakkuk prophesied during the late 7th century BC, likely between 610-605 BC, just before the Babylonian invasion of Judah. This was during the reign of King Jehoiakim.
Political Setting:
The righteous King Josiah had recently died in 609 BC. His reforms were being reversed under wicked King Jehoiakim. Babylon was rising as the dominant world power, having defeated Assyria at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC.
Author Background:
Little is known about Habakkuk personally. His name may mean "embrace" or "wrestler." The book's musical notations suggest he may have been a Levitical worship leader or temple musician.
Social Conditions:
Judah was experiencing internal corruption, violence, injustice, and wickedness. The legal system was paralyzed, the righteous were oppressed, and godly King Josiah's reforms had been abandoned.
Unique Format:
Unlike other prophetic books, Habakkuk records a dialogue between the prophet and God. The prophet boldly questions God, and God answers. The book ends with a psalm of faith and trust.
Message Purpose:
To address the problem of why God allows evil to prosper, to announce Babylon as God's instrument of judgment, and to demonstrate that the righteous must live by faith during times of uncertainty.
Superscription
Introduction identifying the message as an oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision.
Habakkuk 1:1
Habakkuk's First Complaint: Why No Justice?
The prophet cries out: How long must I call for help while God doesn't listen? Violence is everywhere, yet God does nothing. The law is paralyzed and justice never prevails.
Habakkuk 1:2-4
God's First Answer: Look at the Nations
God responds: Look among the nations and be amazed! I am doing something you wouldn't believe even if told. I am raising up the Babylonians to bring judgment.
Habakkuk 1:5-6
Description of the Babylonians
The Babylonians are fierce, impetuous, and ruthless. They sweep across lands, seize dwellings, mock kings, and capture fortresses with ease. Their own strength is their god.
Habakkuk 1:7-11
Habakkuk's Second Complaint: Why Use the Wicked?
The prophet acknowledges God's holiness and eternality, but questions: Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous? How can You use evil Babylon to punish Judah?
Habakkuk 1:12-17
Habakkuk Waits for God's Answer
The prophet takes his stand on the watchtower to see what God will say and how he should answer when rebuked for his complaint.
Habakkuk 2:1
God's Second Answer: Write the Vision
God commands Habakkuk to write down the revelation clearly on tablets. The vision awaits an appointed time and will surely come. The key truth: the righteous will live by faith.
Habakkuk 2:2-4
Woe to the Arrogant Conqueror
Babylon is puffed up and not upright. Wine betrays the arrogant; they never rest. Though they gather nations like plunder, they too will be plundered. Death is never satisfied.
Habakkuk 2:5-8
Five Woes Against Babylon
First woe: Against plundering and extortion. Second woe: Against unjust gain for security. Third woe: Against building cities with bloodshed. Fourth woe: Against shameful violence. Fifth woe: Against idolatry and lifeless idols.
Habakkuk 2:9-19
The LORD in His Holy Temple
In contrast to dead idols, the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him in reverent awe.
Habakkuk 2:20
Prayer Introduction
A prayer of Habakkuk with musical notation. He asks God to renew His deeds, make them known in our time, and in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:1-2
God's Theophany: Divine Glory
Habakkuk recalls God's appearance: coming from Teman and Mount Paran, His glory covering the heavens, His splendor like the sunrise, with rays flashing from His hand.
Habakkuk 3:3-4
God's Power in Creation
Plague and pestilence accompany God. He stands and shakes the earth. The mountains quake, waters rage, sun and moon stand still. All creation responds to His presence.
Habakkuk 3:5-11
God's Salvation for His People
God marches through the earth in wrath, threshing nations in anger. He comes to save His people and His anointed one, crushing the leader of the wicked.
Habakkuk 3:12-15
Habakkuk's Physical Response
Upon hearing this, the prophet's body trembles, his lips quiver, decay enters his bones, his legs shake. Yet he will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come upon the invaders.
Habakkuk 3:16
Faith Despite Total Loss
Though the fig tree doesn't bud, no grapes on vines, olive crop fails, fields produce no food, no sheep in pen, no cattle in stalls—yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
Habakkuk 3:17-18
The LORD Is My Strength
The Sovereign LORD is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and enables me to tread on the heights. Concludes with musical notation for the director.
Habakkuk 3:19
