Habakkuk 1

1:1Habakkuk lived in Judah during the reign of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36-24:5). He prophesied between the fall of Nineveh (the capital of Assyria) in 612 B.C. and the Babylonian invasion of Judah in 588 B.C. With Assyria in disarray, Babylon was becoming the dominant world power. This book records the prophet’s dialogue with God concerning the questions, Why does God often seem indifferent in the face of evil? and Why do evil people seem to go unpunished? While other prophetic books brought God's word to people, this book brought people’s questions to God. A “vision” is a message from God.

1:2-4Saddened by the violence and corruption he saw around him, Habakkuk paured out his heart to God. Today injustice is still rampant, but don’t let your concern cause you to doubt God or rebel against him. Instead, consider the message that God gave Habakkuk and recognize God’s long-range plans and purposes. Realize that God is doing right, even when you do not understand why he works as he does.

1:5God responded to Habakkuk’s questions and concerns by stating that he would do amazing acts that would astound Habakkuk. When circumstances around us become almost unbearable, we wonder if God has forgotten us. But remember, he is in control. God has a plan and will judge evildoers in his time. If we are truly humble, we will be willing to accept God’s answers and await his timing.

1:5ffGod told the inhabitants of Jerusalem that they would be utterly amazed at what he was about to do. The people would, in fact, see a series of unbelievable events: (1) Their own independent and prosperous kingdom, Judah, would suddenly become a vassal nation; (2) Egypt, a world power for centuries, would be crushed almost overnight; (3) Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, would be so completely ransacked that people would forget where it had been; and (4) the Baby/onians would rise to power. Though these words were indeed amazing, the people saw them fulfitled during their lifetime.

1:6The Babylonians, who lived northwest of the Persian Gulf, Made a rapid rise to power around 630 B.C. They began to assert themselves against the Assyrian Empire and by 605 B.C. had conquered Assyria and Egypt to become the strongest world power. But they were as wicked as the Assyrians, for they loved to collect captives (1:9), were proud of their warfare tactics (1:10), and trusted in their military strength (1:11).

1:10Armies were able to take walled cities by building earthen ramps——heaping mounds of earth against the walls.

1:11Babylon was proud of its military might, strategies, armies, and weapons. With no regard for humanity, the armies brought home riches, plunder, prisoners, and tribute from the nations they conquered. Such is the essence of idolatry—asking the gads we make to help us get all we want. The essence of Christianity is asking the God who made us to help us give all we can in service to him. The goal of idolatry is self-glory: the aim of Christianity is God’s glory.

1:13Judah's forthcoming punishment would be at the hands of the Babylonians. Habakkuk was appalled that God would use a nation even more wicked than Judah to punish it. But the Babylonians did not know they were being used by God to help Judah return to him, and Babylon’s pride in its victories would be its downfall. Evil is self-destructive, and it is never beyond God's control. God may use whatever unusual instrument he chooses to correct or punish us. When we deserve punishment or correction, how can we complain about the kind of discipline God uses on us?

1:17and Galatians 3:11. The writer of Hebrews quotes it in 10:38, just before the famous chapter on faith. And it is helpful to all Christians who must live through difficult times without seeing signs of hope. Christians must trust that God is directing all things according to his purposes. a