Habakkuk: Faith waits for the righteous God

Where Habakkuk sits

In the story

Act IV, Israel · Divided, c. 930–586 BC

In the Bible

Old Testament · Prophets · book 35 of 66

Before it in the story

Zephaniah

After it in the story

Jeremiah

Habakkuk confronts injustice in Judah while the Chaldeans rise as a feared power. The prophecy presents a dialogue with God and a concluding prayer.

Habakkuk summary

Habakkuk in context

Written by

Habakkuk, named as a prophet in 1:1 and 3:1.

Written to

Judah hears the prophet's questions and the LORD's answers concerning injustice and Babylon.

Setting

Habakkuk confronts injustice in Judah while the Chaldeans rise as a feared power. The prophecy presents a dialogue with God and a concluding prayer.

When

Late seventh or early sixth century BC, amid Babylon's rise; no king or exact year is named.

Why

To teach patient faith in the just and saving God when violence continues and His ways are hard to understand.

Themes of Habakkuk

• Trust while justice is delayed
• The proud cannot endure
• Joy in the saving God

Key verses in Habakkuk

• Habakkuk 2:4

  Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright— but the righteous will live by faith—

• Habakkuk 3:17–19

  Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights!

Habakkuk chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Two complaints and a startling answer 1

1. 1
   Habakkuk 1: How can the Holy One use a violent empire?

   The LORD's answer to Judah's injustice raises a deeper question about Babylon's violence.

Part 2 · Faith waits for the verdict 2

1. 2
   Habakkuk 2: The righteous live by faith

   God's promised verdict will come; the righteous must trust Him while pride and oppression face judgment.

Part 3 · Rejoicing while waiting 3

1. 3
   Habakkuk 3: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD

   Remembering God's saving power, Habakkuk waits through distress and rejoices in Him even when provisions fail.

See the outline of Habakkuk