Who Was Habakkuk?
Share
Immorality permeated the land. The air, once filled with prayers and praises to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, now echoed with praise to Baal and other gods of the pagans. Whispers of corruption and immorality filled the corridors of power. King Jehoiakim “did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his predecessors had done” (2 Kings 23:37). The hearts of the faithful yearned for divine intervention, hoping against hope for the restoration of their beloved Judah.
God sent prophets to preach to the people, calling them to repentance. One prophet, however, stays in his watchtower and prays. Habakkuk cries out to God, asking, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Habakkuk 1:2-3).
Amid the prevailing darkness, Habakkuk fervently sought the Lord. He struggled with the violence, injustice, and wickedness in his nation. He questions God’s apparent silence and wonders why He tolerates evil and allows it to continue.
A Perplexing Answer to Habakkuk’s Cry
God answered his prayer, but not in the way Habakkuk expected. God tells him, “Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own” (Habakkuk 1:5-6).
God’s response leaves Habakkuk even more perplexed. He cannot understand how a righteous, just God could use such an evil, wicked nation for His purpose. God’s answer sends Habakkuk to his knees as he cries out to God again. “You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Habakkuk 1:12-13)
In response, God assures Habakkuk justice will ultimately prevail. He tells him, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:2-3). God then pronounces severe judgement on the Babylonian nation.
Even though Habakkuk did not fully comprehend God’s mysterious ways, he would leave the situation in His holy hands. Habakkuk’s name means “one who embraces or clings.” He remains faithful to his name as he decides to cling firmly to God, regardless of what happens to him or his nation.
Habakkuk concludes his book with a heartfelt prayer, expressing his commitment to rejoice in the Lord, even amid adversity. In a powerful proclamation of faith, Habakkuk acknowledges God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and power. Even if everything around him fails, he will continue to trust in the Lord and find his strength in Him.
Although we know little about Habakkuk’s life from Scripture, his book offers valuable lessons for navigating today’s challenges.
Trust in God’s Plan
“I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us” (Habakkuk 3:16).
Habakkuk struggled because God used the evil Babylonians to judge his people. He wrestled with whether God was right to do so. His honest wrestling with God’s plan encourages believers to bring their doubts, questions, and struggles to Him in prayer.
Habakkuk invites us to draw near to God even when we don’t get all our questions answered, even when it seems God is working against us. When we don’t understand the “what or why” we can always look to the “who.” God’s plans are often beyond human understanding, but His purposes are for our ultimate good.
Christians can find strength and peace in knowing that God is in control. We can trust God’s sovereignty even when we don’t comprehend His plans. He rules over the whole earth and uses whomever He chooses for His purposes. We are to trust God, even when we don’t understand His will.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15–17).
Live by Faith
“The righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (Habakkuk 2:4).
Faith is central to our walk with God and the major theme of Habakkuk. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse when writing to the Romans (Romans 1:17) and to the Galatians (Galatians 3:11), as well as the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:38). We may not always see how God is working in our lives and in the world around us, but we are to “live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Habakkuk’s unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty serves as a powerful example for Christians today. It reminds believers to anchor their faith in God’s character, His promises, and His past faithfulness, even when the future seems uncertain.
God tells Habakkuk, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). Even when life seems confusing, God’s people are to wait patiently for his deliverance, trusting that he will eventually make all things right.
In a world where uncertainty and chaos often reign, believers are encouraged to anchor their faith in the unchanging character of God. Just as Habakkuk and the faithful remnant were to wait for God to respond, so believers of every age are to wait in faith for God to carry out His purposes.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1)
Persistence in Prayer
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint” (Habakkuk 2:1).
Habakkuk’s journey begins with a fervent seeking of God amid the chaos that engulfed Judah. The prophet, burdened by the weight of injustice, turned to God in prayer, expecting an answer from Him. He cries out to God, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Then, when God answers, Habakkuk continues in prayer, seeking understanding.
Habakkuk modeled the importance of seeking God’s guidance in persistent prayer. The prophet’s example encourages believers to be steadfast in their communion with the Almighty. Just as Habakkuk received a response, God will answer those who earnestly seek Him.
Believers are encouraged to persevere in their prayers, continuing to seek God’s will and listening for His voice. Even when answers may not come right away, Christians are to persevere in their faith, knowing God’s timing is perfect, and His plans will ultimately work for their good.
The Apostle Paul encourages Christians to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
Find Joy and Hope in God
“I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:18-19).
Despite the impending invasion by the Babylonian, Habakkuk utters a prayer of praise, affirming his trust in God’s deliverance. In the closing chapter of the book, Habakkuk changes from the discouraged prophet, wondering why God hasn’t acted, to someone who sings praises to God.
Habakkuk found hope and joy in God’s character and His promises. His example encourages believers to have a grateful and joyful attitude, knowing that God gives them strength, no matter the challenges. Christians can find strength, hope, and peace in God, knowing that He is faithful, and He will ultimately bring justice and restoration.
Fear may fill our world, but it doesn’t have to fill our hearts. Our joy and strength comes from a steadfast relationship with the unchanging God and is not dependent on external circumstances. Even when surrounded by darkness, the light of God’s truth can radiate through the lives of those who stand firm in His righteousness.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
The book of Habakkuk offers profound insights into the nature of faith, trust in God’s sovereignty, and righteous living in a broken world. Its lessons remind Christians to trust in God’s plans, live by faith, persist in prayer, and find joy and hope in His character. By applying these lessons, believers can face life’s uncertainties with unwavering faith, knowing that God is in control, and He is working all things together for their benefit and His glory.
Photo credit: ©SparrowStock
Brad Simon has shared God’s Word for over forty-five years, with a unique blend of storytelling and Bible exposition. He is a retired Master Jeweler and relies on the God-given creativity that won him several national and international jewelry design awards to craft Biblical Narratives and Life Stories that are engaging and thought-provoking. Once a speaker, author, and publisher for the jewelry industry, now he is putting those skills to work to promote the beauty and appeal of God’s Word. Download a free copy of his devotional on prayer.