The Book of Habakkuk

Unlike Jeremiah (who lived during the same time period), Habakkuk does not address his message to the spiritually backslidden and rebellious people of Judah. Instead his writings were aimed at the few who had remained faithful to God. He tried to help them understand how and why God was about to take certain actions against their sinful nation. Habakkuk had already personally wrestled with the disturbing issue of God using terrible wicked people like the Babylonians to punish His own people. For this reason, Habakkuk was able to assure fellow believers of God's promise to deal with all wickedness in the right time and the right way. In the meantime, they would have to take comfort in the fact that "the righteous will live by his faith." Even then they would not understand everything but they could still "rejoice in the Lord their Savior."


Five major features characterize the prophecy of Habakkuk. 1. Rather than prophesying to spiritually rebellious and faithless people, the book records excerpts from the prophet's personal journal of conversations with God and what the Lord revealed in response to Habakkuk's questions. 2. It contains at least three distinct literary forms of writing. All of these forms of writing contain eloquent language and expressive metaphors to communicate his message. 3. The prophet demonstrates three character traits that are especially necessary during difficult times among God's people: honest questions for the Lord, unshakable faith and concern for spiritual revival. 4. The prophets vision of God in chapter three is another one of the most awesome descriptions of God in the Bible; it reminds us of God's overwhelming appearance to the Israelites at Mount Sinai right before they received His law. Other outstanding passages in Habakkuk include 1:5; 2:3-4; 3:2; 17-19. 5. No prophet in the Old Testament is more eloquent and expressive on the issue of faith than Habakkuk - not only in his message but also in his personal example and testimony.


The heart of Habakkuk's message, "the righteous will live by his faith," is the key Old Testament text used by Paul in his teaching on justification by faith. This phrase refers to the spiritual truth that we are made right with God not by any good works of our own, but by accepting Christ's gracious sacrifice and forgiveness for our sins, then entrusting our lives to God's leadership.