Habakkuk

Though each Minor Prophet has a unique message, the character of Habakkuk is very different. In Nahum we have the “burden of Nineveh” (Nah. 1:11The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. (Nahum 1:1)), in Zechariah “the burden of the word of Jehovah” (Zech. 9:1 JnD; 12:1 JnD), but here we have “the burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see” (Hab. 1:11The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. (Habakkuk 1:1)). His was a deeply felt burden over the iniquity of the people and the overwhelming calamity about to consume them. In such a day, where does the hope of the faithful rest? In Habakkuk the point is not so much the unfolding of events, but rather, it is a message to the heart of the faithful in the midst of those events. In this, Habakkuk presents the faithful remnant in Israel.
As a consequence of their wickedness, God would raise up the Chaldean, “that bitter and hasty nation” (Hab. 1:66For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. (Habakkuk 1:6)). Their overthrow of Judah would be complete, the Chaldean absolutely devastating in their violence; but they would offend, imputing their success to the power of their god (Hab. 1:1111Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god. (Habakkuk 1:11)). Faith knows that judgment is ordained of God; he established the Chaldean for correction (Hab. 1:1212Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. (Habakkuk 1:12)), but here was one more wicked than they (Hab. 1:1313Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? (Habakkuk 1:13)). Could God allow them to continue gathering men into their net as if they were fish, burning incense to the god of their success (Hab. 1:15-1715They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. 16Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. 17Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations? (Habakkuk 1:15‑17))?
Habakkuk awaits his answer from his watchtower (Hab. 2:11I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. (Habakkuk 2:1)). Faith must wait in patience; God’s word will not and cannot fail (Hab. 2:33For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)). The heart of the oppressor was lifted up in pride; it will not be overlooked, but the portion of the just is to live by faith (Hab. 2:44Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4)). Five woes are pronounced on the oppressor of the nations, for greed and cruelty, covetousness and self-exaltation, blood and iniquity, immorality, and idolatry. Jehovah is in his holy temple; all the earth should keep silence before Him (Hab. 2:2020But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)).
The book concludes with the prayer of Habakkuk in response to the Lord’s reply. This is a prayer of faith, of full confidence in Jehovah. It recalls the glory and power of God when He brought them out of Egypt and established them in the land of Canaan. While waiting, the heart of faith can rejoice in the Lord; he can joy in the God of his salvation (Hab. 3:1818Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18)).