Habakkuk
A prophet argues with God about injustice and learns that the just shall live by his faith
Habakkuk at a glance
A prophet argues with God about injustice and learns that the just shall live by his faith
Habakkuk is unusual among the prophets: instead of speaking to the people for God, Habakkuk speaks to God about the people. The book records the burden which Habakkuk the prophet saw, likely shortly before Babylon's rise to power around 600 BC, since God announces He is raising up the Chaldeans. Nothing is known of the prophet beyond this book, though the musical notes in chapter 3, addressed to the chief singer on stringed instruments, suggest he may have served in temple worship.
The book unfolds as a dialogue. Habakkuk asks how long God will ignore violence and injustice in Judah; God answers that He is raising up the bitter and hasty Chaldeans to punish it. That answer raises a harder question: how can a holy God use a nation more wicked than Judah? Habakkuk stations himself on his watchtower, and God replies that the vision is for an appointed time, that the proud Chaldean will himself fall under five woes, and that the just shall live by his faith. Chapter 3 is Habakkuk's prayer-psalm recalling God's mighty acts.
Habakkuk's central line, 'the just shall live by his faith,' is quoted three times in the New Testament (Romans, Galatians, Hebrews) and helped spark the Reformation. The book ends with one of Scripture's great confessions of trust: though the fig tree does not blossom and the fields yield no food, yet I will rejoice in the LORD.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 King James Version
Explore Habakkuk
How Habakkuk unfolds
5 sections- 1First complaint: how long? (ch. 1:1-4)Habakkuk cries out at the violence, strife, and slacked law all around him: why does God show him iniquity and let judgment go wrong?
- 2God's answer: the Chaldeans raised up (ch. 1:5-11)God is working a work Habakkuk would not believe: He is raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, whose horsemen fly as the eagle to possess dwellings not theirs.
- 3Second complaint: how can a holy God use them? (ch. 1:12 - 2:1)God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, so how can He hold His tongue while the wicked devours the man more righteous than he? Habakkuk stands upon his watch to await the answer.
- 4The vision and the five woes (ch. 2)God commands the vision written plainly: it is for an appointed time, and the just shall live by his faith. Five woes fall on the plunderer, the covetous, the violent builder, the drunkard-maker, and the idolater; the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.
- 5Habakkuk's prayer and triumph of faith (ch. 3)A psalm recalls God's coming from Teman, His power over waters and nations. Though the fig tree does not blossom and the stalls stand empty, Habakkuk will rejoice in the God of his salvation, who makes his feet like hinds' feet.
People to know
4 figures- HabakkukThe prophet who questions God about injustice and ends the book singing in faith.
- The Chaldeans (Babylonians)The bitter and hasty nation God raises up as His instrument of judgment on Judah.
- The wicked in JudahThose whose violence and twisting of the law prompt Habakkuk's first complaint.
- The proud Chaldean kingThe plunderer of nations addressed by the five woes, whose soul lifted up is not upright.
Words worth carrying with you
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 · KJV
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 · KJV
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18 · KJV
Think you know Habakkuk?
30 questions from the King James Version, all ages welcome. Keep score, then challenge a friend or your whole group.
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Bible Quiz: Habakkuk - The Just Shall Live by Faith | 30 Questions