First Complaint

Israel has become violent, unjust and corrupt, and Habakkuk asks God to intervene. God replies that He will use a terrifying empire to judge Israel.

Second Complaint

Habakkuk hates that God would use an incredibly violent and corrupt nation like Babylon to judge Israel. God replies that all nations will be accountable.

Five Woes

Habakkuk lists five woes perpetrated by Babylon. However, most nations eventually perform these same violent, unjust and idolatrous injustices because of the sinful human condition.

God Will Act

Habakkuk pleads for God to act and end corrupt nations. God's powerful appearance illustrates that when He eventually confronts human evil, everyone will pay attention.

Future Exodus

The book of Habakkuk ends by comparing the ancient exodus and a future exodus when God defeats evil, brings justice and rescues all the oppressed.

THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK

OT/NT: Old Testament

SECTION: Minor Prophets (8 of 12)

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Habakkuk

KEY PEOPLE: The Babylonians, Habakkuk.

SUMMARY: Canonically, Habakkuk is the thirty-fifth book of the Holy Bible (1), the thirty-fifth book of the Old Testament (2) and the eighth of twelve Minor Prophets (3) books. It was probably written just prior to the Southern Kingdom of Judah being sacked and destroyed by the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar II. To see how this all came to be, consider exploring  1 Kings (4), 2 Kings (5) and Jeremiah (6).

The book of Habakkuk is a compilation of the prophet's laments, not an accusation against Israel and its sin or a message to the people on God's behalf like some of the other prophetic books. Instead, Habakkuk questions God's goodness because he sees so much injustice, evil and tragedy in the world. He's also concerned because God plans to send Babylon, an intensely evil nation, to judge Israel.

Throughout the book, we see that Babylon is an example of any nation that exalts itself above God and practices injustice, violence and idolatry. In the end, God reminds Habakkuk and every generation that He will deal with evil. We can continue to love and trust His timing and plan as we remain faithful to Him.

COMING UP: Next up is the book of Zephaniah (7). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES:

(1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-word-of-god

(2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament

(3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/ot-minor-prophets

(4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/1-kings

(5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/2-kings

(6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jeremiah

(7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/zephaniah

PAGE SOURCE:

(a) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/habakkuk/