An Introduction to Habakkuk: From Doubt to Faith
The Old Testament book of Habakkuk stands as a unique and profoundly relevant prophetic work, offering a raw and honest dialogue between a perplexed prophet and his sovereign God. Unlike many prophetic books where the prophet primarily delivers God's message to the people, Habakkuk begins with the prophet delivering his own desperate questions and complaints to God. It is a journey from profound doubt and confusion regarding divine justice to a magnificent declaration of unwavering faith, making it a timeless guide for believers grappling with the seemingly inexplicable circumstances of life.
The Prophet's Burden: A Cry for Justice
Habakkuk prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah, likely just before the Babylonian invasion, around the late 7th century BC. The nation was steeped in moral decay, idol worship, and social injustice. Habakkuk, a righteous man, was deeply distressed by the rampant wickedness he witnessed among his own people. His opening words are not a declaration, but a lament, a cry of anguish directed to the Almighty:
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Habakkuk's heart was burdened by the apparent inaction of God in the face of such pervasive evil within Judah. He saw the law disregarded, justice perverted, and the righteous oppressed. This initial complaint resonates with many believers today who witness injustice and suffering and wonder, "How long, O Lord?"
God's Astonishing Answer: The Chaldeans
God's response to Habakkuk's passionate plea is swift and, to the prophet, utterly astonishing. The Lord reveals His plan to deal with the wickedness in Judah, but not in the way Habakkuk might have expected. Instead of immediate internal reform or divine intervention, God declares He is raising up a fearsome, ruthless nation to execute His judgment:
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. For, 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.
The Chaldeans, or Babylonians, were known for their military prowess, their swiftness, and their merciless nature (Habakkuk 1:7-11). This revelation must have sent shockwaves through Habakkuk's understanding. God was indeed going to act, but His method was terrifying and seemingly counterintuitive.
Habakkuk's Second Complaint: Questioning Divine Justice
The first answer only deepened Habakkuk's perplexity, leading to his second, even more profound complaint. How could a holy God use a nation more wicked than Judah to punish His own people? This raised fundamental questions about God's character and justice:
Art not thou 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. Thou 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 acknowledges God's holiness and eternal nature, yet struggles to reconcile it with the Lord's chosen instrument of judgment. He likens God's apparent tolerance of the Chaldeans' cruelty to a fisherman who catches men like fish and rejoices in his destructive power (Habakkuk 1:14-17). This second complaint highlights a common human struggle: understanding how God's perfect justice operates in a world marred by sin and suffering. It is a bold questioning, but it stems from a desire to understand God's righteous ways.
Waiting for the Vision: The Watchtower of Expectation
Having laid out his honest, agonizing questions before the Lord, Habakkuk then takes a deliberate posture of waiting. He does not storm off in anger or despair, but places himself in a position of humble expectation:
I 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.
This act of waiting on the "watchtower" is crucial. It signifies Habakkuk's commitment to hear God's further word, even if it means being reproved for his questions. It demonstrates a foundational trust that God will indeed provide clarity. This posture is a vital lesson for us: when doubt assails, we are called not to abandon God, but to wait patiently and expectantly for His revelation.
God's Enduring Response: The Just Shall Live by Faith
The Lord responds to Habakkuk's patient waiting with a profound and enduring truth that forms the theological core of the book. God instructs Habakkuk to write down the vision clearly, for it has an appointed time, and though it tarries, it will surely come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2-3). Then comes the pivotal declaration:
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
This single verse is a cornerstone of biblical theology, quoted three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38) to emphasize justification by faith. It teaches that while the proud and self-sufficient will ultimately fall, the righteous will endure not by sight or understanding of all God's ways, but by unwavering trust in His character and promises. God then proceeds to pronounce five woes against the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 2:6-20), assuring Habakkuk that even this wicked nation will face divine retribution for their pride, greed, and violence. God's justice, though delayed, is certain.
The Prophet's Prayer of Faith: From Fear to Triumph
The final chapter of Habakkuk is a magnificent prayer and psalm (Habakkuk 3:1), often referred to as Habakkuk's prayer of faith. It marks the culmination of his journey from doubt to triumphant trust. The prophet recalls God's mighty acts in history, particularly His awe-inspiring power displayed during the Exodus and conquest (Habakkuk 3:3-15). He acknowledges God's terrifying majesty and the certainty of His judgment, expressing profound fear:
When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Yet, this fear of God's power is transformed into a resolute faith that transcends circumstances. Despite the impending devastation and the potential loss of all earthly provisions, Habakkuk declares his unwavering joy and confidence in the Lord:
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
This is the pinnacle of Habakkuk's faith. He moves beyond understanding God's ways to trusting God's character. His joy is not dependent on favorable circumstances but rooted in the unchanging nature of his omnipotent and faithful God. The "hinds' feet" imagery signifies agility and sure-footedness, enabling him to navigate treacherous paths and stand firm on the "high places" of God's strength.
Conclusion: A Journey for All Believers
The book of Habakkuk offers a powerful testimony to the journey from doubt to faith. It assures us that it is not only permissible but often spiritually healthy to bring our honest questions, fears, and perplexities before the Lord. Habakkuk’s experience teaches us several vital lessons:
- God welcomes our honest questions: He does not condemn Habakkuk for his complaints but engages with them.
- God's answers may not be what we expect: His ways are higher than our ways, and His justice operates on a timeline and through means that may initially confound us.
- Faith is the key to endurance: When understanding fails, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's character even when His methods are mysterious.
- God's justice is certain: Though He may use wicked instruments for a time, He will ultimately judge all wickedness and uphold righteousness.
- True joy is found in God alone: Our circumstances may be dire, but our joy and strength can be found in the Lord God, regardless of what we face.
Habakkuk's transformation from a prophet burdened by doubt to one who rejoices triumphantly in God's salvation, even amidst impending doom, serves as an enduring model for every believer. In a world full of unanswered questions and apparent injustices, we too are called to stand on our watchtower, wait for God's vision, and live by faith, knowing that the Lord God is our strength.