Habakkuk

Purpose
The book of Habakkuk demonstrates the justice of God in the way He deals with the nations of the world. Habakkuk struggled with the idea of how God could use a nation as wicked as Babylon to discipline Israel. Gods answer assured him that Babylon too would one day be punished, but more importantly, that Gods policies in dealing with the world are just and righteous.

Authorship & Genre

Though little is said directly regarding Habakkuk, we see that he wrote before the Chaldeans (i.e., Babylon) had become a world superpower, but that this shift in world politics would occur within his own lifetime (1:5). This would place his ministry around 640 BC, during the reign of King Manasseh or Josiah in Judah. His book is unlike most prophetic books, taking the form of a conversation before the prophet and God rather than a pronouncement from God through the prophet to the people. In this sense, the book closely resembles wisdom literature, especially the book of Job.

Key Verse

Habakkuk 3:17-18: Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. (NASB)

Structure
1:1 Conversation 1 Question: How can Judahs sin go unpunished? Answer: Punishment will come from Babylon. 1:11 1:12 Conversation 2 Question: How can God use a wicked nation to punish sin? Answer: Babylon, too, will be judged. 2:20 3:1 3:19

Habakkuks Psalm of Trust

Theological Themes

Gods Justice: Like Job, Habakkuk demonstrates that we might not always understand Gods ways, but this is due to our own limitationsnot injustice on His part. In the end, justice will be served, and in the meantime, the righteous shall live by his faith (2:4). National Consequences: Habakkuk emphasizes that political entities are not morally neutral agents in the grand scheme of world history. God is behind the rise and fall of nations, and none is exempt from His agenda.