This is a prophetic book that does not actually contain a prophecy that God has given to be revealed to his people. It is instead a personal dialogue between Yahweh and the prophet Habakkuk. His name is virtually all we know about him. Yet we have this amazing dialogue between him and God that is composed of two questions and God’s response to those questions.
Chapter 1:1-4 is the first question posed by this prophet. He is sickened by the depth of evil in the nation and that apparently God is doing nothing about it. Not only then does he question but even somewhat assigns some blame to God as he wonders why God has done nothing to curb this.
Chapter 1:5-11 is God’s answer. He is sending the Babylonian nation to conquer Israel as punishment for those sins that Habakkuk mentions in the previous verses. God is very clear as to the destruction that is coming on Israel. It is not just an attack but rather a conquering and invasion. This means murder, rape, kidnapping, destruction of homes and lands and vineyards. It is a frightening picture.
Chapter 1:12-17 is Habakkuk’s second prayer or question. How can God allow a nation that is worse than Israel be allowed to be the punisher for them in verses 12-13. He says they are not only worse, but it is God’s sovereignty that has allowed them to become this violent and evil in verses 14-17.
Chapter 2: 1-3 begins with Habakkuk sitting down to wait for an answer and he assumes he will be corrected in that answer. God then tells him it is coming and to write that in a way that a person running would be able to read that.
The rest of chapter 2 is a listing of various woes over the Chaldeans.
- In verses 4-5 they are described as arrogant drunkards.
- In 2:6-8 they are people who destroy the valuables in a country just because they can.
- In 2:12-14 they are seen as a country that won’t last because the world will be filled with the knowledge of God.
- In 2:15-17 they are a people that love to humiliate those they conquer as the Nazi’s were in WWII.
- In 2:18-19 Habakkuk is shown that the reason for all this is their own idolatry.
In Chapter 3 Habakkuk first asks God for mercy in the middle of this horror that is coming on the nation of Israel in verses 1-2. In 3-15 he extols the greatness of God and all
that he can and will do. From there comes one of the greatest passages of hope in the midst of horror in all the word of God. 3:16-19 is the epitome of chapter 2:4 as the righteous must liv e by faith in the trustworthiness of their God.
Preaching Ideas
- We need the passion for Holiness of Habakkuk. 1:4
- It is okay to ask question of God. He does not become angry when we sruggle.1:1-4
- We may not like his answer. 1:12-17
- No sin goes unpunished. 2:1-17
- God is there at our worst moments. 3:16-19.
