How About Habakkuk?

Habakkuk was a very unusual name indeed – interestingly spelled, uniquely pronounced. Even for a Jew, his name was not quite that common. But this minor prophet, who administered to Judah (the southern kingdom many centuries ago), has more in common with you and me. He raised questions and problems that still concern the modern Christians today.

Now Habakkuk had a problem...a big problem. Judah, the people of God were unfaithful to God. They were not just unfaithful, they were downright sinful and wicked. And the prophet Habakkuk did not understand why God doesn't intervene. God was not coming down with a great move of salvation and restoration, and He was not coming in judgment, and Habakkuk did not understand how God can just look at this and not act. Is this not the same question many people ask today? The world is indeed more evil than the time of Habakkuk. Our society is full of blatant plunderers, hypocrite dictators, murderers and robbers without fear and conscience. Why is God allowing these things to happen?

God’s answer can be found in chapter 1, verse 5: “Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days – you would not believe it if you were told.” In other words, our God is doing something. He is not just sitting in His Heavens. He is in full control of the world. We just would not believe it if we had known.

God’s answer to Habakkuk? He will allow the Babylonians to attack and destroy God’s people. This was not the answer Habakkuk expected. Because the Babylonians were even more wicked than the Judeans. At first he did not understand why God seemingly is not acting on the problem and now, he did not understand why God was doing what He was doing. This is the same dilemma many people are encountering now. Why is God doing this? Why is God not doing this? It does not make sense.

We can learn something from how Habakkuk solved his dilemma. He confirmed what he knows is true about God “Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One?” (1:12) What does Habakkuk mean? He's reaffirming that God is eternal, God is sovereign, God is perfect and God keeps all His promises. And on the rock of his knowledge of God he finds security and peace. “Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines… Yet I will exult on the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” (3:17-18)

"The righteous will live by...his faith." Habakkuk 2:4b