Habakkuk is unique among the prophets. His message is neither an appeal to the people nor an announcement of judgment against the nations. Habakkuk’s cry is not on behalf of God to a wicked people, but rather a plea to God on behalf of the faithful among a corrupt nation.
The prophet initially inquires as to why God seemingly turned a blind eye to the wickedness among His own people: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Hab. 1:2). The violence and spoiling was not from a foreign nation, but the wicked of Judah and Jerusalem (Hab. 1:3). The law was disregarded, and justice had ceased (Hab. 1:4). Why had God not taken action?
Next in the book, God revealed that a nation has been prepared to punish the people for their iniquity. True to His merciful nature, He had given the people time to repent. But the nation was so corrupt that a purging was needed (cf. Isa. 1:21-27). The Chaldeans, a “terrible and dreadful nation,” who even at that present time were enlarging their borders and spoiling the nations, would soon “march through the breadth of the land” and take possession of it (Hab. 1:6). Habakkuk was taken aback! How could Jehovah, eternal and omnipotent, a God of justice and righteousness, hold His tongue “when the wicked devoured the man that is more righteous than he?” (Hab. 1:13b).
Jehovah’s reproof was plain and simple: “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Hab. 2:1-3). In essence, God replied, “I have said what I have said. Write it down in the clearest terms. My words will not fail.”
A statement that rings throughout time followed: “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). Even though God will use the arrogant and dishonorable Chaldeans for His purposes, and even though Habakkuk and the faithful of Judah may not understand or agree with God’s decision and will to work in such a fashion, the just people should simply lean on their faith in God. He will always do right.
Christians today may find difficulty reconciling the Scriptures to their own logic or feelings. One clear example of this is God’s law of marriage. Jesus affirmed that an adulterous marriage is sin (cf. Matt. 19:1-9). That such is the force of His teaching is made evident by the disciples’ response: “If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry” (Matt. 19:10). Nevertheless, many cannot receive God’s law of marriage (Matt. 19:11). They reason with God, seek to justify unrighteousness, and question God’s will. “What if they repent, can they not remain married?” (a clear misunderstanding of repentance!) Because some disagree with God, many have turned from the truth and “changed their view” on truths they held for years.
Some, trying to cope with personal tragedy, question God’s purposes and ask, “Why would God allow this to happen to me?” We live in a world where pain, suffering, and death seem to prevail. That the people of God must endure the shared trials of humanity should not hinder us but strengthen and embolden our faith. God has not promised heaven on earth, but heaven after earth to the just who live by their faith.
Ultimately, the prophet realized he should not disagree with God. Consider Habakkuk’s closing words: “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” (Hab. 3:17-18). We may not always “agree with God” or understand the circumstances of this life, but if we abide with him and walk in His ways, salvation will be our reward and peaceful rest will be our end.
-Ronnie Scherffius