Habakkuk
📜 Old Testament
🗺️ Overview
Habakkuk is a dialogue between the prophet and God, wrestling with the problem of evil and God’s justice. When Habakkuk asks why God allows wickedness to thrive, God responds by revealing that He will use Babylon to judge Judah — and Babylon too will face judgment. The book concludes with a prayer of trust and worship, showing that faith endures even when circumstances are dark.
💡 Habakkuk challenges us to trust God’s justice and timing, especially in the face of evil. It calls us to live by faith, to wait patiently, and to rejoice in God regardless of circumstances. This is a model for deep, mature trust in a sovereign God.
🏛️ Historical & Cultural Notes
Insights into the cultural, historical, or geographical background of the book.
Babylonian Threat
During Habakkuk’s time, Babylon was rising in power and would soon overtake Assyria and threaten Judah.
📚 Source: ESV Study Bible
Faith in Jewish and Christian Thought
Habakkuk 2:4 is one of the most influential verses in Scripture, shaping Paul’s theology of justification by faith.
📚 Source: Romans Commentary, Douglas Moo
Literary Structure
Habakkuk moves from lament to praise, forming a poetic and prophetic arc of faith.
📚 Source: The Bible Project
📊 Book at a Glance
- 📝 Author
- Habakkuk
- 📅 Date
- c. 620–610 BC
- 📖 Chapters
- 3
- 🏷️ Genre
- Prophecy
- 📍 Location
- Judah, in the years leading up to the Babylonian invasion
- 🧵 Main Themes
- Wrestling with God’s justice, Living by faith in uncertain times, The righteous will live by faith, God’s sovereignty over nations, Worship in the face of suffering
📚 Outline
- Habakkuk’s Complaints and God’s Answers (Ch. 1–2)
- Habakkuk’s Prayer and Praise (Ch. 3)
📖 Key Stories
Habakkuk’s First Complaint (Habakkuk 1)
The prophet cries out over Judah’s injustice and violence. God replies that He will use Babylon as an instrument of judgment.
Habakkuk’s Second Complaint (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1)
Habakkuk questions how a wicked nation like Babylon can be used by God. He takes his stand to wait for an answer.
The Righteous Will Live by Faith (Habakkuk 2)
God answers with a vision: though judgment is coming, the righteous will live by faith, and Babylon will also be judged.
Habakkuk’s Prayer of Trust (Habakkuk 3)
Habakkuk ends with a poetic prayer, recalling God’s past power and choosing to rejoice in Him despite coming hardship.
👤 Key Figures
🔍 Christ Connections
How this book anticipates or reflects the person and work of Christ.
- ThemeHabakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38
“The righteous shall live by faith” becomes a foundational truth in the gospel — quoted in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews.
- ThemeHabakkuk 1:13, Romans 3:25–26
The problem of evil and injustice ultimately finds its resolution at the cross, where justice and mercy meet in Christ.
🧠 Key Verses
“The righteous shall live by his faith.” — Habakkuk 2:4
“Though the fig tree should not blossom… yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” — Habakkuk 3:17–18
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time… If it seems slow, wait for it.” — Habakkuk 2:3
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