Habakkuk the prophet

From today we begin our study of the book of Habakkuk. (1) Concerning Habakkuk. The name Habakkuk means “to embrace,” “to hold close,” or “to accept.” Aside from the fact that he was a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah, not much is known about him. (2) Historical background. The exact time when Habakkuk was active is also unknown. We can only infer it from the descriptions found in this book. There is the expression, “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans” (1:6), which prophesies that the rise of Babylonia (the Chaldeans) would be a surprise to many people. Since the combined army of Babylon and Media captured Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, in 612 BC, it is thought that Habakkuk’s ministry had already begun before that time.

Characteristics of Habakkuk

(1) This book is extremely unique among the Minor Prophets. Normally, the prophets spoke the word of God to the people of God and to their enemies. However, in the case of the book of Habakkuk, it is not so. This book records a dialogue between Habakkuk and God. (2) The themes of this book include “salvation,” “faith,” and “justification by faith,” but we must not overlook an even more important theme. Habakkuk cries out to God, “How long, Lord, have I called for help, And You do not hear?” (1:2), which is also a cry asking God to resolve “the problem of evil and sin” on the earth. The conclusion Habakkuk ultimately reaches is, “You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for the salvation of Your anointed.” “You smashed the head of the house of the evil to uncover him from foor to neck” (3:13). In other words, he became convinced that the coming of the Messiah would be the solution to all problems.

Quotations in the New Testament

(1) Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted in Romans 1:17. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘But the righteous one will live by faith.’” It is also quoted in Galatians 3:11. “Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘the righteous one will live by faith.’” (2) Habakkuk 2:3-4 is quoted in Hebrews 10:37-38. “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” The message of the book of Habakkuk has extremely modern significance and application. We also are waiting for the return of the Messiah. What we need until that is fulfilled is faith, patience, and a faithful walk. “Behold, as for the impudent one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous one will live by his faith” (2:4). Amen.