How long (v 2-4)

The question Habakkuk felt concerned the violence that was being carried out among God’s people, Judah. The word “violence” (Hebrew “hamas”) appears six times in this book (1:2, 3, 9; 2:8; twice in 2:17). It seems that he had prayed about this multiple times. However, there was no answer from God, and it seemed as though God was pretending to be indifferent. Therefore, Habakkuk asks: “How long, Lord, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.” (1) Habakkuk’s question was why God was leaving the sins of the people unpunished. (2) As a result, in the southern kingdom of Judah, the Law was not practiced but left neglected. (3) Moreover, the wicked were oppressing the righteous, and justice in the courts was being perverted. For Habakkuk, who was sensitive to sin, this was a situation that could not be overlooked.

God’s answer (v 5-11)

At last, an answer from God is given to his question. It is that God will raise up an instrument to judge Judah. The instrument that will judge Judah’s violence is the Chaldeans, who are also characterized by violence. This is Babylonia. (1) It says, “Look among the nations! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days – You would not believe it even if you were told! For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that grim and impetuous people who march throughout the earth, to take possession of dwelling places that are not theirs.” At the time this answer was given, Babylonia was a small nation that attracted little attention. Therefore, for this nation to appear on the stage of history as a powerful empire was a startling event. Incidentally, verse 5 is quoted in Acts 13:41 (in that context, the message of the gospel is the astonishing matter). (2) Babylonia is violent and independent. “Their justice and authority originate with themselves” describes how they act independently and behave as if they themselves were God. (3) This people moves very quickly and, in a short period of time, comes to conquer the world. (4) “Violence” is their characteristic. In other words, they are a barbaric people who exercise brutality. (5) They are skilled in strategy, and they easily conquer even nations with strong fortresses. (6) They are those “whose strength is their god.” The Babylonians were idol worshipers, and beyond that they added the sin of making their own strength their god. However, their overconfidence in their own power became their greatest weakness. In the end, Babylonia would be judged by God because of its arrogant attitude. It is written, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18). Let us keep this in mind. The proverb that stands in complete contrast to this is, “The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility” (15:33). Let us also keep this in mind.