Habakkuk 1

Introduction

The only thing we know about Habakkuk is his name. He has this in common with the other Minor Prophets of Obadiah and Malachi. His name in Hebrew means “The Embracer.” The Bible scholars, Pfeiffer & Harrison, say this name means that he loved God or else that he wrestled with God. [1] Bob Utley, US Baptist Bible scholar, comments, “The first literary unit (Hab. 1:2-2:5) is a diatribe or a means of communicating truth through dialogue. It is very unusual for a prophet to speak to God on behalf of the people. Usually, prophets speak for God to the people.” [2] British scholar Donald Guthrie says, “Habakkuk is the first prophet to arraign not Israel but God.” [3]

Some Bible scholars have felt that Habakkuk was a Levite. Either that, or he may have been a member of the professional guild of prophets attached to the Temple (1 Chr. 25:1). [4] They have felt this way because of the musical and poetic arrangement of chapter 3, particularly regarding the last verse of the book. [5]

We can be a little more certain regarding the time frame in which Habakkuk was written. It was written around the timing of some of history’s most important battles. Assyria was still the dominant power in the Middle East; however, that power was quickly declining. No doubt, people would have laughed when Habakkuk named Babylon as the future conqueror of Judah.

The great Battle of Nineveh in 612 BC signaled the end of Assyria and the future rise of Babylon. The battle of Carchemish in 605 BC made that a fact. Assyria was no more, and Nebuchadnezzar’s Neo-Babylonian kingdom ruled the world. “The indication is clear that Habakkuk ministered at a time when the Chaldeans were coming to the fore in world politics.” [6]

In that same year of 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar made his first attack on Jerusalem. Habakkuk was probably written toward the end of King Josiah’s reign (640-609 BC), likely after the destruction of Nineveh. It was certainly written before 605 BC. [7] In that era, Habakkuk would have had much prophetic companionship with Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Nahum, and Zephaniah. [8]

Habakkuk lodged a complaint to God and waited for an answer. The answer he got only raised more complaints to God. Despite his disagreements with the Lord, Feinberg says, “All concede to Habakkuk a very high place among the Hebrew prophets. The poetry of chapter 3 has been rightly accredited on every hand as the most magnificent Hebrew poetry.” [9]

The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Habakkuk 1:1-2

Habakkuk probably spent his boyhood during the reign of good King Josiah and the great revival of religion that happened during his tenure. But King Josiah was killed in the battle leading up to Carchemish. Apparently, the revival had a shallow effect. Very quickly, disillusionment set in, and Judah returned to her old evil ways. The prophet was appalled.

He often cried out to God in prayer, but it did not seem that the Lord was listening to him. He cried concerning the outright violence going on in the midst of the “holy” people, but God did not seem interested. His prayers were much like the psalmist who lamented, “My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest” (Psa. 22:2). The word “prophecy” is the Hebrew masa, and it has the meaning of “load” or “burden.” The prophet was weighed down with it.

We have had several great revivals in the US, with the largest and most recent one being the Charismatic Renewal of the 1960s through the 1980s. Many lives were changed in all denominations; however, the holy fire of that movement seems to have mostly dissipated. Many, and hopefully most, Christians have cried out to God about the wickedness now going on even in our so-called “Christian” countries.

We see hardened criminals being turned back out on the streets by our liberal judges and courts. We watch in dismay as sound biblical laws are spurned. We see homes wrecked with adultery. It seems that our citizens can no longer talk without dropping “F bombs” with every other breath. Their public speeches are often almost a series of bleeps. Are we crying to God as Habakkuk did? Do we keep on moaning in our prayers? James Montgomery Boice, American theologian and broadcaster, comments, “Habakkuk is so eminently contemporary. For a book written in Judah more than 2,500 years ago, it deals with surprisingly modern problems.” [1]

Utley mentions several of the things that were grieving Habakkuk. There was destruction (1:3), violence (1:3; 2:8,17), strife (1:3), contention (1:3), ignoring of the law (1:4); justice not upheld (1:4); the wicked surrounded the righteous (1:4); and justice was perverted (1:4). [2] In addition, the courts were corrupt, and the wealthy abused the poor and needy.

The early Christian father, Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD) commented, “Blessed David also says in like manner, ‘Why, O Lord, do you keep your distance? Why do you look down on us in good times and in bad?’ When the godless act disdainfully, the poor person is inflamed” (Psa. 11:1). [3] Both David and Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psa. 22:1; Matt. 27:46).

“Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds” (1:3). H. A. Ironside said years ago, “True followers of the Lord are in danger of being unduly depressed and disheartened by the rising power of the mystery of iniquity.” [4] Even the most steadfast believers have to cry out at times, “God, where are you? God, why don’t you do something?” Habakkuk boldly charged God with tolerating wrongdoing. Both Habakkuk and some believers today forget that our Lord is a God of patience and long suffering (Psa. 86:15; 2 Pet. 3:9).

“Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted” (1:4). In Habakkuk’s time, there was much lawlessness, and the law was of no effect. At that time, Jeremiah was almost murdered for declaring the word of the Lord to the people (Jer. 26:1ff.). In every generation, Satan seems to have as his target the doing away with the law, both natural law and biblical law.

When I was in grade school long ago, it was not uncommon for the Ten Commandments to be posted in the public school classrooms. Indeed, the commandments were a fixture in public education. The command, “Thou shalt not kill,” was there for all students to see. All this changed with the landmark 1980 Stone v. Graham case in the US Supreme Court. This ruling was supposedly based on the US First Amendment Establishment Clause, prohibiting public schools from endorsing or establishing any religion. It is amazing that when the command “Thou shalt not kill” was removed, the schools became very unsafe places. Students started killing each other as well as their teachers and outsiders.

Now, one of America’s pressing problems is the matter of school shootings. At the beginning of the 21st Century, they were running at about 5 total per year, with about 5 killed and a similar number injured in the events. However, by 2025, they were running at 68 per year, with a total of 36 killed in all events and 109 wounded. [5] Everywhere in our society, there is a rise in lawlessness. The New Testament tells us that eventually the whole world will be ruled by the Lawless One, the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:8; 1 John 2:18; Rev. 19:19). American theologian Albert Barnes says, “Sin produces sin, and wrong produces wrong; it spreads like an infectious disease, propagating itself, and each, to whom it reaches, adds to its poison.” [6] Jesus warns us, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:12-13).

God Answers

Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5

What a statement from God! It is one that could keep people up at night, wondering what God was up to. God was about to bring the Babylonians against his own people. At this time, the world’s power was the Assyrians. Babylon had not yet set foot in Judah and was not considered the enemy. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul used this verse against the unbelieving Jews of Pisidian Antioch in Acts 13:41.

We have no idea what the prophet was expecting God to do. Perhaps he thought God would send another great revival like the one in the days of Josiah. [7] The days of revival were over, and the day of judgment was about to dawn for Judah.

“I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor” (1:6-7). Much like their predecessors, the Assyrians, the Babylonians were a ruthless and cruel people. As in the case of Daniel, we know they fed prisoners to lions. From their wall engravings, we know they chained prisoners neck to neck, tortured them, and enslaved them.

“Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping to devour; they all come intent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand” (1:8-9). Theologian A. R. Faussett says of the leopard, “It runs most swiftly straight on: you would fancy it was flying through the air.” [8] Although the Leopard is not the fastest attack animal, it still reaches the impressive speed of 55 mph, or 88.5 km. [9] Adam Clarke, quoting Oppian, says of Euphrates horses, “They are by nature warhorses, and so intrepid that neither the sight nor the roaring of the lion appalls them; and, besides, they are astonishingly fleet.” [10]

“They mock kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; by building earthen ramps they capture them. Then they sweep past like the wind and go on – guilty people, whose own strength is their god” (1:10-11). Well-known Bible scholar and broadcaster Warren Wiersbe tells how they put defeated kings into cages and exhibited them like animals. [11] Feinberg comments: “In this section of the prophecy, we have had described for us in a remarkable pen portrait of the Chaldean invader, his nature, manner of operation, purpose, weapons, attitude toward others, and the basic cause of his ultimate downfall.” [12]

Habakkuk Complains Again

LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Habakkuk 1:12

Boice comments, “Habakkuk faced a situation in which a most ungodly nation, Babylon, was going to be used to judge Israel, God’s special people. Habakkuk cries out, ‘Wait! Wait! Hold on just a minute!’” [13] Pastor and commentator David Guzik adds: “It would be like crying out to God about the state of the church in America, and hearing God respond by saying, ‘I’ll fix the problem by an enemy invasion of America.’ We might say, ‘Wait a minute, LORD – the problem is bad, but Your cure is worse than the disease!’” [14] How can a holy God use such vile and unholy instruments?

God knows what he is doing, and he just wants his people to trust him. God holds all history in his hand, and he turns it the way that pleases him. We see in Scripture that God used Assyria as his razor (Isa. 7:20) and Babylon as his battle axe (Jer. 51:20-21). He uses all nations as he pleases to work out his eternal plan. He then judges their wickedness (Jer. 51:24). Boice comments, “History follows a divine timetable…history is bound up with the divine kingdom. ‘The key to the history of the world is the kingdom of God.’” [15] We must be able to say with David, “Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1 Chr. 29:11).

There is a time when we have to pause and pray with Paul in Romans, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom. 11:33-36).

“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (1:13). Habakkuk still just did not get it. Christian Church commentator James Burton Coffman, quoting Homer Hailey, says, “It is an invariable law of God that the righteous must suffer along with the guilty.” [16] Of course, both Jesus and his followers spoke of such things. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). Paul and Barnabas spoke to the church, “… ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said” (Acts 14:22).

“You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad” (1:14-15). With such large kingdoms as Assyria and Babylonia on the move, it probably did seem like their nets were pulling in all the people of the known world. It must have been truly discouraging for poor people to be snatched from their countries and sold as slaves, or worse.

“Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?” (1:16-17). Probably this verse is speaking of their might and power, their victories, their weapons, and their military skill. Clearly, they were worshipping all these things. John Phillips, Anglican Bible scholar and translator, comments, “The whole first chapter of his prophecy is concerned with his ever-increasing perplexity.” [17] Habakkuk was bewildered by God’s action or inaction.

Footnotes

1. Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1979), p. 871.

2. Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Habakkuk, 2014, Int. https://www.freebiblecommentary.org/old_testament_studies/VOL10BOT/VOL10BDOT_introduction.html

3. D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer, A.M. Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman, The New Bible Commentary: Revised (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970), p. 767.

4. Ibid.

5. Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Habakkuk, Int.

6. Charles L. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1990), p. 207.

7. Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 871.

8. Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Habakkuk, Int.

9. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, p. 206.

Chapter 1

1. James Montgomery Boice, The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1986), p. 389.

2. Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Habakkuk, v. 1:2.

3. Alberto Ferreiro, ed. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Old Testament, Vol. X1V Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003), p. 209.

4. Quoted in James Burton Coffman, Commentary on Habakkuk, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible, 1983-1999, v. 1:2. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/habakkuk.html

5. Wikipedia

6. Albert Barnes, Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible, Commentary on Habakkuk, 1870, v. 1:4. Barnes’.https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/habakkuk-1.htmlBar4

7. Boice, The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 392.

8. Robert Jamieson; A.R. Fausset; David Brown, Commentary Critical, 1871, v. 1:8. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/habakkuk.html

9. https://csydes.miraheze.org/wiki/Cheetah,_Jaguar,_Leopard,_Lion,_or_Tiger_-Which_is_fastest%3F

10. Adam Clarke, The Adam Clarke Commentary, Habakkuk, 1832, v. 1:8. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/acc/habakkuk-1.htmlClar8)

11. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 1470.

12. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, p. 209.

13. Boice, The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 392.

14. David Guzik, The Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Haggai, 1996, v. 1:7-11.

15. Boice, The Minor Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 394.

16. Coffman, Commentary on Habakkuk, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible, v. 1:13.

17. John Phillips, Exploring The Minor Prophets (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1998), p. 210.