Today, we begin looking at the prophecy of Habakkuk. Little is known about Habakkuk. This is the only time this name is mentioned in the Bible. All we know is that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah. From the book we learn that it was written before the defeat of Jerusalem by Babylon in 597 BC.
Something that sets this book apart is that it is not a prophecy directed to the people. It is a personal conversation between Habakkuk and God. In the first 2 chapters he argues with God over God’s ways that appear to him to be incomprehensible. God replies, and Habakkuk responds with a confession of faith in chapter 3. In this way Habakkuk is like the book of Job.
Notice how relevant Habakkuk’s question is in 1:24: “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” Habakkuk is really asking God, “Why aren’t you doing something. Why do you let evil continue?” Now look at the beginning
Now look at the beginning of the LORD’s answer in 1:5, “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” God is basically telling Habakkuk, “Don’t worry about it. I have everything under control.”
We must always trust in God’s ways and not our ways. God tells us in Isaiah 55:89, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”