Book introduction
The book of Habakkuk
Habakkuk argues with God. Why does God let injustice go on? God answers that he is raising up Babylon. Then why use people worse than us? Habakkuk waits, and ends with a song of trust even if the fields fail.
Who wrote Habakkuk?
Habakkuk the prophet. Nothing else is known about him.
When was it written?
About 605 BC, as Babylon rose.
Main themes
- Bringing questions to God
- The book is a conversation, not a lecture.
- The righteous live by faith
- Paul quotes 2:4 in Romans and Galatians.
- Joy without circumstances
- “Yet I will exult in Yahweh.”
Outline of Habakkuk
Key verses
Look at the proud one: his soul is not upright within him. But the righteous will live by his faithfulness.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.
Even if the fig tree does not flower, and there is no yield on the vines; if the olive tree’s produce disappoints, and the fields provide no food; if the flock is cut off from the fold, and there are no cattle in the barns, yet I will exult in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God who saves me.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Three chapters. Read them in order. The end of chapter 3 is the payoff.
Ask about this book
Questions about Habakkuk?
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