The Writings of Habakkuk

All around him Habakkuk sees injustice. For months and even years, Habakkuk has watched people who call themselves children of God, behave in ways that do not honor God. He sees violence, destruction and corruption at every level of his society. What Habakkuk doesn’t see is God addressing this problem. So finally Habakkuk decides to have an honest conversation with God, asking Him for an explanation.  Habakkuk is tired of the confusion.  He wants to understand from God directly, why He is so absent.  So, with courage and frustration, Habakkuk questions God. God speaks to Habakkuk but does not directly reply to his question. 

God tells Habakkuk to watch and wait and that Habakkuk will be amazed at what God is going to do.  God is not inactive.  God has a plan.  As Habakkuk talks with God, he realizes he needs a new perspective on God so Habakkuk commits to watching and waiting.  He doesn’t know what to expect.  He doesn’t know what God will reveal.  But whatever God has in mind, Habakkuk will follow.  At first Habakkuk does not realize that God’s plan includes using him as a messenger to God’s people and to people for centuries to come.

Once Habakkuk is committed to listening, God tells Habakkuk to write down a message to be recorded forever.  God wants Habakkuk to record their conversation.  He wants Habakkuk to write a specific message about how God works. God directs Habakkuk to write this message in very simple language so everyone can understand it.  Life around Habakkuk may be confusing but God’s message is simple.  Habakkuk realizes that his conversation with God is actually meant for all the people.  This message will give everyone who reads it an understanding of how God is always at work and how to live in a world that is falling apart.

God tells Habakkuk to write down that there is an appointed time that Habakkuk must wait for and while Habakkuk waits, he must live by faith if he is to be righteous. 

God explains to Habakkuk how He will use the evil nation of Babylon to bring about justice. He explains that Babylon will also experience the justice of God.  Habakkuk records all that God has for him to write.  And Habakkuk also records his own personal feelings about his conversation with God. Habakkuk is truly amazed at God’s greatness as he listens to God’s message on timing and faith.  Habakkuk realizes through his conversation with God that God is not distant.  God is not absent.  God is working and has been working throughout all of history.  Habakkuk is reminded of how often God has intervened for His people with grace and justice. Habakkuk started his conversation to God with a question.  Now he ends his conversation to God with a prayer.  Habakkuk declares God’s goodness and asks God to simply do again what He has already done so often in the past. 

People throughout history have read Habakkuk’s message.  People come to God with the same question as Habbakuk, “God, why are you not active?”  With Habakkuk’s message, recorded in the Bible, people are reminded God is active and has always been active throughout history.  Habakkuk’s experience built his faith and trust in God and it builds faith for whoever reads about his conversation with God.  Habakkuk finishes writing about his conversation by declaring his new perspective.  He has no idea how many millions of people will also gain a new perspective from his record of the conversation he had with God.