A look at Bible Book of Habakkuk

Book of Habakkuk - Prophet of faith amidst chaos

Date

- A contemporary of Jeremiah prophesying during the early years of Jeremiah's time.

- 615-600 B.C.

Situation in Judah

- The prophet's ministry occurs during difficult and depressing times when the people of Judah refuse to repent despite pleas to return to covenant living.

- The Babylonians have replaced the Assyrians as the world's great empire and they threaten tiny Judah.

- God allows Babylon to make repeated attacks on Judah. On three occasions Jews are taken to Babylon as exiles. In the final route Jerusalem is decimated and the nation falls.

Message

- The Prophet questions God about world events and circumstances in his own nation of Judah.

- He asks, "Why do the wicked escape punishment?" Evil men are promoting violence, living in sin and perverting justice.

- Yahweh God responds by informing the nation and the prophet that God will punish his people and also their conquerors too.

- God also promises that faith in God will sustain the righteous ones who are living in these times.

"The Just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 2:4)

Audience

- God and the nation of Judah.

Return to Old Testament from Habakkuk