Habakkuk: An Introduction and Commentary

Introductory Information

Author: Habakkuk

Date: 607 or 606 B.C., soon after the death of the Judean king Josiah

Recipients: The people of Judah

Purpose: To show that God would punish the idolatrous Judeans through the nation of Babylon.

 

An Outline of the Book of Habakkuk[1]

  I. Habakkuk's First Question (1:1-4)

 II. God's Answer (1:5-11)

III. Habakkuk's Second Question (1:12-2:1)

IV. God's Answer (2:2-20)

  V. Habakkuk's Prayer (3:1-19)

I. HABAKKUK'S FIRST QUESTION (1:1-4)

•Habakkuk asked how long he would cry out to the LORD without receiving an answer. He complained that violence existed in the land, and the law was ignored and perverted.

II. GOD'S ANSWER (1:5-11)

In response, God declared that He had plans to address the wickedness of Judah. He would be raising up the army of Babylon in order to judge His rebellious people.

III. HABAKKUK'S SECOND QUESTION (1:12-2:1)

Habakkuk also asked why God would use the wicked nation of Babylon to judge the wicked Judeans. The prophet did not understand this because the Babylonians were more wicked than Judah.

IV. GOD'S ANSWER (2:2-20)

• In response, God instructed Habakkuk to write down his vision, because its events would occur very soon (2:2-5). The LORD also declared that the righteous will live by his faith (2:4b).

• The next section (2:6-20) contains a series of woes against the Babylonians. Their nation was built upon violence and idolatry, and in God's perfect timing they would be brought low.

V. HABAKKUK'S PRAYER (3:1-19)

In the final chapter of the book, Habakkuk asked God to show mercy when He began to judge His people (3:1-2). The prophet also praised the LORD because He is sovereign over all of creation (3:3-15). Habakkuk declared that God had been faithful to His  people in the past, so he trust the LORD no matter what happened in the present (3:16-19).

3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls,

3:18 Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

3:19 The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

---

[1] This outline is derived from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible, 1505.