Some of the least read books of the Bible are the Minor Prophets. Though they are short books, they are full of poetic language and imagery that is often difficult to understand and interpret. Because of this, many Christians (especially American Christians) don’t see how these books are at all relevant to their daily lives. But these books are more relevant than you might think.
In one of my last classes of my graduate program, I had to write a brief commentary on the book of Habakkuk for one of my Old Testament classes. I couldn’t have told you the last time I had read Habakkuk or even if I had ever read through the entire book at any time during my Christian life. However, as I began to study and dig deep into the book, I realized that the message of Habakkuk is extremely relevant and necessary for all Christians in this day and age.
The book begins with a complaint voiced by the prophet Habakkuk. He is crying out to God, asking Him how long He is going to let violence and injustice continue in Judah (1:1-4). The Lord then answers him, assuring him that He is still at work in the world. He announces that He is raising up the dreaded and fearsome Babylonians (also known as Chaldeans) to punish the nation (1:5-11).
Habakkuk brings another complaint to God. He knows God is a holy and righteous God who can do no wrong. Why then would He allow Babylon to continue in her violence and depravity when they were more evil than Judah? Why would He allow them to grow rich by killing off nations (1:12-2:1)? The Lord answers Habakkuk, saying that judgment will come to Babylon. In fact, He lists the specific punishments she will receive for her arrogance, theft, greed, violence, drunkenness, and idolatry (2:6-19). Though these punishments may appear to be slow to come, God assures Habakkuk that they will happen (2:3).
In the key verse of the book, the Lord tells Habakkuk how His people are to act and live during this time-
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4, ESV
The righteous shall live by faith. This phrase may look familiar to you, even if you haven’t read through the book of Habakkuk. That’s because it’s quoted three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). The Hebrew word translated here as “faith” is emuna, which refers to a steadfastness or fidelity.[1] God is calling His people to trust and be faithful to Him, to be steadfast and stand firm while they are in exile in Babylon, for God is still in control and still doing justice.
The book ends with Habakkuk praying to God and praising Him for His glory, power, and might. He praises Him for His wrath against sin and His salvation of His people (3:1-15). While Habakkuk is afraid of the Babylonians, he trusts the Lord and waits for Babylon’s demise (3:16). He declares,
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
This short book teaches us a lot about God’s character. It teaches us that God is sovereign and in control of the world around us. He is always at work in the world, even when He appears to be silent. It also teaches us that God is holy, righteous, and just. He can do no wrong, and He cannot let sin go unpunished. Habakkuk teaches us that God is faithful to His people and has good plans for them. Even when they go through dark and difficult times, God is working it all for their ultimate good.
As we read through this book, we also learn how we are to live during these dark and difficult times. Many have likened the events of this past year and half or so to God’s judgment. The spread of coronavirus; the unrest in the streets; the closing of businesses, schools, and churches; and the increasing hostility towards biblical values have indeed made the times we’re living in both difficult and dark. But God calls us to live by faith, to trust that He is sovereign and good, to stand firm in our beliefs, and to be steadfast in our obedience of His Word.
If you’re going through a dark time right now, I recommend that you open your Bible to the book of Habakkuk. Remember that God is sovereign and in control of everything that happens. Remember that God is faithful and has good plans for you. Remember that God is just and will not let sin go unpunished. Remember to live by faith. And remember to praise God as Habakkuk did-
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18
[1] Blue Letter Bible Lexicon, s.v. “Strong’s H530 – enuma,” accessed April 20, 2021, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H530&t=KJV.
