Habakkuk

Habakkuk is unique among prophets—rather than speaking God's word to the people, he spoke the people's questions to God. His prophecy records an intense dialogue between a troubled believer and his sovereign Lord.

Habakkuk's first complaint addressed injustice in Judah: "O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!... Why dost thou shew me iniquity?" Violence and strife surrounded him, and the law seemed paralyzed. God's answer stunned him: He was raising up the Babylonians to execute judgment on Judah.

This answer created a bigger problem. How could a holy God use an even more wicked nation to punish His people? "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil... wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously?" Habakkuk stationed himself on his watch to await God's reply.

God's answer established a principle that would shape the Reformation: "The just shall live by his faith." Though judgment was coming, the righteous would survive through trusting God. The Babylonians would themselves be judged. After a series of woes against the oppressor, Habakkuk erupted in one of Scripture's most beautiful prayers, reviewing God's mighty deeds and concluding with radical trust: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom... yet I will rejoice in the Lord."