A Study in Habakkuk  by Robert Patterson

   The Hebrew word massa, a burden, comes from the verb meaning "to
lift up". It does not necessarily mean "burden", but can also mean
"oracle" or message from God. Habakkuk, indeed, saw a burden which he
lifted up to God. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1508)

   Is this burden Habakkuk saw a vision of the wickedness of the
nations surrounding Judah or a vision of the wickedness within Judah?
John Calvin maintains that the burden was in light of the evil of his
own people, because they had resisted God's prophets in vain and that
God would punish them for their sins. "'How long', he says, 'shall I
cry on account of violence?' that is, When all things are in desorder,
when there is now no regard for equity and justice, but men abandon
themselves, as it were with loose reins, unto all kinds of wickedness,
how long, Lord, wilt thou take no notice?" (Calvin's Commentaries, Vol.
XV, 17)

   This passage teaches us, that all who really serve and love God
should burn with holy indignation whenever they see wickedness reigning
without restraint among men, and especially in the church of God.
(Calvin's Commentaries. Vol. XV, 18)

   God answers Habakkuk in 1:5-11 by using the Chaldeans to discipline
the people of Judah. Habakkuk's dilemna then changes to "Why do You use
a people who are even more wicked to discipline Judah?" (1:13b) The key
question is stated in 1:13. Calvin suggests that Habakkuk is reasoning
with himself rather than questioning God's goodness. He is honestly
struggling with the concept of God's sovereignty. He cannot see clearly
how God could allow the wicked to prosper and oppress the righteous.
(Calvin's Commentaries. Vol. XV, 46-48)

   God's answer in 2:2-20 is that Babylon would be puneshed for her
wickedness. There are five "woes" in chapter two, (6,9,12,15,19), all
directed at Babylon. God states that all the nations Babylon conquered
would, in turn, witness her downfall because of God's judgment.(Bible
Knowledge Commentary. 1515)

   In Chapter three, Habakkuk regains his perspective. Recognizing
God's judgment on Judah by wicked Babylon, then seeing God's terrible
judgment of Babylon, Habakkuk riplies that he is terrified of God. At
last he sees God's sovereign control in the judgment of the nations. He
recognizes God's power and authority. (Calvin's Commentaries. Vol. XV,
135)

   The prophet finishes his book on a completely different note than he
began it. In 3:17-19 Habakkuk reveals that "ever in the midst of
absolute ruin and abject famine . . . The prophet was prepared to trust
God. He realized that inward peace did not depend on outward
prosperity. (Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1521)

   "We may gather a most useful doctrine, -- That whenever signs of
God's wrath meet us in outward things, this remedy remains to us -- to
consider what God is to us inwardly; for the inward joy, which faith
brings to us, can overcome all fears, terrors, sorrows and anxieties."
Calvin's Commentaries. Vol. XV, 175)

   OUTLINE

   I. We question, God answers (1:1 - 2:20) A. We doubt God's justice
(1:1-4) 1. He allows sin to increase (1:2-3) 2. He allows justice to be
perverted (1:4)

   B. God reveals His discipline (1:5-11) 1. Stunning judgment (1:5) 2.
Uses the wicked in His judgment (1:6-11)

   C. We question God's sovereignty (1:12 - 2:1) 1. We acknowledge
God's purity (1:12-13a) 2. We question God's apparent apathy (1:13b) 3.
We question God's choices (1:14 - 2:1)

   D. God reveals Himself in His judgment (2:2-20) 1. Its certainty
(2:2-3) 2. To the haughty (2:4-5) 3. To the greedy (2:6-8) 4. To the
cheater (2:9-11) 5. To the violent (2:12-14) 6. To the stumbling block
(2:15-17) 7. To the idolater (2:18-19) 8. To all people (2:20) II. We
repent before God's power and glory (3:1-16)

   A. In view of the person of God (3:1-2) 1. His power (3:2a) 2. His
wrath (3:2b)

   B. In view of the presence of God (3:3-16) 1. In His judgment of
nature (3:3-11) 2. In His judgment of nations (3:12-15) 3. In His
judgment of individuals (3:16) III. We rejoice in God's provision
(3:17-19)

   A. Even though we do not prosper (3:17-18a) B. He is our salvation
(3:18b) C. He is our strength (3:19a) D. He is our guidance (3:19b)

   ANALYSIS

   The protagonist in this book is God. Habakkuk plays a supporting
role. The main emphasis is on God's character using Habakkuk as the
tool to reveal that character.

   The plot of Habakkuk is based on a conflict, not in God's character,
but in our perception of His character. In the opening Habakkuk is
questioning God's delay in judging the sinfulness of Judah. God's
stunning answer sets him back. The plot is developed further by
Habakkuk's pondering God's use of wicked Babylon to judge Judah. It is
completed by God revealing Himself and his almighty power in judging
the sins of Judah, Babylon and the whole world, causing Habakkuk to
repent and gain a perspective of God's total control of all
circumstance.

   The character development of God is complex. God is certainly
portrayed as a round character. When questioned concerning His delay in
judging Judah, God's reply in 1:6 is "For behold, I am raising up the
Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous people who march throughout the
earth to seize dwelling places which are not theirs." The irony in
God's plan shocks Habakkuk. It is irony of situation for Habakkuk, a
discrepancy what he expects of God and what God actually does. Here is
a terribly wicked people -- why should they "swallow up" Judah? In
chapter three God shows further His judgment on all the world,
resulting in Habakkuk's repentance in verse 16. Just as in Job, God had
no need and saw no reason to justify His actions before man. He is
anything but a stock character. In fact He is not even a "stock" God as
many would have Him to be.

   The theme of Habakkuk is found in 3:17-19 where he comes to the
conclusion that despite all outward appearances of poverty and despair,
the Lord is everything he needs. Another statement on the theme would
be Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not
lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and
He will make your paths straight."

   The point of view is entirely objective since Habakkuk is either
speaking himself or quoting God. It is a dialogue from beginning to
end. This is particularly effective since we do not often see a direct
dialogue with God frequently in the scriptures, especially in the
context of questioning God's sovereign choices in judging sin.

   Habakkuk is definately an interpretive story. He has hard questions
with no simplistic answers. God makes no excuses for His actions, He
does not need to justify Himself. The book is a refreshing slap in the
face to Christians who want to know God in a deeper way.

../