1:1
The word message (or oracle) shows the book as God's revelation through his prophet (compare Nahum 1:1; Malachi 1:1).
Study notes
Habakkuk 1
1:1–11 Section
The prophet Habakkuk recorded his prayers to God as poems.
Habakkuk’s first prayer was like the poems in the book of Psalms that complain to God. Habakkuk complained by asking God questions and talking about how terrible things were. He complained to God for not taking action to stop people who did evil things.
Habakkuk explained the evil things that people in the southern kingdom were doing. People weren’t following the Law of Moses. They weren’t treating others the way God taught them to in the Mount Sinai covenant.
Habakkuk didn’t understand why God allowed his people to continue sinning against one another. Habakkuk was honest as he told God how he felt about all of this.
God’s answer showed that he would take action against the people Habakkuk complained about. To do so he would use the Babylonian armies as his tools. The Babylonians would attack and destroy the southern kingdom. That is how God would bring judgement against those who treated others unfairly.
God described how mean, strong and proud the Babylonians were. They worshipped their own strength instead of recognising that God allowed them to have success. They would destroy the southern kingdom in a way that would leave Habakkuk totally amazed.
1:2
I call for help but You do not hear: The call and answer theme in Scripture often shows the speaker's trust in God as a refuge or guide (see Psalm 102:1–2). It also indicates a close relationship between the believer and God (Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 65:24).
1:2–4
To Habakkuk, God seemed unconcerned about the evil spread throughout society in Judah (Habakkuk 1:3–4). God also seemed silent when Habakkuk complained about this evil (1:2).
1:3
In Habakkuk’s time, destruction and violence were widespread in Judean society (see Habakkuk Book Introduction, “Setting”).
1:4
Habakkuk shares his worry about the injustice and wrongdoing he observed everywhere (see Habakkuk 1:12–13; 2:4, 9), even in the courts, where the law failed to uphold justice.
1:5
Look … observe: Two different Hebrew verbs are also translated as see and tolerate in Habakkuk 1:3. This creates a literary connection between Habakkuk’s questions in Habakkuk 1:3 and God’s reply in 1:5–11.
1:5–11
God's answer to Habakkuk's question is surprising. God would send a violent group (the Babylonians) to address the violence in Judah. The Babylonian army, well-trained and experienced in battle, was unstoppable.
1:7
from themselves: The Babylonians offered no relief from injustice. They followed their own laws, which confused the prophet about why God chose them to punish Judah.
1:8
The vivid images of cheetahs, wolves, and eagles show how fast and violent the Babylonian attacks against Judah were. These animals also show that the Babylonians hunted their enemies like prey (see Jeremiah 4:13; 48:40; 49:22).
1:9
The Babylonians took many people from Judah into exile between 605 and 586 BC (see Daniel 1:1–3).
1:10
In the ancient Near East, armies often attacked cities by piling up earth to make ramps against city walls. This battle method is described in several places in the Bible (for example, 2 Kings 19:32; Nahum 2:1).
1:11
their own strength is their god: The Babylonians worshiped many false gods. They proudly relied on their military power as another idol.
1:12
Despite his confusion, Habakkuk did not abandon God. By saying my God, my Holy One, he showed his commitment to the Lord before asking important questions about what God had revealed to him.
In light of God's character and covenant with Israel, Habakkuk was sure that God would not destroy his people.
to execute judgment: Compare Hebrews 12:5–11.
O Rock: This is a common image of God's faithfulness and strength (see Deuteronomy 32:15; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 18:2; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:6–8).
1:12–2:1
Habakkuk struggled to understand how God's answer in Habakkuk 1:5–11 fit with God's character. How could a holy and just God punish Judah using a people more unrighteous than they were?
1:12–2:20 Section
In his second prayer, Habakkuk recognised that God is holy and lives for ever. He accepted that God chose how and when to take action. God had told Habakkuk about his plan to use the Babylonians as his tool.
Habakkuk didn’t agree with God’s plan. He complained by asking God questions about this plan. He reminded God that nothing evil can be near to God. He reminded God of the evil things that the Babylonians did. Habakkuk trusted God to answer him. Habakkuk described himself like a guard keeping watch. He kept watch over Jerusalem as he waited for God’s answer.
God wanted Habakkuk to write down his answer. God wanted his message to be shared with his people (God’s people). God’s message was about what would happen to those who are proud and do evil things. The Babylonians were an example of people who don’t want to do good. They got rich by cheating other people and treating them badly. They took control of lands and people groups by stealing and murdering.
They harmed God’s creation instead of being rulers who took care of plants and animals. They used alcohol in ways that were harmful and they committed sexual sins. These actions showed that they didn’t know God. They didn’t respect that God is the Ruler with complete authority on earth. Instead, the Babylonians worshipped statues of false gods. Because of all these things, God would bring judgement against them. They would be destroyed. The people they treated badly would be rescued.
God’s message was also about what would happen to godly people. Those who faithfully followed God’s way for living wouldn’t be destroyed. Instead they would live by their faithfulness. This meant that they had faith in God. They believed that he is who he says he is. It meant that they were faithful to God. They worshipped only God and did what he wanted done on earth.
God’s message was also about when these things would happen. They would happen in the future. God didn’t tell Habakkuk exactly when. God wanted Habakkuk to continue waiting. God’s promise to take action could be trusted.
1:14–15
fish … hook … dragnet: Habakkuk describes the Babylonians as fishermen who pull conquered peoples in like fish, showing how easily they captured their enemies.
1:16
See study note on Habakkuk 1:11; compare 1 John 5:21.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources