Habakkuk

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2.14)

GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights. (Habakkuk 3.19)

This is a conversation between Habakkuk and God, and it makes no sense until you know who is speaking at any one time. Hint: words in inverted commas are, in most translations, God speaking.

The prophet Habakkuk is mentioned twice in the book (1.1 and 3.1) so it makes most sense to think that he wrote it.

He is also mentioned a few times in the additions to the book of Daniel (found in the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical literature) in a section often called Bel and the Dragon (1.33–39). There Habakkuk took stew and some bread to Daniel in the lions’ den. 

Some point out that his name means ‘embrace’ or ‘wrestle’ and this seems to be what he is doing in the book – wrestling with God. 

Habakkuk is set in the late seventh century BC, just before the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem and took the Judeans into exile at the start of the sixth century BC.

What were people feeling?

From what we can tell, some people were very confident that God would save them as he always had. Others, like Habakkuk, were anxious about what was going to happen.

Other books set around this time

2 Kings 17–25, 2 Chronicles 29–36, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah and Isaiah

Habakkuk is the eighth of the 12 books of the minor prophets.   

As a work of prophecy, it is unusual since it is largely made up of a conversation between Habakkuk and God, rather than messages from God to God’s people. Its focus is on Habakkuk’s fears for the world around him.

1.1 Introduction  
1.2–4 Habakkuk’s first lament 
1.5–11 God’s first answer 
1.12–2.1 Habakkuk’s second lament 
2.2–20 God’s second answer 
3.1–19 Habakkuk’s prayer of praise to God

There will be lots of names you will not know; don’t worry if you can’t place them all. The key ones are given below.

Place

 Cushan, Lebanon, Midian, Paran, Teman

The names of people and peoples

Chaldeans

Other words

Sheol, Selah, idols

Habakkuk is frightened of the world in which he lives and feels as though God doesn’t care, but by the end of the book he worships God, before whom he stands in awe (3.1). Look out for this theme and ask why Habakkuk might have changed his mind. 

In this book Habakkuk is worried about God’s role in the violence that is breaking out all around. Look out for the questions he asks God about this.

If you were to ask God questions about what was going on in the world around you, what kind of questions would you ask? Would you be satisfied with the answers given in this book? If yes, why? If no, why not?

• Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or that inspired you? If you were to pick out a verse that inspired you, which one would you choose?
• Were there any parts of the book that you disliked or that troubled you? 
• What did you think the book was about? 
• Habakkuk was deeply troubled by the violence in his world and God’s apparent role within this violence. Were you satisfied by the questions he asked and the answers God gave? If yes, why did they work? If no, what more would you have liked to have seen? 
• Some people suggest this book is about justice and God’s role in justice. Would you agree, or did you see another theme emerging as you read? 
• The final chapter is a psalm of praise to God. Why do you think it has been included here in the book? Did you feel it fitted with the rest? 
• Did you read anything in the book that touched you, expanded your faith or made you think more deeply about your life and how you live it?