Author

Habakkuk wrote the book named for him (1:1). His name means "embrace." Nothing is known of him other than the fact he was a prophet (1:1).

Date

Habakkuk wrote at a time when all around him was violence, iniquity, trouble, plundering, strife, contention, and injustice as the wicked ruled over the righteous (1:2-4). Apparently he wrote before the Chaldeans (Babylonians) rose to power, but they would be God's instruments in punishing the wicked (1:5-6). Babylon was in power from 625 to 538 B.C. They were the power that destroyed wicked Judah (2 Kings chapters 24 - 25). The conditions Habakkuk describes prevailed in Judah preeminently under the rule of wicked King Manasseh, and it was during his reign the destruction of Judah was determined by the Lord (2 Kings 21:1-16). The period of Manasseh's reign, ca. 695 - 642 BC, seems to be when Habakkuk prophesied.

Audience

Habakkuk is unique among the prophets. Rather than taking the Lord's message to the people, he takes his difficulties, the problems of a faithful man in a wicked nation, to the Lord (1:2). The book consists of a series of prayers by Habakkuk and the Lord’s answers to those prayers. Just as nothing is known of the prophet himself, his book is not addressed to any certain people. As much so as any Old Testament book, Habakkuk's message is timeless and universal.

Theme

Habakkuk faced a difficulty he could neither solve nor comprehend. It was a problem of faith. All around him was wickedness, and evil people were in power and used their power to persecute the just. Why would the Lord not save the righteous? (1:2-4)

What Habakkuk learned and records for our benefit, the theme of his book, quoted three times in the New Testament, is one of the greatest principles of Scripture: "But the just shall live by his faith" (2:4; cf. Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:35-39).

Message

What can I do about a problem that to me is unfathomable? The prophet went to God in prayer (1:2).

The Lord replied that He would punish the wicked by bringing the Chaldeans upon them in judgment (1:5-11). This did not help Habakkuk, for Babylon was more wicked than Jerusalem, and besides, Habakkuk was a Jew! He again prayed fervently, pleading the justice of God and the evil of the Chaldeans (1:12-17).

Then the prophet waited to hear God's reply (2:1). He determined to hear the word of God.

The Lord declared to Habakkuk the principle of salvation: "But the just shall live by his faith" (2:4b).

Then He assured Habakkuk He would also destroy Babylon for their wickedness (2:4-20). God announced another great principle of faith:

"'But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.'"

Finally Habakkuk prayed again, and his prayer ascended to the summit of faith. He pleaded with God to let His judgment be tempered with mercy (3:1-2). He recalled the fact that the Lord's past judgments were for the salvation of His people (3:3-15). As he contemplated impending destruction, he trembled with fear (3:16) but declared in words of surpassing beauty his confidence that, though all his world might crumble:

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (3:17-19).

The prophet had learned to trust God to do right and to bless the faithful, regardless of how bleak his circumstances.

New Testament References

The New Testament quotations of Habakkuk 2:4 teach that salvation is by the gospel (Romans 1:16-17), by the faith in Christ through forgiveness rather than by the law upon sinless obedience (Galatians 3:10-14), and by steadfast endurance (Hebrews 10:35-39).

Conclusion

The prophet had heard through the ears of a waiting servant; he had seen through the eyes of an honest inquirer; He had accepted and made known as a true prophet of God who receives his message from Him; and he was now ready for what ever may come (Homer Hailey, The Minor Prophets. 294).