Habakkuk 1:1–6, 12–13; 2:1–4

Explore the Bible 
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

Hard Questions, Harder Answers

Habakkuk 1:1–6, 12–13; 2:1–4

What about evil? (1:1–4)

Habakkuk begins with a common thought among believers in modern society — why does God allow so much evil to exist? Today we have robberies, racism, murders — the list of crimes goes on and on. Why does God allow such things to take place in our world? Habakkuk had to deal with the same issues in his day. The Israelites were God’s chosen people. They had the Law and the knowledge of what God expected of them and yet here were God’s people cheating each other, inflicting violence on each other and living in total disregard for the Law of God. Where was God in all of this? Habakkuk wanted to know.

The book of Habakkuk begins with such a question. Some may think it strange that a prophet of the Lord would bring such a question to God; after all, who would dare question God? But God is not upset. We often think we cannot question God but when one reads the Old Testament, especially the Psalms, one finds the authors of Scripture time and again asking God for answers. God is our heavenly Father and just as we can ask questions of our earthly father — “Why do I have to be in by 11 p.m.? Why do I have to eat my vegetables?” — we are able to ask God our questions. In fact it is better to bring our questions to God rather than to another “authority.” 

Just as Habakkuk was wondering where God was in the midst of evil, we often encounter this question in our society if in fact we don’t ask it ourselves.

I Am in Control (1:5–6)

God answers Habakkuk’s question, revealing that He was still in control even though evil ran amok. However, the answer that God gives is not the one that Habakkuk is expecting to hear. God is fully aware of the evil that is taking place and He is prepared to deal with it — in His timing. Instead of God dealing with the criminals individually, He was raising up the army of the Babylonians to come and bring His wrath. The Babylonians were a feared people and extremely wicked. God was going to bring in a group more evil than Israel to punish Israel. Imagine a situation like that today.  

But God, Why? (1:12–13; 2:1)

Habakkuk did not like God’s answer and asked Him why He would choose to punish Israel by a force that seemed even more evil than the evildoers in Judah. Habakkuk appealed to God’s holiness, pointing out that God is holy and cannot tolerate sin and wickedness. How then could He tolerate this evil nation of Babylon? Surely if any nation was evil and sinful, it was the Babylonians. Habakkuk asked this and waited for God’s reply.

Trust Me (2:2–4)

God told Habakkuk to wait because the prophecy would come true, but Habakkuk — and those who trusted in God — must live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4 is one of the most important verses in the Bible. Paul refers to it in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and it appears in Hebrews 10:38. For Habakkuk it was important that he remember that even though it will appear as if the Babylonians would triumph, God would always provide for those who trust in Him. Many people trust in their circumstances or in their power; such was the case with the Babylonians. But Christians trust in Him alone. Only God can save us and this salvation is not anything we can earn. 

Habakkuk was given an answer he didn’t like but God assured Him that He was in control, fully aware of the issues and that He had provided for His people who trust in Him by faith. This is the same for us today. God is aware of our trials and problems and has provided an answer for us. It may not always be the answer we hope for but it is always for our best.