“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. Like Job, Habakkuk gets to engage God in a direct dialogue, beginning with doubt and frustration and ending with rejoicing.
Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below.
Summary
Habakkuk’s message is a dialogue between himself and God — a sort of wrestling match with the Creator over his unfathomable ways.
- Category: Prophets
- Theme: Trust
- Timeline: Written around 605 BC
- Written: Attributed to Habakkuk
Key Verse
“…The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of the deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” — Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NIV)
From Doubt to a Deeper Understanding
The tone of Habakkuk’s questions reveal two frustrations. First, he did not understand why evil ran unchecked among the people of God. Second, how could God bless the pagan Babylonians who stood in opposition to God’s commands?
Like Job, Habakkuk argued with God, and achieved a deeper understanding of God’s sovereign character and a firmer faith. God was not to be worshiped merely because of temporal blessings, but for His own sake.
7 Day Reading Guide
Here is a seven-day guide to the prophets Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai.
(See 30-day guide with all Minor Prophets below.)
- Day 1: Micah 1-2
- Day 2: Micah 3-4
- Day 3: Micah 5-7
- Day 4: Nahum
- Day 5: Habakkuk
- Day 6: Zephaniah
- Day 7: Haggai
The Answer to Evil
Joyful hope similar to what Habakkuk ends with is only possible because of the work of Jesus Christ. He is God’s perfect answer to the evil that pervades our fallen world.
Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.
Chris Fann is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harper Christian Resources. He loves the smell ofa baseball glove, coffee, and old books. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, 2 teenage boys, and their dog, Freya.
