Weekly Meditations: Habakkuk 3

Habakkuk 3

Habakkuk was a prophet who lived and prophesied shortly before Babylon invaded Judah. His scroll is a conversation between God and him about the impending judgment coming upon Judah and Habakkuk’s response to what God declares. God declares that Babylon is coming to execute judgment against Judah and its wickedness. Habakkuk cannot understand why God would use a pagan nation to do this as if they are more righteous than God’s people. But God assures Habakkuk that Babylon will receive the justice due to it as well because God is still in control and reigns supreme over all nations. 

This brings us to chapter 3 which is a prayer song that was meant to be sung with instruments in the assembly. The prayer describes God as a mighty warrior executing judgment throughout the earth but rescuing his people while doing so. Habakkuk finds comfort in this image, confidently affirming that he will praise God even in the midst of trouble (v.17-18). He realizes God is his source of strength even though he knows disaster is approaching. 

Application

Life is never easy. It might be smooth sailing for a while but eventually a wave will come that will rock the boat. Some waves will really rock the boat and some will completely shatter the ship. Habakkuk saw Babylon as this type of disaster wave. The end was coming and Habakkuk could not understand why God would bring such disaster against his people. God is a God of justice and does what is right. Habakkuk’s response was to pray that Babylon also receive justice and that those who remained faithful to Yahweh, despite the hardship, would be rescued by him. Habakkuk describes a time when there are no figs, crops, sheep, or cattle. This is total devastation to an ancient agricultural civilization where their life depends on such necessities. And yet, Habakkuk says he will still rejoice because God delivered them and can do so again and again. God is not a God of complete devastation, he always saves a remnant, a remnant that is faithful in the midst of hopelessness.