Book of Habakkuk

Click here for the previous book, Nahum.

CHAPTER 1

This is one I’m predisposed to like.  We’ve seen Habakkuk before.  He made a surprise, and frankly bizarre appearance late in the Book of Daniel.  That the author of Daniel (or at least that part of Daniel) would pick Habakkuk as his random prophet to drop into the story made me like this particular Minor Prophet.

Then I read the introduction, and it also sounds nice.  Apparently, this book is unique among the prophets in that it is entirely a challenge to God’s justice.  It’s like a miniature version of Job.  Oh, I liked Job.  Also, it’ll focus on justice – you know, like Amos did.  Oh, I liked Amos. 

So it’s a shame that the Book of Habakkuk itself is a let down.  It’s not bad.  It’s just a let down. 

It’s a dialogue between Habakkuk and God.  Habakkuk has a question for God: if you are just then why did you let horrible people have power?  Habakkuk is living in Judah late in the nation’s existence and the rulers are wicked and the just suffer.

God has an answer – chill, dude. Sure the wicked are riding high and mighty for now, but don’t worry – they’ll get theirs.  I’m sending the Chaldeans (i.e. the Babylonians) after them and soon they’ll be slaughtered and crushed.  So he’ll punish the well off for their wickedness.

But that just leads to Habakkuk’s second complaint.  Dear Lord – these Babylonians suck.  They are violent and lord over us. 

CHAPTER 2

Did I mention that Habakkuk has award chapter breaks? Well it does, as evidenced here.  Anyhow, God does respond to Habakkuk’s second complaint.  Don’t worry, eventually I’ll care for the faithful.

Yeah, these really aren’t very satisfactory answers.  God’s answer to the first question just causes a new problem.  Congrats!  We know longer have Hebrew elite hurting us ….instead, we have Babylonians elites hurting us.  Good one, God. The second answer is so vague it’s so generally worded that I had to read it twice to see how it answered the question – and even then I’m not sure I wouldn’t have gotten it if it wasn’t for the book’s introduction) and slight (just three verses!) that it’s hardly even worth being an answer.

Look, being a mini-Job book is a tough act.  Job is one of the standout books in the Bible so you’re setting yourself up for failure by mining that same ground.   But do you have to fall this short of Job-ian standards?

The rest of the chapter is a long series of statements against tyrants.  It’s nice to see Habakkuk raise the flag for social justice, as he opposed the rich and elite who use their power to serve self-centered aims.  It’s nothing that original, but it’s a Bible theme I approve of.  The more we repeat this refrain, the more we make monotheism centered on equitable treatment to our fellow man. As a non-believer, that’s a statement I can get behind.

CHAPTER 3

This is just a series of statements about how great and powerful God is. It’s well done, but this is a theme we’ve seen a lot of before now.  And as a non-believer, this doesn’t do nearly as much for me as the social justice theme.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

It’s disappointing, but I’ll give it credit for trying.  The dialogue with God is poorly done, but I like the notion that God’s justice is centered on proper treatment of people.  Habakkuk’s heart is in the right place, but his goals exceed his talent as a prophet.

Click here for the next book, Zephaniah.