Habakkuk is my favorite minor prophet. In case you had difficulty following the book, it is a conversation between Habakkuk and God in which the prophet complains to God and God answers. It’s my favorite because I can relate to his complaints, and because there is a lovely prayer in the end, a hidden gem in this obscure book in a less-traveled portion of God’s word.
Don’t we all wonder about the questions Habakkuk asks God:
- Are you listening? God’s response showed that He was listening, even though the prophet thought He might not be, as indicated by the circumstances around him.
- Why don’t you do something (in this case, about the injustice that was so offensive to him)? God had a plan ready for launching in His time – an amazing plan.
Then, when Habakkuk perceived God’s plan, apparently even witnessed it, he didn’t like it and complained to God about it! His next questions were along the lines of, “Are you kidding me? Do You know what You’re doing?”
God’s response was to assure Habakkuk that His plans work toward the end He has established, when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” That end is certain. This book is a wonderful reminder in the midst of the hopelessness of man’s sin dilemma and the dark consequences it produces that we’ve been reading about in Jeremiah, that GOD WINS IN THE END!
God’s response was not the answer Habakkuk wanted to hear, but it was enough for him somehow. That’s the way it is when we hear from God. If we seek answers elsewhere, an undesirable answer, even if it is truth, may cause us to rage against God. But the one who seeks his answer from God (remember Job? Elijah?) finds God’s answer enough to satisfy. Habakkuk was appalled by the reality he had to accept, and in this sin-cursed world we all will be at times. Look in the final words of the book for this man’s lovely testimony of submission to God’s will. Can you pray the same prayer of submission in the circumstances you face today?