Hababbuk

Unique among the prophetic writings for it is a dialog between the prophet and God composed for the nation.  

• Where it fits: Between 612 and 597. Judah is unstable, and Babylon is rising.
• Core message: Faith isn’t pretending everything is fine; it’s trusting God’s character when life isn’t.
• Big themes: honest questions, justice, faith, God’s sovereignty over nations. God is the Lord over the problem of evil.
• Structure:
  1. Habakkuk’s complaint
  2. God’s answer (a nation will be used as judgment)
  3. Habakkuk’s second complaint + God’s “woes”
  4. A final prayer/song of trust
• Why it matters: Habakkuk validates struggle while still calling for trust.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Hababbuk 3:17-18