Habakkuk prophesied during the final years leading up to the invasion of the country by the mighty Babylonian army. The Northern Kingdom had already fallen to the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and then just over a hundred years later in 612 B.C., the Assyrians were defeated by the Babylonians. And then, just 7 years later, Nebuchadnezzar came to the throne and carried out many military campaigns in the west, including the invasion of Judah in 605 B.C. when he carried off 10,000 of the brightest Jews to serve in his court in Babylon. These included familiar names like Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar would come again in 597 B.C. and then in 586 B.C. when Jerusalem was destroyed, including the Temple.

Because Habakkuk sensed imminent danger from the Babylonians, most scholars believe that Habakkuk prophesied against the leaders in Jerusalem in 607 B.C., just two years before the first invasion by Nebuchadnezzar. It was King Jehoiakim who continued to lead the people of Judah into idolatry, injustice, immorality, and indifference toward God. Just look at how Habakkuk describes the Babylonian army, whom God would use to bring judgment upon His people,

“Their horses are swifter than leopards, and keener than wolves in the evening. Their horsemen come galloping, they come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour. All of them come for violence…and collect captives like sand” (Hab. 1:8-9).

But, in the midst of proclaiming judgment on Judah, Habakkuk still finds time to remind the people that,

“The righteous shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4).

Interestingly, the Apostle Paul makes reference to these words of Habakkuk in his letter to the Romans,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greeks. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written ‘The righteous man shall live by faith’” (Rom. 1:16-17).

In this passage, and throughout all of his letters, Paul continues to emphasize the fact that a right standing with God (righteousness) comes by faith and not by the works, that is, it’s not by religious ritual or acts of goodness.

But there is another verse in Habakkuk that is so helpful for all of us during times of uncertainty,

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The LORD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on my high places” (Hab. 3:17-19).

Yes, even over 2,500 years ago, an Old Testament Prophet provides some wonderful and encouraging words for each of us during times of calamity and uncertainty. Take a minute to meditate on this verse, and then to rejoice in the God of our salvation and the provision He has made for each one of us.

May the Lord bless and encourage each one of you. Peggy and I send our love to you!