Prophetic Profile: Habakkuk

Habakkuk carries the official title of “prophet,” suggesting he was formally recognized as such. Little else is known about his family background or origin. Habakkuk is witness to several major events in and around the Southern Kingdom. Assyria is in decline, as is Egypt, while Babylon is on the rise. Nineveh, the capitol of Assyria, falls to Babylon in 612. By 605, Babylon has defeated both Assyria and Egypt, and becomes the ruling power in the Ancient Near East.
No kings are mentioned by name in Habakkuk, which is why it is difficult to determine exactly when he wrote. Habakkuk is perplexed and irritated by the wickedness and injustice he sees. This suggests that Josiah, the last good king of Judah, had succumbed to his death in battle with Egypt (609). Jehoahaz briefly reigns after Josiah, until the wicked Jehoiakim (609-597) is made king by Egypt (2 Kings 23:35-24:6). He also pays tribute to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and his unfaithfulness brings about the impending judgment of the Lord. It is likely that Habakkuk prophesied between Josiah’s death in 609 and Babylon’s victory in 605.
The first two chapters of Habakkuk illustrate the prophet’s struggle to make sense of his world. He issues two formal complaints to the Lord and a dialogue between them ensues. Habakkuk complains that Judah’s wickedness not be allowed to continue. God responds by reminding Habakkuk that he alone has freedom and righteousness in judgment, and that he will judge the wicked but will also fully redeem his people. Habakkuk’s second complaint questions God’s decision to use a wicked nation to judge his people. Assyria had fallen to God’s judgment and now Babylon was a rising threat. Why had the Lord seemingly turned on his people again? The Lord reminds Habakkuk that he is free to treat “like with like” and that the righteous must live by faith (2:4). Following this is a dramatic change in Habakkuk’s attitude as he submits himself to the Lord’s will. Chapter 3 is the poetic prayer of the prophet, where Habakkuk finds rest in the final triumph of God’s righteousness.