Habakkuk Questions God

I love reading in the Old Testament when people were willing to argue with God. I think that shows a level of trust—they trusted that God would listen and not reject them because of their confronting him. I find this in Habakkuk.

Habakkuk complained to God because of the evil in Israel. Why did God ignore it?

Chapter 1:2:

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?

God said he would use the wicked and fierce country of Babylonia as a punishment, but Habakkuk couldn’t believe that was the right thing to do.

Verse 13:

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

God responds that in the end, he will judge wrongdoing.

Chapter 2:16,20:

You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and let your nakedness be exposed! The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory.

The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Habakkuk is humbled, but still he prays for mercy.

Chapter 3:2:

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

In the end, Habakkuk knew, whatever trouble there may be, he had hope with God.

Chapter 3: 17-19:

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. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.