The Book of Habakkuk
Faith that questions — honest wrestling with God, and joy that outlasts the harvest.
Overview
Habakkuk is a conversation between a troubled prophet and God. Habakkuk asks the hard questions — why does evil go unpunished? — and God answers. The book models honest, faith-filled wrestling.
It ends in one of Scripture's most beautiful declarations of trust: though everything fail, yet will I rejoice in the Lord. Its refrain, the just shall live by faith, later became a cornerstone of the gospel.
Key themes
Honest questions
Habakkuk brings his doubts and complaints directly to God.
The just live by faith
In uncertain times, the righteous live by trusting God.
Joy beyond circumstances
Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in God even if everything fails.
Key verses from Habakkuk
the just shall live by his faith.
A verse that would later shape the whole gospel.
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet,
How to read Habakkuk
Read it as a model for bringing honest questions to God.
Sit with the closing declaration of joy when all else fails.
Trace 2:4 into the New Testament, where it shapes the gospel.