35 - Habakkuk

TLDR: The prophet questions God: why do the wicked prosper? God answers: I am raising Babylon; then I will judge them. "The righteous will live by faith" — quoted in Romans and Hebrews.

Overarching Storyline

Habakkuk's complaint: violence (ch. 1:1–4). God's answer: Babylon (ch. 1:5–11). Second complaint: why use the wicked? (ch. 1:12–2:1). God's answer: vision awaits; the righteous live by faith (ch. 2:2–20). Habakkuk's prayer (ch. 3).

Bible Project: Habakkuk overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Habakkuk, Babylon.
• Image: Watchtower, vision, God coming in glory.
• Number: 3 (chapters), 2 (complaints and answers).
• Phrase: "The righteous will live by faith" (2:4); "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD" (3:18).

Highlights

• Habakkuk 2:4 — The righteous will live by faith (cited Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38).
• Habakkuk 2:14 — The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.
• Habakkuk 3:17–19 — Though the fig tree does not bud, yet I will rejoice in the LORD.

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: Nahum; Habakkuk dialogues with God about justice.
• After: Zephaniah; Habakkuk's "righteous by faith" becomes a pillar of NT theology.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Faith and justice. The righteous live by faith while waiting for God's justice. Paul and the writer of Hebrews use 2:4 to center the gospel on faith.

Interesting Facts

• Habakkuk 2:4 — Central for Reformation theology (faith alone).
• Chapter 3 — A psalm of theophany; God appears in power and salvation.