Habakkuk Commentary
Browse the in-depth literary-unit commentary for Habakkuk.
Habakkuk brings a faithful but troubled complaint to God: Judah is full of violence and justice has broken down. Yahweh answers that he is already at work by raising up Babylon to judge Judah, but this answer exposes a deeper problem, because Babylon itself is
God assures Habakkuk that the vision of judgment is certain even if its fulfillment seems delayed. The proud, violent, idolatrous oppressor—historically Babylon—is doomed under a series of divine woes, while the righteous are called to live by faithful trust.
Habakkuk answers looming judgment by pleading for renewed mercy, rehearsing Yahweh's past warrior-like deliverance, and confessing joy in God alone even when covenant life and material provision fail.