Two Complaints to God and a Prayer
Following Zephaniah by a few years is Habakkuk. He is the only person named Habakkuk in the Bible, and he only appears in his book of prophecy.
His ministry overlaps Jeremiah’s and most of Obadiah’s. He prophesies just before Judah’s fall to Babylon.
Unlike the other prophets’ writings, however, Habakkuk’s book records a dialogue between him and God, with God’s response emerging as prophecy.
Habakkuk complains to God. It reads like a lament. Then God responds. Next, Habakkuk issues a second complaint. Again, God responds.
Habakkuk doesn’t complain a third time. Instead, he concludes with a lengthy prayer that reads like a psalm.
We may identify with Habakkuk’s grumbles to God.
His two best-known objections are in Habakkuk 1:5 and Habakkuk 2:3–4. New Testament writers quote both. Acts 13:41 references the first passage, while Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:37–38 cover the second.
Yet we might do better to focus on the end of his prayer, as found in Habakkuk 3:18–19. Despite his discouragement, Habakkuk pledges to rejoice in the Lord and express joy in God, his Savior.
May we do the same.
Though God hears our complaints, might we grumble to him too often?
What can we do to better rejoice in our Lord and Savior?
[Read about Habakkuk in Habakkuk 1:1–2. Discover more in Psalm 35:9.]
Learn about 100 more biblical characters in More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.