(Part 1)

JBTM Paul D. Wegner
103
STEP 1: STOP COMPLAINING AND LISTEN TO GOD (1:1–11)
Habakkuk’s Complaint (1:1–4)
In the first section of the book, Habakkuk begins his journey by questioning God. At
this point he cannot believe that a good, all-powerful God cannot or would not just fix
things. Wow, we have all been there haven’t we? Let’s read Habakkuk’s complaint in vv. 1–4.
Habakkuk simply can’t believe that God has allowed so much evil to continue to exist.
He seems to question how an all-powerful God who could fix everything has let this happen.
It’s as though he is saying, This is just wrong, God. Everywhere I look there’s oppression
and violence. And justice…justice is turned upside down! Are you even listening to me,
God? Why aren’t you doing anything?
Here is Habakkuk, talking to the creator and sustainer of the universe, telling him
what a lousy job he is doing. How many of you like to be told what to do, especially from
someone who really has no clue what is happening and why? What do you think that God
thinks about Habakkuk’s complaint?
Look with me at Hab 1:2–4 again. Habakkuk implies that he could do a better job. For
one thing, these sinners would all be gone. When they mistreated the righteous, then
“woosh”—he would simply wipe them out. That would really fix things. With wicked
people gone, righteous people would never be treated badly, and no one would be able to
make a mockery out of God and his people again. Don’t you wonder why God didn’t say,
“Oh, Habakkuk! I never thought of that! What a great idea!”? But would it really be a good
idea? What about me when I sin? Should God wipe me out, too? Before long there wouldn’t
be any so-called righteous people left.
Habakkuk was no doubt discouraged, feeling as though his God did not care about
him or his people. He wonders why God does not listen to him, or at least why he doesn’t
answer. Certainly God must not love him or he would have responded.
God’s Response (1:5–11)
God responds to Habakkuk at this point, in vv. 5–11 in a way that would have surprised
him. In essence he is saying in v. 5, “Don’t worry Habakkuk—I am already working on
it.” God has already been preparing an event so utterly amazing that Habakkuk will find
it hard to believe when he hears. God is about to bring the Chaldeans, one of the main
Babylonian tribes and another name for Babylon (v. 6), to invade the land. Verses 6–11
accurately describe the incredible Babylonian army at Nebuchadnezzar’s command. They
were strong and fierce, swooping down on their enemies with a force that few could resist.
With this army, Nebuchadnezzar conquered country after country to enlarge his kingdom.