Habakkuk - part 1

Habakkuk is a small, but important book in the Old Testament. This little book was written by the prophet Habakkuk, whose name means either “the embracer” or “the wrestler”. Interestingly, Habakkuk wrestled with the question of why God would let evil go unpunished and why God would bring tragedy and misfortune on His own people. But at the same time he embraced salvation by faith.

Let’s read Habakkuk’s 1st complaint in chapter 1, verses 2 through 4 (New International version):

2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
       but you do not listen?
       Or cry out to you, "Violence!"
       but you do not save?
 3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
       Why do you tolerate wrong?
       Destruction and violence are before me;
       there is strife, and conflict abounds.
 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
       and justice never prevails.
       The wicked hem in the righteous,
       so that justice is perverted.

Well, people just don’t seem to follow God’s rules and Habakkuk doesn't seem to understand why God allows this to go on. The law is paralyzed and justice doesn't prevail. The evildoers are surrounding the righteous and justice is perverted. This sounds pretty current to me. Think about it. Here are the same verses in a really modern translation (The Message):

1-4 The problem as God gave Habakkuk to see it: God, how long do I have to cry out for help
   before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, "Help! Murder! Police!"
   before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil,
   stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out,
   quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces.
   Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung
   and stand justice on its head.

We find God’s answer in verses 5 – 11 and essentially God says He is going to use the Babylonians to punish Israel.

(part 2 next Wednesday)