Habakkuk
Introduction
In the Scriptures, the prophet Habakkuk is the first one to dare call God to account. For centuries, faith had been announcing God’s justice. However, this justice had not always been obvious. After many kept silent about their doubts, Habakkuk was the first biblical author who asked boldly: Why does the Lord allow injustice to triumph? Why, when he punishes one oppressor, does he replace him with someone worse?
The answer is twofold:
– The Lord keeps secret how he rules the world and all he asks is that we remain faithful: the upright will live by his faithfulness.
– The prophet contemplates the glory of the Lord who will judge in the end.
Habakkuk spoke his oracles from the years 605–600 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar, who had just destroyed the cruel Assyria, became very powerful himself and plundered Israel.
1.1 Two complaints from the prophet and two answers from God:
– Verses 1-4. First complaint: Why is there so much wickedness in Judah?
– Verses 5-11. God’s ironic answer: Shortly the Chaldeans will restore order by invading and plundering everything.
– Verses 12-16. Second complaint: Why does the Lord use such means as the Chaldean invasion to restore his justice?
2:1-4. The Lord’s answer: One day it will be clear that the good and the evil ones are not treated the same. Those who remain faithful will be saved.
2.1 The divine answer remains mysterious. Later, God will clearly reveal how he rewards the just beyond this life. Before that moment comes it was difficult to clarify the mystery: Apparently, the misfortunes, which were announced as God’s punishment, affected everyone equally. After Habakkuk, Jeremiah asked the same question (Jer 12:1); faced with the unbelief of his companions, Ezekiel tried to reaffirm the justice of the Lord towards everyone (Ezk18); the Book of Job looks for the solution, but its answer will only be partial.
6. Habakkuk reveals the destiny of the conqueror who, for a while, will terrorize the world.
The Assyrians have used weapons to overpower nations, just as other conquerors in history have dominated by their technological advances. They have taken over the control of trade, natural resources from which they take a large portion in the name of services which they can no longer do without. They have imposed their religion, their culture and their own style of development. Uprooted from their slower rhythm of growth, or from their wiser but less efficient civilization, or from their more nonchalant lifestyle, these dominated people now lag behind the powerful of their time, running the risk of losing their souls and of ending up in the garbage bin of history. Habakkuk announces the judgment of God.
The last verse: The Lord lives in his holy temple: let the whole earth be silent before him! (v. 20) introduces the triumphant manifestation of the Lord in the following chapter.
3.1 The prophet calls on the Lord begging him to reveal himself. Then he describes his triumphant coming through a series of poetic images, recalling his past interventions in the history of Israel: the passage through the Red Sea, Sinai, Deborah’s victory.
I wait confidently for the day of distress (v. 16; see Is 8:11). Yet in God, my Savior, will I exult (v. 18): these words are found in Mary’s canticle (Lk 1:47). In the midst of crises and anguish, the just one steps upon the heights (v. 19).