(The Questions)
One of the minor prophets, Habakkuk, is only three chapters long. This prophet lived before Israel’s fall, when the Babylonian threat grew. When he cried out to God with his complaints, God responded. The questions he asked could be asked today by Christians living in troubled cities or under persecution. They illustrate the emotion with which Habakkuk approached God and the depths of trouble around him. Habakkuk accused God of not listening. As he poured out his queries about violence, God was listening. Throughout the next few weeks, we will reflect on his questions, God’s response and its effect on Habakkuk. Habakkuk asked about the violence, ineffective laws and the lack of justice.
Violence
Habakkuk felt like he had been crying out to God for help – for a long time. Violence and destruction were everywhere. Before him, there was misery. There were evil deeds. The people loved to argue and fight. He yelled at God.
“You do not listen.”
“You don’t come to save.”
Ineffective Laws
“The law has become paralyzed,” he said. As this righteous man observed the decline of his society, he couldn’t understand why God wasn’t stepping in. No one was being held accountable for their wrongdoings.
Lack of Justice
The amount of wickedness during this time inverted the legal system. The sheer number of evildoers changed what was wrong to be right while the right became wrong. There was no justice. Like at the end of the Book of Judges, everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Justice had been perverted.
Habakkuk took his concerns to God. He expressed his troubled heart. He asked his questions.