From Questioning to Confidence: A Journey of Faith Through the Prophet’s Dialogue with God
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 2
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 276 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
The book of Habakkuk presents a raw and honest dialogue between the prophet and God, moving from doubt and questioning to faith and worship. In the beginning, Habakkuk wrestles with the apparent silence of God in the face of injustice and violence. He struggles with the tension of why God allows wickedness to thrive while the righteous suffer. God answers by revealing His plan to use the Babylonians as an instrument of judgment, a revelation that shocks the prophet even more. Yet through his wrestling, Habakkuk comes to understand that the righteous must live by faith, trusting God’s sovereignty even when circumstances seem unbearable. The book culminates in a powerful prayer of praise, where Habakkuk, despite looming judgment, declares his unwavering trust in God’s salvation and strength.
Habakkuk 1
In chapter 1, Habakkuk voices his first complaint to God, lamenting the rampant injustice, violence, and corruption among his people. He is troubled by God’s seeming inaction, asking, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2). God responds by revealing His plan to raise up the Babylonians (Chaldeans) as an instrument of judgment against Judah. However, this answer shocks Habakkuk even more, as the Babylonians are themselves ruthless and idolatrous. The prophet questions how a holy God could use such a wicked nation to punish His chosen people. This chapter sets the stage for the central tension of the book—understanding God’s justice when His methods seem incomprehensible.
Habakkuk 2
In chapter 2, Habakkuk waits for God’s reply after voicing his concerns, positioning himself like a watchman on a tower to receive the Lord’s answer. God responds with a vision that the prophet is instructed to write plainly so that others may run with it, emphasizing that though the fulfillment may seem delayed, it will certainly come. The central truth given is that “the righteous will live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4), a principle later echoed throughout the New Testament (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). God pronounces five “woes” against the proud and oppressive—condemning greed, violence, exploitation, idolatry, and injustice. These judgments reveal that the wicked will not escape accountability, even if for a time they appear to prosper. This chapter highlights God’s sovereignty and justice, calling believers to live by faith amid uncertainty and delay.
Habakkuk 3
In chapter 3, Habakkuk turns from questioning to worship, offering a prayer that reflects both reverence and trust in God’s power. He recalls God’s mighty acts in history—His deliverance of Israel, His power displayed in nature, and His judgment against enemies—which serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness. The imagery is poetic and dramatic, portraying God as a divine warrior marching through the earth with power and majesty. Despite the prophet’s awareness of the coming devastation at the hands of the Babylonians, he chooses to rejoice in the Lord, declaring that his strength comes from God alone. Habakkuk’s declaration, “Though the fig tree does not bud…yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (Habakkuk 3:17–18), captures the essence of unwavering faith. The chapter closes with a powerful testimony of trust, showing that true faith clings to God not because of present circumstances but because of who God is.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Habakkuk comes from the Hebrew word ḥăḇaqqûq, meaning “embrace” or “to wrestle.” This meaning is fitting because Habakkuk wrestles with difficult questions about God’s justice and timing, yet ultimately learns to embrace faith in God’s sovereignty.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of the book is to show that God is sovereign even when His ways are mysterious, and that the righteous must live by faith in the midst of injustice, suffering, and impending judgment. It addresses the timeless struggle of reconciling God’s holiness with the reality of evil in the world, reminding believers that God’s justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The author of the book is the prophet Habakkuk himself. Internal evidence supports this, as the book begins with “The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received” (Habakkuk 1:1). The book is written in a dialogue form between Habakkuk and God, suggesting firsthand experience. While Habakkuk is not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament, the New Testament affirms his message when Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 (“the righteous will live by faith”) in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and the author of Hebrews 10:38. These references show that early Christians recognized Habakkuk as the legitimate source of the prophecy, confirming his authorship and the authority of his words.
Key People:
Habakkuk – the prophet who questions God and later submits in faith.
God (Yahweh) – who responds to Habakkuk’s complaints and reveals His plan for justice.
The Babylonians (Chaldeans) – the nation God uses as an instrument of judgment against Judah, though they themselves will later face His judgment.
Conclusion
The book of Habakkuk moves from complaint to confidence, from wrestling with God’s silence to rejoicing in God’s salvation. It teaches that while God’s ways may be difficult to understand, His justice is certain, and His timing is perfect. The ultimate lesson is captured in Habakkuk’s declaration: no matter the circumstances, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18). This book reminds us that faith is not rooted in what we see, but in who God is.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Habakkuk 1
In Habakkuk 1, God reveals Himself as just, holy, and sovereign. The prophet struggles to understand why a holy God would allow violence and injustice to continue among His people, but God reminds him that He is fully aware of what is happening and has a plan for judgment. Even though the Babylonians are more wicked than Judah, God shows that He uses all nations and events to accomplish His purposes. The lesson is that God sees what we do not, and His justice may not operate on our timetable, but it is always perfect and purposeful.
The Hebrew name YHWH (Yahweh, “the LORD”) is used in Habakkuk 1:2, where the prophet cries, “How long, O LORD, must I call for help?” Yahweh emphasizes God as the covenant-keeping God who is faithful to His promises. Habakkuk struggles with this because it seems God’s covenant people are being left to suffer, yet Yahweh is showing that His holiness requires judgment even for His own people. The lesson here is that God’s covenant love does not ignore sin—He disciplines His people to bring them back to Himself.
Habakkuk 2
In chapter 2, God’s character is revealed as righteous, faithful, and just in all His dealings. He calls Habakkuk to wait patiently for the fulfillment of His promises, assuring him that the vision “will not delay.” God contrasts the proud, whose souls are not upright, with the righteous who will live by faith. The lesson here is that faith is the key to standing firm in uncertain times, trusting that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
The chapter again uses YHWH (the LORD) in Habakkuk 2:20: “But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” This emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty and His position as King over all creation. The lesson is that while the wicked may seem to thrive for a time, God’s holiness and authority demand reverence, and His justice will be carried out. This calls us to humble silence and trust before His throne.
Habakkuk 3
In chapter 3, God’s character is revealed as powerful, faithful, and the source of salvation. Habakkuk remembers God’s mighty works in the past—how He delivered Israel and defeated their enemies—and is reassured that God’s power is unchanged. Even though the future looks bleak with the coming Babylonian invasion, Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in God, trusting Him as Savior and strength. The lesson is that true faith worships God not for circumstances but for who He is.
In Habakkuk 3:18, the prophet declares, “I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Here, the names YHWH (the LORD) and Elohei Yishi (“God of my Salvation”) are used. These names reveal God as the covenant-keeping Lord who saves His people. The lesson is that when everything else fails—crops, flocks, stability—God remains the source of strength, joy, and salvation, teaching us to anchor our hope in Him alone.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
In Habakkuk 1, how does God’s holiness contrast with the wickedness Habakkuk sees in Judah and the Babylonians?
What does God’s willingness to answer Habakkuk’s questions reveal about His patience and relational nature?
How does Habakkuk 2:4 (“the righteous shall live by faith”) reflect God’s character as faithful and just?
In Habakkuk 2:20, what does God’s presence in His holy temple teach us about His sovereignty over the nations?
How does Habakkuk 3 portray God as both a warrior and a deliverer?
What does Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 reveal about God’s consistency and faithfulness throughout history?
How do God’s actions in Habakkuk show that He is both just in judgment and merciful toward His people?
Questions About Themes:
What is the central struggle of Habakkuk, and how does it reflect the theme of faith in the midst of suffering?
How does the theme of God’s sovereignty over nations emerge through His use of the Babylonians for judgment?
What role does the theme of waiting play in Habakkuk 2:3–4, and how is it relevant today?
How do the five “woes” in Habakkuk 2 highlight the theme of divine justice against pride, greed, and oppression?
In what way does Habakkuk 3 present the theme of worship as a response to hardship?
How does the shift from complaint (chapter 1) to confidence (chapter 3) reflect the overarching theme of trust in God?
How is the theme of God’s faithfulness across history emphasized in Habakkuk’s remembrance of past deliverances in chapter 3?
Reflective Application Questions:
When you face injustice or suffering, how do you respond—do you wrestle with God like Habakkuk, or do you remain silent?
How can Habakkuk’s example encourage you to bring your honest questions and struggles before God?
What does it mean for you personally to “live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) in your current life situation?
Are there areas where you are tempted to rely on your own strength or timing instead of trusting God’s sovereignty?
How can Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 inspire you to choose joy and worship even when circumstances don’t improve?
In what ways can remembering God’s past faithfulness help strengthen your trust in Him for the future?
What practical steps can you take to move from complaint to confidence in your walk with God?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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