Page 70 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

How can we learn to trust God in this way? A closer look at these verses reveals some concepts that
help us to trust God more.

First, Habakkuk commits to praising God regardless of external circumstances. The opening of his hymn
delineates a catastrophe: 1) no fruit on the fig trees, 2) no grapes growing on the vines, 3) no olives, 4)
no produce of any kind, 5) a lack of sheep, and 6) a lack of cattle. After this doleful description, the
prophet says, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Habakkuk’s joy was not dependent on physical blessings. Even if Habakkuk suffered extreme loss, he
was determined to praise God. Habakkuk remembered God’s goodness in times past and concluded
God was worthy of praise. The prophet might lack olives and grapes, but he would never be without
God.

Second, Habakkuk praises God specifically for salvation: “I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” God
not only could save; God is salvation. Interestingly, the title “God of my salvation” is used seven times
in the Old Testament. Five of these are found in the Psalms (18:26; 25:5; 27:9; 51:14; 88:1), one in
Habakkuk, and the other in Micah 7:7.

Third, Habakkuk recognizes the Lord as His strength: “GOD, the Lord, is my strength.” This statement is
the central focus of Habakkuk’s hymn. The theme becomes apparent when the literary structure is
diagrammed as follows:

A1 “I will . . .”
A2 “I will . . .”
X “GOD, the Lord, is my strength”
B1 “he makes . . .”
B2 “he makes . . .”

After two statements of the prophet’s determination come two mentions of what God will accomplish
on his behalf. In between, we find “God, the Lord, is my strength.”

The truth of God’s present strength caused Habakkuk to trust God even during the most difficult times.
Like Habakkuk, we can choose to praise God even in the face of desolation. Like Habakkuk, we can
praise God for the salvation He provides in Jesus Christ. And, by seeing God as our source of strength,
we, like Habakkuk, can trust God’s promises.

Brief Summary: The Book of Habakkuk begins with Habakkuk crying out to God for an answer to why
God’s chosen people are allowed to suffer in their captivity (Habakkuk 1:1-4). The Lord gives His answer
to Habakkuk, essentially stating, “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you” (Habakkuk 1: 5-11). Habakkuk
then follows up by saying, “Ok, you are God, but still tell me more about why this is happening”
(Habakkuk 1:17-2:1). God then answers him again and gives him more information, then tells the earth
to be silent before Him (Habakkuk 2:2-20). Then Habakkuk writes a prayer expressing his strong faith in
God, even through these trials (Habakkuk 3:1-19).

Foreshadowings: The Apostle Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 on two different occasions (Romans
1:17; Galatians 3:11) to reiterate the doctrine of justification by faith. The faith that is the gift of God

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