Habakkuk

Habakkuk as a whole book is sort of hard to understand. I think he is making allusions to current events in his poetic prophesies making it hard to exactly know what he is saying. But interspersed are wonderful quotable passages, bon mots almost, which are quoted in the New Testament, some by Jesus. Some are quoted today and used in hymns and songs of praise.

These prophesies, each chapter seems to be a different prophesy, seem to be the result of a robust, honest relationship Habakkuk has with God.

Chapter 3 sees Habakkuk waiting for the awful thing that he has foreseen to actually happen. His country and his people will be invaded by a cruel and bloodthirsty people. All that he has known and loved will be destroyed. All he can do is wait. And yet he concludes that God is good and just. He is the only one who is worthy of praise and glory.

The quotable passages in Habakkuk:

(Habakkuk 2:3 ESV) For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not tarry. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

(Habakkuk 2:4b ESV) "but the righteous shall live by his faith."

(Habakkuk 2:14 ASV) For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of GOD, as the waters cover the sea.

(Habakkuk 2:20 DRB) But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silent before him.

(Habakkuk 3:2d ASV) In wrath remember mercy.

(Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no crop; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

(Habakkuk 3:19 CEV) The LORD gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.