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Habakkuk 1

Hab 1


Habakkuk 1

1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's.

7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.

9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.



10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.

11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.

12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.

17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

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Summary and the Meaning of Habakkuk Chapter 1 from the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible

The book of Habakkuk, found in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, is unique in the prophetic literature. Unlike other prophetic books, Habakkuk's narrative centers on a dialogue between the prophet himself and God. Chapter 1 of Habakkuk, in particular, sets the stage for this divine-human conversation, revealing the prophet's deep anguish over the moral decay of his society, and his confusion over God's seeming inaction in the face of such wickedness. In this essay, we will delve into the themes and meanings of Habakkuk Chapter 1, offering a comprehensive understanding of this compelling piece of biblical literature.

The Prophet's Lament and God's Response

Habakkuk Chapter 1 opens with the prophet's plaintive cry to God, lamenting the violence, injustice, and wrongdoing he sees all around him. He questions why God seems to tolerate evil and allows wickedness to go unpunished. Habakkuk uses evocative language to express his distress, painting a vivid picture of a society in moral decay. This lament serves as a plea for divine intervention, a call for God to step in and rectify the rampant injustice.

God's response to Habakkuk's lament is both unexpected and perplexing. He announces His plan to raise up the Babylonians, a fierce and ruthless people, to punish Judah for its sins. This response is a critical point in the narrative, signaling a shift in the dynamics of the divine-human dialogue. The idea that God would use a wicked nation to punish His own people is bewildering and raises new questions about God's justice and morality.

The Wicked as Instruments of Divine Judgment

The central theme of Habakkuk Chapter 1 is the paradox of divine justice. The idea that God would use the wicked as instruments of His judgment challenges conventional wisdom about God's righteousness and fairness. This theme is not unique to Habakkuk but is a recurring motif in biblical literature. However, it is in Habakkuk that this theme is explored most intensely. The prophet's struggle to understand God's ways is a testament to his deep faith and his unwavering commitment to justice.

This theme also speaks to the complexity of divine providence. God's ways are often inscrutable to human understanding, and His plans may seem perplexing and even unjust from our limited perspective. However, the narrative of Habakkuk Chapter 1 assures us that God is in control, even when it seems otherwise. Even the wicked, in their wickedness, are part of God's sovereign plan. This is a profound and challenging message, one that invites us to trust in God's wisdom and justice, even when we do not understand His ways.

Habakkuk's Second Complaint and the Theodicy Problem

Habakkuk's second complaint, following God's revelation of His plan, raises the problem of theodicy. How can a just and holy God use a wicked nation to punish His own people? This question is not merely theoretical but is deeply personal for Habakkuk. He is grappling with the reality of suffering and injustice, and his faith in God's righteousness is being severely tested.

The problem of theodicy is a universal human question, one that has been asked in every age and culture. It is a question that confronts us with the mystery of divine sovereignty and human free will, and challenges us to reconcile our faith in a just God with the reality of evil and suffering in the world. Habakkuk's struggle with this question makes him a relatable figure for all who wrestle with the problem of evil.

God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

Another important theme in Habakkuk Chapter 1 is the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God is ultimately in control of all things, human beings are not mere pawns in His hands. We are moral agents, responsible for our actions and their consequences. The fact that God uses the Babylonians to punish Judah does not absolve them of their wickedness, nor does it absolve Judah of its sins. This theme underscores the biblical teaching that while God is sovereign, He does not condone evil, and He holds us accountable for our actions.

In conclusion, Habakkuk Chapter 1 is a rich and complex piece of biblical literature that explores profound theological themes. It confronts us with the paradox of divine justice, the problem of evil, and the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Through Habakkuk's dialogue with God, we are invited to wrestle with these challenging issues, and to trust in God's wisdom and justice, even when we do not understand His ways.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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