Habakkuk; Who?

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Habakkuk’s prophecy begins simply, “The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw” (Hab. 1:1). Habakkuk is one of three Minor Prophets who we know only their names. He is also one of only three who describes himself as a “prophet.” That’s all we know about him, but the apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews knew who Habakkuk was.

Habakkuk’s heart was burdened by the injustice among God’s people and by their coming destruction by the Chaldeans. Habakkuk’s questions and God’s answers should burden the conscience of this prideful nation. For, God will punish them because their souls are not right within them. From the vision which God revealed to Habakkuk, he wrote, “But, the righteous shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4). With these words, the apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews agreed; by inspiration, quoting them three times in letters to the Romans, Galatians and Hebrews. Yet, each time the words are quoted, there is a different emphasis.

“The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Paul is teaching that only those who have a true life of faith, based upon the gospel which is the power of God for salvation, are righteous.

“The righteous shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). Paul is teaching that everyone who seeks to be righteous by fulfilling the works of every Law will be cursed. Those who seek to be justified, only do so by living by faith.

“The righteous shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38). The writer is teaching the certainty of the coming judgment; when many will spiritually die because of their sins. But, Christians who by faith endure in doing the will of God shall live.

Someone may still ask, “Habakkuk; who?” We know his name, we know he was a prophet, and we know the power of six, simple words. We are accounted among the righteous because of faith in the gospel. We are justified because we live not by the works of the Law, but by the works of faith. Being among the righteous and living by faith, we are assured to live forever with our God who first revealed to Habakkuk, “The righteous shall live by faith.”