OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET

Habakkuk

The Wrestling Prophet

612-589 BC
Judah
Divided Kingdom
God: The Ultimate Author
Divine Inspiration Through Wrestling and Faith

Patient Teacher

God patiently answers Habakkuk's honest questions and doubts

Perfect Justice

His ways are higher than our ways, His justice perfect

Faith Builder

Teaches that the righteous shall live by faith

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." - Habakkuk 2:3

The Wrestling Prophet

Habakkuk stands unique among the prophets as one who dared to question God directly. His name means "embrace" or "wrestler," fitting for a prophet who wrestled with God in prayer and emerged with deeper faith.

Unlike other prophets who primarily delivered God's messages to the people, Habakkuk engaged in a dialogue with God about the problem of evil and suffering. His honest questions and God's patient answers provide timeless wisdom for believers facing doubt and difficulty.

The Prophet's Journey

First Complaint (1:2-4):

"Why do you tolerate wrong? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous?"

God's Answer (1:5-11):

"I am raising up the Babylonians to judge Judah's sin."

Second Complaint (1:12-2:1):

"How can you use the wicked Babylonians to punish those more righteous than they?"

God's Final Answer (2:2-20):

"The righteous will live by faith. Wait for my timing - justice will come."

Book Authored
1 book of the Bible
Habakkuk
OT
Quick Facts
Name Meaning: "Embrace" or "Wrestler"
Ministry Period: 612-589 BC
Contemporary: Jeremiah, Zephaniah
Unique Feature: Dialogue format with God
Key Verse: "The just shall live by faith"

Share This