1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received.
2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.
Why? In verse 1 we find out that Habakkuk is a prophet but in verses 1-4, we see that he is simply asking why? He is not praising God (not yet at least) or reprimanding the people, he is asking God, “Why?” And when we look at it closely these questions still have bite to them today.
Why does it seem that God does not hear us?
Why does it seem as though God is not answering prayer?
Why does God do nothing when there is so much violence in the world?
Why is there no justice in the world?
Why are the wicked powerful?
At first glance, it’s sort of like, really? This guy’s a prophet? Where is his faith that moves mountains? When is he going to heal the sick and raise the dead? But he’s asking questions that many people struggle with today. Old Testament prophets weren’t superheroes… they are human and God touched their lives in different ways.
I hate just leaving all these questions up there without even trying to answer them: I like knowing the answers. And we can discuss reasons why God would allow the world to have as much wickedness, violence and injustice as it does.
But in some ways this book will raise questions that aren’t going to be answered. We aren’t in any position to give God a multiple choice test.
I’m reminded of the book of Job where Job questions God. Job goes on and on and God basically tells Job that Job has no business talking like that.
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.” Job 38:2-3 NIV
Habakkuk was living in a difficult time during Israel’s history and he approached God with questions. We will find that God’s answers may not answer all our questions, but maybe they’ll give us insight into who God is. We still may not know why He does what He does: There is going to be room for faith.