Habakkuk 1-3: Trust in Times of Doubt

The book of Habakkuk can be seen as a conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and God; a conversation rooted in conflict as a man wrestles with God over the plight and judgment of Israel.

3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?

Habakkuk struggles to understand why God allows evil to flourish in Judah - why aren't the evildoers punished for their sin?

God responds to the prophet:

5 "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. 7 They are dreaded and fearsome...

 God's response to Habakkuk's lament is that He will use the Chaldeans (part of Babylon) to punish Judah. They are a vile and quarrelsome people, and are capable of inflicting great destruction upon their enemies.

This does not fully satisfy Habakkuk though - why would God use an even worse group of people to inflict judgment on Israel? Why should evil be punished by an even greater evil?

13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

 Once again, God has a plan in mind that Habakkuk does not fully understand yet. While Babylon may be used to inflict judgment on Israel, they will also be punished for their wrongdoing:

8 Because you [Babylonia] have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.

After this exchange of questioning and doubt, Habakkuk closes with a confession of trust and admiration in God.

2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear.

 It seems so familiar to watch as the conversation unfolds between God and man; like Habakkuk, we often find ourselves with legitimate questions for God - things in life that have us puzzled or don't seem consistent with His nature. In similar fashion to the story here, God has a sovereign, holy, and just plan for the world that is not always readily apparent to us. His ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are above our thoughts. In the end we must, like Habakkuk, put our faith in God knowing that He is good, He is just, and He is mighty.