The Book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament is one of those well kept secrets. At least in my opinion. Tucked away between two other books most people have probably never heard of.
Habakkuk was one of the 12 minor prophets of that era and the meaning of his name is uncertain. It is believed that he witnessed the fall of the Assyrian empire and the rise of the Babylonian Kingdom near the end of the 17th century B.C.
The book appears to be a dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk is greatly concerned with the huge problem of evil in his time. He questions God as to how He (God) can watch this evil take place and permit such violence and perverseness by wicked people upon innocent lives.
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help and You will not hear? Or cry out to You of violence and You will not save?” vs:1:2
I wonder how many of us like Habakkuk have called out to God with this same question? I know I have. And I know there are many non-believers in the Scriptures as well as many Christians at one time or another who have done so. How many times have we made a comment towards a terrible thing that has been done being reported on TV? Or perhaps just in a casual conversation with a friend of some evil doing that has happened to someone.
God answered Habakkuk, just like He has answered many of the prophets throughout the ages. Those same answers apply to us even in our time.
“Look around [you, Habakkuk, replied the Lord] among the nations and see! And be astonished! Astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days [such] that you would not believe it if it were told you.”
The emphasis God used to answer Habakkuk in this verse should cause us to pay attention and not to worry. If we believed that God is in control and is well aware of the evil workings of this world and has plans in effect to punish the evil doers, we would know the answer to this question. No evil will go unpunished.
But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth hush and keep silence before Him.”