Habakkuk

AN INTRODUCTION The origin of the word ‘Habakkuk’ is not known. Some believe that it means (the embracer or the hugger); Whereas Friedrich and Delitesch bind it to the Assyrian word ‘Hambakkuk’, which is a kind of garden plant1. It is obvious from his psalm that came in the third chapter of his book, and from his instructions to the Chief Musician (3: 19), that Habakkuk was from the tribe of Levi, one of the musicians in the temple; namely, a member of the group of praisers; if not one of its leaders2. A HISTORY OF THE BOOK AND ITS AUTHOR: Although the book carries no date; Yet it is obvious that it was written in the days of Jehoiakim king of Judah (609-598 B.C.); even though it is difficult to fix the exact date of its writing. Because what came in the first chapter (v. 5-6) concerns what precedes the victories of the Chaldeans, That led some critics to believe that the book was written before their conquest over Nineveh the capital of Assyria, and its fall in their hand. As the Chaldeans carried out a number of revolts against Assyria, that were culminated by the fall of Nineveh in the year 612 B.C., which made their role in the world at that time more prominent, and gave them a position of leadership. Then they grew stronger by their conquest over Necho the king of Egypt in the battle of ‘Carchemish’ in the year 605 B.C. (2 Chronicles 35; 20; Jeremiah 46: 2); Most of the critics believe that this prophecy dates back to that particular battle. It is obvious that this book was written during the era of the Chaldeans3, because: a- The temple was still there (2: 20); and the musical ministry was practiced in it (3: 19). 1 J.H. Raven: Old Testament Ontroduction, p. 234. 2 New Westminster Dict. Of the Biblr, p. 396. 3 Ibid. 3 b- It proclaims that the Chaldeans are becoming a fearful power among the peoples during that generation (1: 5, 6); And that they have already started to slay the nations (1: 6, 17). Some believe that the prophet Habakkuk came a short time4 after the prophet Nahum, and that he was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah; although the prophetic ministry of the later has been longer and more prolific5. THE CHALDEANS6: The Chaldeans used to dwell in ‘Chaldea’, south of Babylon; Were the prevailing race in Babylon since 721 – 539 B.C.; Occupied the positions of leadership; And practiced as well the priestly work in the capital, that the name ‘Chaldean’, according to Herodot7, was analogous to (a priest of Baal Merdoch). They were known among the people as men of wisdom and understanding, as magicians, future-tellers, and astrologers (Daniel 1: 4; 2: 2, 4). FEATURES OF THIS BOOK: 1- In our study of the book of Jonah we saw how the divine inspiration intended by it to show God’s care for the city of Nineveh, capital of the heathen nation Assyria; to proclaim His love for all mankind, and His longing for the salvation of the whole world. And in our study of the book of Obadiah we noticed how the prophecy concentrated on Edom, representing the blood-thirsty and the war-loving man, who loves the earthly things (the word ‘Edom’ means bloody or earthly). The book of Habakkuk, on the other hand, concerns the Chaldeans who captivate the people of God, and humiliate them for the sake of their chastisement. The prophet Habakkuk entered into an open and frank debate with God, to ask Him about the secret behind allowing that evil heathen nation to humiliate His people, and not coming to their defense! It is actually the question of all generations: Why would God allow for His 4 Jerome Biblical Comm. P. 296. 5 J. H. raven, p 235. 6 New Westminster Dict. P. 155. 7 Herod. 1: 181, 183. 4 children to fall under afflictions through the wicked? And as the prophet was asking with an open heart, God answered him frankly and openly. 2- This book reveals to us the concept of ‘the word of God’; in that it is not a one-sided talk by God to man; But is rather a twosided debate of love between God and man; a living and an incessant ‘dialogue’, in which God talks, and man listens; And man talks, and God, lovingly listens. … The ‘word of God’ is a relationship of true love between God and man. 3- This book with its three chapters reveals the following attributes of that prophet or minister of the Lord: a- The heart, open before God; God deals with it on a level of debate, and not on an official level of formalities; … On the level of the son who encounters with his father with the daring of sonhood, that exalts above formalities. b- The heart, open toward those he ministers; If the prophet Habakkuk suffered because of the oppression that prevailed among the people of God, Yet, when they fell under God’s chastisement, on the hand of the Chaldeans, the prophet could not endure to hear his people’s moans and groans; and hastened to intercede for his people, or rather for the people of God. c- The heart, open with joy and praise (Chapter 3). If Habakkuk concentrated his eyes on the corruption that prevailed among his people; and on God’s chastisements on them, He would have fallen into despair. But, in the midst of the sufferings, seeing the hidden hand of God works for salvation, he raised a praise of thanksgiving to God; that filled his soul with joy, and kept despair from crawling into his heart. A minister of God, amid the sufferings and pains of ministry, always needs such an attitude, filled with hope. I believe these features to be important in the life of a true minister; integral and well-connected: Talking to God with an open heart; Ministering to people with an open inner love, whatever their reactions are; And a spiritual inner joy, satisfying to his soul. 5 4- This book touches the life of every believer: The first chapter, in which the prophet moans because of the corruption that prevailed among the people, refers to the inner corruption of the soul. … The second chapter, in which he moans because of the troubles caused by the foreign Chaldean nation, refers to the outer spiritual wars. … Then comes the third chapter, with its psalm of joy and praise; … It is as though this book sets forth with the believer to what goes beyond the inner troubles, and the outer spiritual wars, to let him live by the spirit of joy and praise to God. … Yes, he may indeed groans and moans because of the inner and outer anguish; Yet, together with the anguish, there are the comforts of the Holy Spirit, that bring gladness to his soul. 5- This book presents to us the problem of evil, that ends up with the victory of justice. While the wicked pass away, the righteous shall live by their faith (2: 4). The apostle Paul used that principle by Habakkuk in his preaching of faith (Romans 1: 17; Galtians 3: 11; Hebrew10: 38) 8. 6- Through this book we discover the person of the prophet Habakkuk, as someone with deep thoughts, and with a prominent experience in literature. It presents him to us, as well, according to St. Jerome9, as a ‘wrestler with God’. UNITY OF THE BOOK: Some critics attacked the unity of this book; looking at it as being formed of separate parts; written in different times, or different eras altogether. The following is a a concise account of their views, and the rebuttals against them10: 1- As what came in Habakkuk 1: 5-6 apply to a time preceding the onset of the Chaldeans; Whereas what came in Habakkuk 1: 13-16; 2: 8, deal with their victories as past events; That led ‘Wellhausen and Gieseberecht’, to believe that Habakkuk 1: 5-11 represent a separate prophecy, older than the rest of the first chapter and the second chapter. 8 Jerome Biblical Comm. P. 296. 9 Ibid. 10 On Ps. 37. 6 Whereas ‘Stade and Kuenen’ believe that what came in Habakkuk 2: 9-10 do not apply to the Chaldeans, and that the author of this part came in a later era. ‘Raven’ rebuts that it is supposed that the author of the whole book is one and the same – whose name the book carries – unless there is a strong evidence otherwise; which is not the case so far. … What is needed is not an evidence of the authenticity of each part of the book; But the one who objects should present his evidences! On another aspect, As we cannot positively and accurately fix the exact time when Habakkuk lived; Nor have details about the historical events of his days; Therefore, to suggest that certain parts of the book do not reflect the circumstances prevailing around the prophet, is something of little weight! 2- Some critics, considering that what came in the third chapter are quoted from liturgical collection, and is not the work of the prophet Habakkuk, base their view on the fact that they do not conform with the circumstances prevailing at the time. To this ‘Raven’ rebuts that, carrying the headline ‘A prayer by Habakkuk’, What came in that chapter, being a prayer, do not have to reflect the surrounding events like the rest of the book. Anyway, talking about the features of the book, we consider it representing one integral unity, as far as the spiritual faith thought is concerned. THE DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK: 1- A question about God’s chastisement on His people Chapter 1 2- A question about punishing the Chaldeans Chapter 2 3- A psalm of thanksgiving to God Chapter 3