Habakkuk

Habakkuk is a prophet and poet who prophesied after the destruction of Nineveh. As a poet, Chapter 3 is judged to be his masterpiece. The beauty of his imagery, faith and trust in the Lord must be admired.

The general design of the prophecy is to comfort the people of God under the judgments that were coming upon them by the Chaldeans, and to encourage them to exercise faith and patience. Habakkuk expresses his faith that the people of God would be preserved and would not perish in God's designed captivity … intended for correction only and not destruction. His prayer was for God to hasten the redemption of his people.

Judgment was unavoidable; therefore he submitted to God, knowing that He was merciful, even though all appearances were against the fulfillment of His promises. He knew that the Word of God could not fail, and therefore his confidence was unshaken.

He ends with his masterpiece … his prayer expressing his awe and trust in the mercy and goodness of God while undergoing His judgments. In these following two verses the poet paints the desolate state of the land of Judea during the captivity. They display Habakkuk's confidence in the Lord.


Habakkuk 3:17-18 ..."Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."