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¹ The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
² O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
³ Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
⁴ Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
⁵ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
⁶ For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
⁷ They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
⁸ Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
⁹ They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
¹⁰ And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
¹¹ Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
¹² Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.
¹³ Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
¹⁴ And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
¹⁵ They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
¹⁶ Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
¹⁷ Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
🌾 When Righteousness Seems Silent, God is Still Speaking 🌾
“O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” – Habakkuk 1:2
Habakkuk Chapter 1 opens with a desperate cry from the prophet. Unlike other prophetic books, this one is a dialogue—an honest, raw exchange between a man burdened by injustice and a God whose ways are higher than ours. As we walk through this chapter, we witness a powerful lesson: even when evil seems to triumph, God is still in control and working behind the scenes.
This chapter challenges our trust, sharpens our faith, and calls us to wait on God’s perfect justice, even when His answer isn’t what we expected.
Explore more on the Bible page and discover similar cries in the Lost Books of the faithful.
📜 Structure of Habakkuk Chapter 1
Verses 1–4: The Prophet’s Complaint Against Injustice
Habakkuk cries out in anguish over the violence and lawlessness in Judah. The law is slack, judgment never goes forth, and the wicked compass the righteous. His lament echoes a familiar cry—why does evil seem to win?
- Lesson: The righteous can boldly approach God with their burdens. He invites our honesty.
- Connection: See similar cries in Psalm 73, where Asaph questions the prosperity of the wicked.
Verses 5–11: God’s Shocking Response—Raising Up Babylon
God answers: He is raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians), a bitter and hasty nation, to bring judgment. Their power is terrifying, swift, and overwhelming. This isn’t the answer Habakkuk expected—judgment through a more wicked nation?
- Key Insight: God’s ways often seem upside down to us. He uses unlikely tools to accomplish divine justice.
- Parallel Passage: Compare with Isaiah 10, where God uses Assyria as the rod of His anger.
Verses 12–17: Habakkuk’s Second Complaint—Why Use the Wicked?
Habakkuk questions God again. If God is eternal and pure, how can He allow the wicked to devour those more righteous? Are people like fish, caught and slaughtered by nations who worship their own strength?
- Theme: The struggle between faith and understanding. The prophet is not doubting God’s existence—he’s wrestling with His methods.
- Inward Reflection: Even prophets don’t always grasp God’s timing. But they choose to trust nonetheless.
💡 Key Themes
✨ God Is Listening Even When He Seems Silent
Habakkuk’s cries go unheard for a time, but God does answer. He sees. He acts. He speaks—on His schedule, not ours.
✨ Judgment Comes in Unlikely Forms
God raises up the Babylonians to judge Judah. It reminds us that He is not bound by human logic. His instruments may surprise us, but His righteousness never fails.
✨ Honest Faith Isn’t Always Quiet
Habakkuk shows that it’s okay to wrestle with God’s will. Real faith isn’t afraid to ask tough questions. It clings to God even when answers confuse.
👤 Key People
- Habakkuk – A prophet burdened by the sin around him. His faith doesn’t silence his questions—it gives him strength to bring them before God.
- The Chaldeans (Babylonians) – A powerful, ruthless empire that God uses as an instrument of judgment.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Habakkuk 1 teaches us that faith is not blind submission—it’s bold trust. When the world feels upside down, when wickedness prospers, we’re reminded: God sees. He’s at work. He allows temporary injustice for eternal purposes.
This chapter speaks to the trailblazers who cry out today in a dark world. Be encouraged—God hears your voice, and your trust is never wasted.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Do you bring your raw emotions to God like Habakkuk did?
- How do you respond when God’s plan doesn’t match your expectations?
- What current injustice makes you cry out to heaven, and how can you anchor your heart in God’s sovereignty?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Habakkuk Chapter 2