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What is the book of Habakkuk about?


The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received.
 How long, Lord, must I call for help,
    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
    but you do not save?  Habakkuk 1:1-2
The book of Habakkuk followed the conversation between a prophet and God.  In chapter one, Habakkuk complained to God that he saw all this violence and injustice around him but it appeared God did nothing.
God replied by saying he was going to do something amazing and allow the greatest, most evil superpower, Babylon, to take over the known world.  Habakkuk could not believe it.  How could a good God allow such a thing?
In chapter two, God told Habakkuk to wait and see what would happen.  He promised Habakkuk that Babylon would eventually collapse because of God’s judgment.
In chapter three, Habakkuk was glad to hear that and worshiped God despite anything that could come their way.
Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.  Habakkuk 3:17-18