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Bible #35
Habakkuk
Book 35 of the Old Testament
3 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 606
13 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
July 31, 2023
Review of free Kindle edition
Our preacher once told us that when he was in seminary they used to joke that if you wanted to hide something, hide it in Habakkuk because no one looks there. That is a shame because it is a meaningful short book well worth attention. It contains one of my favorite passages of scripture:
"3:17 For though the fig tree doesn't flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: 3:18 yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 3:19 Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer's feet, and enables me to go in high places."
Even when all is dark, continue to trust in God.
Our preacher once told us that when he was in seminary they used to joke that if you wanted to hide something, hide it in Habakkuk because no one looks there. That is a shame because it is a meaningful short book well worth attention. It contains one of my favorite passages of scripture:
"3:17 For though the fig tree doesn't flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: 3:18 yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 3:19 Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer's feet, and enables me to go in high places."
Even when all is dark, continue to trust in God.
November 24, 2025
“O Lord, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?”
What a beautiful dialogue Habakkuk and God have in this book. It’s different from most prophetic books because it’s a conversation instead of a proclamation. A conversation, I personally find interesting for this day in time. Habakkuk is asking God “how can you tolerate the injustices in the present world?” I don’t know about you, but I’ve also asked this question to God quite a few times in recent years. God goes on to answer Habakkuk and encourages him to put his confidence in God even in the midst of current events of the times. God tells him that the Babylonians will destroy the nation. Habakkuk is confused and asks how he could use such unjust people to destroy a nation? Gods answer is, the Babylonians will face judgement but the FAITHFUL will live. This encourages me and my take away is this- What strengthens Habakkuk and all the faithful in those dark times was the same faith that should sustain us as believers today. In our darkest hours we have to keep our eyes fixed on the source of light and power. Our faith in God should be what sustains us so that our hope and courage can be renewed. We must be faithful to the end.
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him, but the just shall live by their FAITH. “
(Habakkuk 2:4)
August 10, 2019
Habakkuk is depressed about the wickedness in the world, and in despair he cries out to God. God replies. And this is Habakkuk's conclusion:
Though the fig tree should not blossom,And I think that's one small example of the power in prayer.
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
September 13, 2022
"18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills…"
Habakuk 3:18–19
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June 29, 2019How many people throughout history have complained that evil runs rampant while God does nothing? Well the prophet Habakkuk was one of them.
“How long O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you “Violence!” but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?” “Why, then do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked man devours one more just than himself?”
The prophet is answered immediately however. On one hand God is raising up Babylon to chastise Judea. One the other hand Habbakuk is also reminded of the vanity of the gains made by wicked men. They may appear on the outside to be loading themselves up with rewards, but they are really devouring themselves through their greed.
“Wealth too is treacherous; the proud unstable man. He who opens wide his throat like the nether world and is insatiable as death... woe to him who stores up what is not his how long can it last!”
“Woe to him who pursues evil gain for his household...for the stone in the wall shall cry out, and the beam in the woodwork shall answer it!”
“Woe to him who builds a city by bloodshed, and establishes a town by wickedness”
“Woe to him who says to wood 'Awake' to dumb stone 'Arise,'” a characteristic condemnation of idolatry.
It is one of the most common and tragic misconceptions is that sins are victimless crimes, simply transgressions against mysterious and arbitrary antiquated commands. As Judah exhausted its energy and capabilities into luxury and idolatry, it succumbed to an irrationality that bred internecine struggles, and an inability to prudently think in the long term. It would make the disastrous alliance with Egypt and make a futile rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, blinded by the hope that they could continue their comfortable lifestyle indefinitely rather than listen to the prophet and make a less amiable arrangement which would nonetheless continue the nation's survival. The result would be the destruction of Jersualem by Babylon and the subsequent decades of exile.
“How long O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you “Violence!” but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery?” “Why, then do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked man devours one more just than himself?”
The prophet is answered immediately however. On one hand God is raising up Babylon to chastise Judea. One the other hand Habbakuk is also reminded of the vanity of the gains made by wicked men. They may appear on the outside to be loading themselves up with rewards, but they are really devouring themselves through their greed.
“Wealth too is treacherous; the proud unstable man. He who opens wide his throat like the nether world and is insatiable as death... woe to him who stores up what is not his how long can it last!”
“Woe to him who pursues evil gain for his household...for the stone in the wall shall cry out, and the beam in the woodwork shall answer it!”
“Woe to him who builds a city by bloodshed, and establishes a town by wickedness”
“Woe to him who says to wood 'Awake' to dumb stone 'Arise,'” a characteristic condemnation of idolatry.
It is one of the most common and tragic misconceptions is that sins are victimless crimes, simply transgressions against mysterious and arbitrary antiquated commands. As Judah exhausted its energy and capabilities into luxury and idolatry, it succumbed to an irrationality that bred internecine struggles, and an inability to prudently think in the long term. It would make the disastrous alliance with Egypt and make a futile rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, blinded by the hope that they could continue their comfortable lifestyle indefinitely rather than listen to the prophet and make a less amiable arrangement which would nonetheless continue the nation's survival. The result would be the destruction of Jersualem by Babylon and the subsequent decades of exile.
October 20, 2025
This book starts out with the writer in despair and crying out to God. It is such a powerful book with such a valuable lesson: no matter how hard it is, there is power in prayer!
October 13, 2025
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus…
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Praise God.
“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?”
Can it be said of me?
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour 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. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Hallelujah <3
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus…
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Praise God.
“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?”
Can it be said of me?
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour 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. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Hallelujah <3
December 30, 2017
Firstly, what a great name this prophet has. Habakkuk makes me think of the horror film The Babadook. This book focuses on questioning God's actions. This actually seemed like remarkably positive reading compared to some of the recent books of the Bible I've read.
In January 2015 I set myself the challenge to read the complete Bible within a year. I discovered that was an unrealistic challenge, and decided to pick up my Bible as and when I felt ready to read more of it. Here is a link to all the reviews in my Bible challenge so far:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
In January 2015 I set myself the challenge to read the complete Bible within a year. I discovered that was an unrealistic challenge, and decided to pick up my Bible as and when I felt ready to read more of it. Here is a link to all the reviews in my Bible challenge so far:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
February 19, 2016
Another interesting book from the Old Testament ... about the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk reminds us that God is our strength, and we should rest in Him, even when calamity strikes.
December 1, 2023
Definitely life changing message - RTC
January 10, 2022
Habakkuk 2:12 Woe to him who builds a town with blood
and founds a city on iniquity!
Habakkuk 3:2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you, (one of my favorite verses)
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
and founds a city on iniquity!
Habakkuk 3:2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you, (one of my favorite verses)
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
September 17, 2020
Sidenote: The reason for such vague and short and "eh" words on each of these books, is because I wasn't challenging the study of the Bible when I read these. I was challenging myself to read the whole Bible in a year because I knew it would be discipline to keep at it daily. I do, however, plan to pick up a book and study what it is saying. Those will be longer reads and more notes.
So here is my review from my "Read the Bible in a Year" challenge. Usually just snippets of thoughts and random things I liked about the book itself. Nothing in-depth.
So here is my review of Habakkuk.
This is a book for those who doubt God. This prophet questions God and why he, for example, lets evil into the world. It's a great and educational read.
So here is my review from my "Read the Bible in a Year" challenge. Usually just snippets of thoughts and random things I liked about the book itself. Nothing in-depth.
So here is my review of Habakkuk.
This is a book for those who doubt God. This prophet questions God and why he, for example, lets evil into the world. It's a great and educational read.
October 24, 2025
Highly underrated!
August 30, 2025
8/21/21 with The Bible Recap
8/20/25 with The Bible Recap
8/20/25 with The Bible Recap
January 26, 2020
"Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates."
~Habakkuk 1:3 (CSB)
It might be tempting to lump the so-called "minor" prophets together and say they're pretty much all the same . . . or to skip them altogether in favor of the more accessible parts of the Bible.
But for a book that, like the others around it, dwells often on images of destruction and frequently employs the language of condemnation, the tone of Habakkuk is remarkably balanced and ends on such a hopeful note that it almost brings tears to the eyes.
"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the LORD;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
The LORD my Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!"
~3:17-19
I think the writer meant this as more than just blind optimism and/or willfully ignoring what's going on around you.
It's a refusal to believe that this is all there is. That darkness lasts forever. That hate and anger and conflict will go on perpetually in cycles that never end.
It's a statement of quiet faith that . . . one day the "turn" will come.
P.S. Since I just finished reading the final book in C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, it's hard not to take the phrase "walk on mountain heights" literally, since that's exactly what the characters do as they run "further up and further in" to the heart of Aslan's Country.
~Habakkuk 1:3 (CSB)
It might be tempting to lump the so-called "minor" prophets together and say they're pretty much all the same . . . or to skip them altogether in favor of the more accessible parts of the Bible.
But for a book that, like the others around it, dwells often on images of destruction and frequently employs the language of condemnation, the tone of Habakkuk is remarkably balanced and ends on such a hopeful note that it almost brings tears to the eyes.
"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the LORD;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
The LORD my Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!"
~3:17-19
I think the writer meant this as more than just blind optimism and/or willfully ignoring what's going on around you.
It's a refusal to believe that this is all there is. That darkness lasts forever. That hate and anger and conflict will go on perpetually in cycles that never end.
It's a statement of quiet faith that . . . one day the "turn" will come.
P.S. Since I just finished reading the final book in C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, it's hard not to take the phrase "walk on mountain heights" literally, since that's exactly what the characters do as they run "further up and further in" to the heart of Aslan's Country.
September 18, 2021
Habakkuk wrestles with the never ending question: Why does the Lord permit the righteous to suffer while the wicked prosper? He emphasizes that no matter the circumstances we must trust in God and that we must also practice faithfulness. His dialogue shows that hope is not based on visible circumstances but in God who will ultimately triumph over evil.
July 31, 2020
Begins with Habakkuk questioning gods authority. However he is defeated by the power of the almighty fig tree.
June 4, 2024
Not going to lie, the Prophets are the hardest books of the Bible for me to read/understand/enjoy, but Habakkuk was definitely one of the better ones 👏😅
October 5, 2025
This book of Habbakuk's witness to the overwhelming evil of the world surrounding God's people--who are also acting with great wickedness--is timely. My heart is pierced.
October 30, 2025
criminally underrated
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February 12, 2025An uncomfortable little book with an uncomfortable conclusion.
June 22, 2019
Here are my personal notes from this book.
•Feels that God is not listening
-God brings even more violent people.
•Does God really care?
-God does not despise such questions when they are brought to him from an honest heart.
1:3 “Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all of this misery?”
-Personally relates to me right now. I have been a victim of domestic abuse and am suffering great misery.
1:9 “On they come, all bent on violent. Their hordes advance like a desert wind, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand.”
-My abuser started off so sweet but quickly turned violent. How many people has he hurt?
1:11 “But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god!”
-My abuser is not accepting or recovering. He has replaced addiction with a new addiction: exercise.
1:15 “Must we be strung up on their hooks and caught in their nets while they rejoice and celebrate?l
-This is how I am currently feeling.
2:10 “But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.”
3:16 “I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.”
-I have to be patient and hope that the courts will give justice
•Feels that God is not listening
-God brings even more violent people.
•Does God really care?
-God does not despise such questions when they are brought to him from an honest heart.
1:3 “Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all of this misery?”
-Personally relates to me right now. I have been a victim of domestic abuse and am suffering great misery.
1:9 “On they come, all bent on violent. Their hordes advance like a desert wind, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand.”
-My abuser started off so sweet but quickly turned violent. How many people has he hurt?
1:11 “But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god!”
-My abuser is not accepting or recovering. He has replaced addiction with a new addiction: exercise.
1:15 “Must we be strung up on their hooks and caught in their nets while they rejoice and celebrate?l
-This is how I am currently feeling.
2:10 “But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.”
3:16 “I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.”
-I have to be patient and hope that the courts will give justice
Read
March 9, 2023Read Luther’s Intro, the ESV Study Intro, and Calvin’s Intro as well.
Habakkuk is a short book that gives us Habakkuk’s prayers and God’s responses to them. Habakkuk first asks God how long he will have to bear with such an evil people and God’s reply is that he is sending Babylon to discipline Israel. Habakkuk then asks why God would use a more evil people to punish Israel who Habakkuk believes is less evil. God’s response to Habakkuk is utterly majestic. In awe, Habakkuk ends his discourse with God in a stunningly beautiful prayer, stating he will trust God to discipline and judge all perfectly at his own appointed time.
This book urges us to trust, and be content that God will usher in perfect justice all in his time, and at that time we will see the wisdom of his timing. Until then we can & should stand against injustice, but all the while trusting that God will eventually bring about true perfect justice.
Habakkuk is a short book that gives us Habakkuk’s prayers and God’s responses to them. Habakkuk first asks God how long he will have to bear with such an evil people and God’s reply is that he is sending Babylon to discipline Israel. Habakkuk then asks why God would use a more evil people to punish Israel who Habakkuk believes is less evil. God’s response to Habakkuk is utterly majestic. In awe, Habakkuk ends his discourse with God in a stunningly beautiful prayer, stating he will trust God to discipline and judge all perfectly at his own appointed time.
This book urges us to trust, and be content that God will usher in perfect justice all in his time, and at that time we will see the wisdom of his timing. Until then we can & should stand against injustice, but all the while trusting that God will eventually bring about true perfect justice.
July 7, 2022
My favorite minor prophet!!! Gosh, I loved working through this text at women’s Bible study. Books of prophecy are hard, but much easier to interpret when the events have already taken place! My favorite part of this whole book is still right at the end:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
December 18, 2022
#35
Wow. This was something different - just the intensity and forcefulness of it blew me away.
‘Their horses are swifter than leopards,
fiercer than wolves at dusk.
Their cavalry gallops headlong;
their horsemen come from afar.
They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;
they all come intent on violence.
Their hordes[b] advance like a desert wind
and gather prisoners like sand.’
Wow. This was something different - just the intensity and forcefulness of it blew me away.
‘Their horses are swifter than leopards,
fiercer than wolves at dusk.
Their cavalry gallops headlong;
their horsemen come from afar.
They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;
they all come intent on violence.
Their hordes[b] advance like a desert wind
and gather prisoners like sand.’
December 20, 2021
WOW. Just read this in the bathtub. A painting of the struggles and bloodshed of a nation who is lacking the fear of God, and the promises of God and what He’ll do with the Babylonians, “the whole earth will know his glory.”
Powerful poetry!!!
Powerful poetry!!!
September 13, 2018
Habakkuk 2:14 "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea"
February 5, 2022
A great reminder that God never works in ways we expect, that we should wait for the Lord's answers to our questions, and that everything is under God's command.
May 30, 2022
It make no sense
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 16, 2023Love this doubt to faith book! Faith leads to spiritual life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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