Chapter 1
Not much known about Habakkuk except that he was contemporary with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zephaniah. So late 7th century BC probably - end of Assyria, rise of Babylon. Book is only 3 chapters, with a simple outline.
Habakkuk asks God why (he complains) in Chapter 1, gets an answer, complains a second time. God answers the second in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 is all Habakkuk's prayer, outlined as Petition, Praise, and Promise. So...Chapter 1:
Vss 2-4 read much better in NKJV. Why God, do you let violence, iniquity, and contention go on? These three verses are worth memorizing:
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. [Hab 1:2-4 KJV] I like the old KJV version of it best.
This is the same question that Jeremiah was asking in Jer 12, on which I did the FB post today.
God says the Chaldean's are being raised up to conquer the earth, and in Habakkuk's day. Here is the answer God gives in vs 5:
5 "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. [Hab 1:5 ESV]
God says that He is about to do the unbelievable. He is going to amaze even this prophet who knows Him so well. We should be looking for the unexpected too. Instead of anticipating what God will do, we should be looking for Him in the things that are happening.
In vs 11, God calls the Chaldeans "...guilty men, who's own might is their god." God makes it clear that He is not kindly disposed to the Chaldeans, but is using them to carry out His will. In fact, He is using them in answer to Habakkuk's prayer!
Habakkuk replies that the Chaldean's are even worse than the ones he complained about before! Kind of a "Seriously? You're sending them to correct us?" And "Is that nation going to rule forever?