Distress over God's Ways

Four Features of Habakkuk’s Complaint
In vv. 2-4, Habakkuk expressed his concern about the ongoing wicked in Judah. In vv. 5-11, God answers by sending the Babylonians or the Chaldeans. God will deal with the Judaeans by sending the Chaldeans. Now in verses 13-17 Habakkuk presents three problems that vex him. They don’t make sense in view of who God is. If God is using the Babylonians then these problems seem to undermine God’s character.

1. God seems to tolerate evil (v. 13).
2. God seems to make his people extremely vulnerable (vv. 14-15).
3. God seems to reward the idolatrous wicked (vv. 16-17).
4. God’s providence seems to contradict His revelation.

Two Guiding Principles
In Habakkuk’s very response or complaint, we have two important things to guide us. That is why he did not fall away, that is why this complaint remains within the bounds of acceptability. Some liberal scholars argue that Habakkuk was reproving God and that these prophets are merely reacting in their own way — trying to make sense of it. They are not viewed as servants of God inspired by the Holy Spirit to deliver the Lord’s burden.
Habakkuk is complaining to God in His presence and his concerns are inspired because these questions naturally emerge from these circumstances. God uses Habakkuk to raise those questions and delivers His answer to guide His people.

I. We must rest on God’s revealed truth (v. 12).
II. We must always learn to wait upon the Lord (2:1).