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Habakkuk prophesied in Judah when Babylon was beginning to
conquer surrounding nations.
Habakkuk was perplexed - why do good people seem to suffer,
while the wicked people and nations (like Babylon) seem to
prosper? (1:3)
god's answer was to show Habakkuk that beyond all the present
troubles lay a glorious future for the earth. God had a plan
and no kingdom, not even Babylon, could prevent Him bringing
it to pass.
Babylon's glory was only temporary - their cruel and wicked
ways would not go unpunished. Their idols would be found to
be false and useless.
God's faithful people can trust in Him for there will come
a day when "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea"
(2:14).
Chapter 3 contains a prayer of faith. The prophet sees how
God triumphed at the time of Israel's exodus from Egypt and
that God will again be victorious over all enemies in the
future. All nations will have to submit to Him.
So, despite present suffering, people of faith can have a
song of joy in their hearts.
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