Habakkuk 1-3

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, … yet I will exult in the Lord” (3:17-18).  Habakkuk had a vision that God was going to judge Israel through the invading Babylonians (Chaldeans, 1:6), because of their sin: “cities built by bloodshed” (2:12), innocent people mocked and hurt (2:15), and the worship of idols (2:19).  Habakkuk knew it was coming, and his job was to warn people and urge them to repent.

Habakkuk promised to trust God (3:18) through Israel’s time of suffering and lost fruitfulness.  He believed that in the end, God would “remember mercy” (3:2).