The opening verses of the Book of Habakkuk are quite telling. The words used are significant. God gives Habakkuk a significant oracle which is a great burden to him. God shows Habakkuk a vision that he sees, perceives (a good way to define it), and receives. The sense we get is that this is an experiential vision/oracle where the prophet sees events from God’s perspective.
These are deep thoughts as Habakkuk opens.
Habakkuk does something unexpected in that he complains and protests that he must experience the oracle and God’s Word from this depth. God does not allow him to ignore the oracle. It is a good thought to think that perhaps Habakkuk would not pay attention (as much) were it not God Almighty giving all of this to Him.
This oracle is a burden in all senses of the word. None of what God shows Habakkuk depends on Him, but only on God. God does all of this… none of it is on Habakkuk’s shoulders. This is a small comfort even though what Habakkuk experiences is heavy.
Verse 2 shows us that Habakkuk is perceiving reality in all its evilness. There is no rationalization for what is being presented and the prophet is seeing it raw and unfiltered:
Injustice
Wrong
Strife
Paralyzed
Wickedness
Perverted
This is what Habakkuk is seeing.
Habakkuk in his boldness (or stupidity) questions why God is doing nothing about all that he is shown. He knows God knows for it is God Who shows it! There is some blame evident in the prophet’s tone. Justice is not justice. Injustice and unfairness are twisted in the culture and among the people. Habakkuk sees it and he knows God sees it… for there is some frustration.
God answers. God answers that He will bring/allow/cause even worse wickedness to deal with the wickedness before them. This is not the answer many expect. It is most likely not the answer that Habakkuk expected. Judgment is coming.
SPECIAL NOTE: Verse 12 (as well as some other verses) focuses on the eternal nature of God. Verse 12 points out that God will not suffer death. He will not suffer death because He is God and not just because He is an immortal spirit. None are like God. He is the only Being like Himself for only He is eternal. All other creatures and beings and created things come from Him. Only He is eternal in His nature. Death has no power or hold over Him. This is an essential part of God’s nature. We should note that God’s eternal nature is tied to Him and not to Him being a spirit-type being. God is the Only Immortal One.
Only God is immortal and chooses to share that life with those who believe in Him.
TMB & BMD
Dwelling In Scripture 