< Habakkuk 1 >

Habakkuk asks God why is this violence and sin happening and he does not save them. He is asking in faith as faithful servants of God and Jesus do, and so receives a response in a time when God gives responses (James 1:5,James 1:5XWaiting for response Luke 1:34-35)Luke 1:34-35XWaiting for response - unlike our own time where there is no vision or prophecy. Zechariah is a good example of how to not ask God questions, presumably where he did not ask in faith (Luke 1:18-20).Luke 1:18-20XWaiting for response

Habakkuk makes the point that "the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth." In other words, the law is not being kept, or judgment is lacking, because of the wicked. This is similar to Galatians 5:9.Galatians 5:9XWaiting for response

God's first response, answering Habakkuk's question saying that the wicked people in Israel will not continue because of the terrible destruction that is coming through the Chaldeans.

Chaldeans - could be Babylonians or Assyrians. Based on the ruthlessness described later it seems it is the Assyrians who were very ruthless.

The prophecy about the Chaldeans ends suddenly with their leader "changing his mind... imputing this his power unto his god". This is presumably referring to an idol, where before he may have acknowledged the true God, imputing his success to him, as others leaders are recorded doing such as Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:47),Daniel 2:47XWaiting for response Cyrus (2 Chronicles 36:22-23),2 Chronicles 36:22-23XWaiting for response & Abimelech (Genesis 26:28-29).Genesis 26:28-29XWaiting for response

Habakkuk responds to God asking, why will you just watch as the Chaldeans who are more wicked than Israel, will destroy Israel.