HABAKKUK, BOOK OF

Sometime before the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (586 B.C.), the prophet Habakkuk wonders why God appears to have ignored Judah's sins. The Lord informs the bewildered prophet that he is planning punishment for the nation -- the Chaldeans (Babylonians) are coming. Habakkuk complains that the Chaldeans are a brutal and evil people -- worse even than Judah. Never mind. Babylon will be judged too -- eventually. The prophet appears to understand, and he praises Jehovah for his marvelous operations in history. God's people must learn to trust him and wait for the consummation of his plan.