Prophet Habakkuk memorial day in 2022 according to the Orthodox calendar

It would be a mistake to consider that the books of the so-called “minor prophets” are somehow insignificant... It is not uncommon that what may seem insignificant and unnoticeable (details, elements, phrases) can do a lot (1 Corinthians 12:22 ,25.). And the book of the prophet Habakkuk is one such example.

So: What do the prophecies of Habakkuk say?.. We hope that after carefully reading them, you will agree that they are indeed important for us; especially for those who will live during the last days of the wicked world... You may ask, why is it necessary to know this? Isn't just being a good Christian enough? - Yes, it is important. However, a correct understanding of the prophecies about the last days will help us become more adequate Christians. Understanding events during the tribulation (Jeremiah 30:6,7,23,24. Dan.7:24-26.) will help us have greater comfort and hope (Rom.15:4.). Also, by reading, understanding and seeing the true picture of God's Word, we realize how beautiful and perfect this spiritual world is. Welcome to this world friends!..

Life of the Prophet Habakkuk

The prophet Habakkuk comes from the tribe of Simeon, lived in 650 BC. Refers to the 12 minor prophets. Little is known about his life, most of the information concerns his prophecies. According to some information, he was the son of the Levite Jesus.

Habakkuk predicted the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, the Babylonian captivity of the believers, as well as their return to their homeland. At the time of the war with Babylon, he retired to Arabia. During this period, a miracle happened, about which much was said later.

One day the prophet went to the reapers and brought food. On the way he met the Angel of the Lord. Almost instantly he was transferred to Babylon, where at that time the prophet Daniel was in prison. The food that was intended for the reapers served to satisfy Daniel's hunger. Daniel himself spoke a lot about this after he was freed from captivity.

Throughout his life, Habakkuk wrote a book that largely described the life of the prophet at this time. It contained predictions about the invasion of the Chaldeans, as well as a description of the spiritual state of Indian society, which, under the reigning lawlessness, continued temple worship. This information made it possible to some extent to estimate the life of the prophet.

His work is presented in three chapters. Much of the book's content is devoted to his prophecies. The first deals with a central theological issue, the second describes 5 curses on the Chaldeans who were responsible for lawlessness and too much cruelty. This period is characterized by persecution of Christians and a large number of prisoners.

The third part is represented by prayer. It describes the coming of the Judge of the world and interprets many Christian traditions.

At the end of the war, the prophet returned home and died at a ripe old age. The miracle that happened to him had an impact on his entire future life. He adhered to strict rules and tried to live as simply as possible.

Based on the book itself, Judea is considered the place of preaching. Some historians suggest that he was in holy Jerusalem. The time of his life is indicated by the legend of the Chaldeans and the description of Jewish society. Therefore, the time of service in some sources is dated differently: the king of Hezekiah, Manasseh or Joachim.

"The righteous shall live by faith"

In answer to his second question - why was the evil people chosen for vengeance? - The Lord orders to write down: ... so that the reader can easily read, for the vision still belongs to a certain time ... and even if it slows down, wait for it, for it will certainly come true, it will not be canceled. ...an arrogant soul will not rest, but the righteous will live by faith (Hab 2 :2-4). These words of the prophet Habakkuk are quoted three times by the Apostle Paul, considering them the basis of the New Testament Church. Everyone will answer for their deeds: Since you have robbed many nations, all other nations will rob you (Hab . 2 :8).

An angel kidnaps the prophet Habakkuk

The Book of the Prophet Habakkuk ends with a prayer-psalm, which depicts a formidable Epiphany, a cleansing storm that sweeps away evil from the face of the earth. By hope for this storm, faith in heavenly truth, which - sooner or later - will have the last word, the righteous person is saved from despair. And if the Old Testament man previously considered earthly prosperity to be a sign of God’s mercy, then for the prophet Habakkuk life is not in these “signs,” but in God himself, in whom he trusts completely. Faith and love absorb everything, transforming the human spirit. Even if, says the prophet, the vines do not bear fruit, even if the olive trees wither and the flocks disappear, but even then I will rejoice in the Lord and rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk's faith became the starting point for the teaching of the Apostle Paul about saving faith in Christ. The light that Habakkuk foretells is the light of the Resurrection of Christ, “enlightening everyone.” It is faith in the Savior of mankind, the Messiah, still only expected in the time of Habakkuk, that is how the righteous will live, how he will be saved from evil and death. According to Christian theologians, this is the most important thing in the prophecy of Habakkuk.

Habakkuk chapter 3 interpretation

Habakkuk 3:1,2

Prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, for singing.

2 Lord! I heard Your rumor and was afraid. God! complete Your work among the years, among the years reveal it; In anger, remember mercy.

Prophetic prayer for the Great Day of God Yahweh and the coming of the Lord Christ.
See: Jeremiah 30:6,7,23,24. Micah 7:15,16,18,19. Dan. 12:1.

Habakkuk 3:3

God is coming from Teman, and the Holy One is coming from Mount Paran. His majesty covered the heavens, and the earth was filled with His glory.

The story of the descent and salvation of Israel from Egyptian captivity, deliverance from Pharaoh and the procession among other nations; was a way of deliverance in the last days from the wicked world of Satan.
See: Deut.33:1,2. Judges.5:4.

Habakkuk 3:3(b,c),4

His majesty covered the heavens, and the earth was filled with His glory. 4 Its shine is like sunlight; from His hand are rays, and here is the hiding place of His power!

“From the hand of His hand are the rays” - the Sun and the Moon - two witnesses in the sky (Gen. 1:14,16.) ...
“The hiding place of His power” - here we mean the King, the Son of the Most High Christ,
"Born" from the Kingdom of God, i.e. Heavenly Jerusalem.
In the vision of the Apostle John it was shown: “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun; under her feet is the moon, and on her head is a crown of twelve stars. And she gave birth to a male child, who must rule all nations with a rod of iron...” (Rev.12:1,5. Dan.7:13,14.).
See: Gen.1:14,16-18. Mark 4:23-25. Gen.37:3,5,9,10. Rev.12:1,5. Psalm 2:6,7,12.

Habakkuk 3:12.5

You walk through the earth in anger and trample down the nations in indignation. 5. Plagues go before His face, and a burning wind follows His steps.

About the vengeance of the Almighty for his people [the prophets] with executions (see Revelation. 16th chapter).

For example: submission to Nebuchadnezzar [the “golden head”, the king-of-kings - Dan. 2:37,38.] - is an image of submission to Christ at His second coming. Anyone who refused to submit was punished with four plagues: “If any nation and kingdom does not want to serve him, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and does not bend his neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish this people with sword, famine and pestilence, says the Lord until I destroy them by his hand” (Jer. 15:3; 27:8. Compare: Psalm 2:6-12.).
See: Deut.5:1. Deut.28:15,21,22. Amos.5:15. Amos.4:10. Deut.30:2,3,6,7.

Habakkuk 3:6-16

He stood and shook the earth; He looked up and made the nations tremble; the age-old mountains fell apart, the primeval hills fell; His ways are eternal. 7 I saw the tents of Ethiopia sad; the tents of the land of Midian shook. 8 Has your anger burned against the rivers, O Lord? Is it Thy indignation on the rivers, or Thy wrath on the sea, that Thou hast mounted Thy horses, Thy chariots of salvation? 9 You have drawn your bow according to the oath promise made to the tribes. You cut the earth with streams. 10 When the mountains saw You, they trembled and the waters rushed in; the abyss gave its voice, raised its hands high; 11 The sun and the moon stood still in their place before the light of Your flying arrows, before the radiance of Your sparkling spears. 12 You walk through the earth in anger and trample down the nations in indignation. 13 You come forth for the salvation of Your people, for the salvation of Your anointed. You crush the head of the wicked house, stripping it bare from the foundation to the top. 14 You pierced the head of his leaders with his spears, when they rushed like a whirlwind to defeat me, in joy, as if thinking to devour the poor man secretly. 15 You and your horses made a way across the sea, through the depths of great waters. 16 I heard, and my bowels trembled; at the news of this my lips trembled, pain penetrated into my bones, and the place beneath me trembled; but I must be calm in the day of disaster, when the plunderer comes against my people.

The events that happened to Israel during the exodus from Egypt and wandering along the path to the Promised Land serve as an example and prototype for us: “ everything that was written before was written for our instruction, so that through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures we might maintain hope” ( Rom.15:4). By understanding the essence and significance of those events, we can have true understanding and justified faith during the time of the end of the wicked world.
See: Psalm 134:9-12. Acts 13:19. Psalm 134:13,14. — Daniel 10:14. Isaiah.41:8-12,14. (Galatians 3:28,29.) Rev. 13:1,2. Rev. 17:9,10,15. Rev. 19:19. Psalm 75:10,11. Micah.7:15,20.

Habakkuk 3:6,7

About the great disaster coming to the nations of the world. About the vengeance of the Heavenly God on his enemies.
See: Isaiah 2:12,14,15,17-21. Rev. 6:15-17.

Habakkuk 3:8,10,12,14,15

Has Your anger kindled against the rivers, O Lord? Is it Thy indignation on the rivers, or Thy wrath on the sea, that Thou hast mounted Thy horses, Thy chariots of salvation? 10 When the mountains saw You, they trembled and the waters rushed in; the abyss gave its voice, raised its hands high; 12 You walk through the earth in anger and trample down the nations in indignation. 14 You pierced the head of his leaders with his spears, when they rushed like a whirlwind to defeat me, in joy, as if thinking to devour the poor man secretly. 15 You and your horses made a way across the sea, through the depths of great waters.

The troubled sea is an image of the nations of the world rebelling against the people of God. The taming of sea waters and wind-spirits is a prophetic action pointing to salvation from the Most High through the Intercessor King Christ Jesus. (See prophetic action: Luke 8:23-25.).
See: Matthew 8:24-27. (Galatians 3:29. Psalm 123:1-6.). Isaiah 17:12-14. Luke 18:8.

Habakkuk 3:8,13-16

Has Your anger kindled against the rivers, O Lord? Is it Thy indignation on the rivers, or Thy wrath on the sea, that Thou hast mounted Thy horses, Thy chariots of salvation? 13 You come forth for the salvation of Your people, for the salvation of Your anointed. You crush the head of the wicked house, stripping it bare from the foundation to the top. 14 You pierced the head of his leaders with his spears, when they rushed like a whirlwind to defeat me, in joy, as if thinking to devour the poor man secretly. 15 You and your horses made a way across the sea, through the depths of great waters. 16 I heard, and my bowels trembled; at the news of this my lips trembled, pain penetrated into my bones, and the place beneath me trembled; but I must be calm in the day of disaster, when the plunderer comes against my people.

The destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea was a prophetic act of God. This indicated the destruction of those who would be at enmity with the followers of Christ [with those who would be led by the great Moses-Christ].
See: Gen.3:14,15. Exodus 14:5-7,15,22-28. (Colossians 2:17. Psalm 27:1,2. Psalm 88:20-26,39,45,46,50-52.). Isaiah 26:20,21. Isaiah 27:1-5. Isaiah 10:24-26. Daniel 12:1. Micah.5:5,6,9. Rev. 17:14. Zechariah 14:12,13.

Habakkuk 3:16

I heard, and my insides trembled; at the news of this my lips trembled, pain penetrated into my bones, and the place beneath me trembled; but I must be calm in the day of disaster, when the plunderer comes against my people.

The time of the sign of the end of the wicked world will be the most difficult time for the followers of Christ (in the entire history of Christianity). About the manifestation of faith in the Almighty.
See: Jeremiah 30:6-9,11,15,16,22-24. Daniel 11:35. Luke 21:12,13,16,17,19,25-28.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Even though the fig tree did not blossom, and there was no fruit on the vines, and the olive tree failed, and the field yielded no food, even though there were no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 even then I will rejoice in the Lord and be glad in God. my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength: He will make my feet like a deer’s, and He will lead me to my heights!

The care of the Most High Yahweh for Elijah and Jeremiah during the famine and disaster in Israel is a prophetic image of consolation that the Heavenly Father will take care of the true followers of Christ during the sign of the end of the wicked world.
See: 1 Kings 17:1-4,6-9. Jeremiah 37:21. Jeremiah 40:2-5. Rom.15:4. Hebrews 13:5,6. Isaiah 41:14. Isaiah 49:15. Daniel 8:23,24. Matthew 24:10,11. Luke 21:16-19. Matthew 10:28-31. Matthew 6:26,33. Micah.7:15-20.