JW subtitle extractor

An introduction to the book of Habakkuk.
Habakkuk served as a prophet in Judah.
From the book’s closing notation
“To the director;
with my stringed instruments,”
it has been inferred that Habakkuk
may have been a temple musician.
He wrote the book bearing his name
about 628 B.C.E.,
some 20 years
before the destruction of Jerusalem.
He was a contemporary of Jeremiah,
who also served in Judah.
The book of Habakkuk has three chapters.
Chapters 1 and 2 present a dialogue
between Habakkuk and Jehovah.
The prophet expresses dismay
over the violence, oppression, and injustice
that are prevalent in Judah.
Jehovah declares
that soon the Chaldeans
will be used to punish the nation of Judah.
Jehovah assures Habakkuk
that this divine judgment on Judah
will not be late
and that the Chaldeans
will also be punished later
for their own acts of cruelty and wickedness.
Did you know?
In Habakkuk’s day,
Jehovah’s temple was in Jerusalem,
and the Davidic dynasty
had ruled uninterrupted from there
for over four centuries.
Therefore, to the Jews back then,
God’s allowing the Chaldeans
to destroy the holy city was unthinkable.
Chapter 3 is a prayer of Habakkuk
that is expressed in songs of mourning.
Habakkuk recalls
past manifestations of Jehovah’s power.
Although distressed
by the conditions around him,
the prophet expresses confidence in Jehovah.
Habakkuk declares:
“As for me, I will exult in Jehovah;
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”
As you read Habakkuk,
note how Jehovah is not indifferent
to the suffering of his servants,
how our confidence in Jehovah’s salvation
helps us endure with joy,
and how Jehovah’s judgments
by means of his Kingdom will not be late.

Introduction to Habakkuk