Habakkuk deals with the tension between God's justice, power and perfection, and the existence of evil. Looking at the structure of Habbakuk reveals the prophet's message. Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, verses 1-5 are written as alternating complaints and oracles , or speeches, from God. Let's look at the use of complaint and oracle through a modern-day parallel. Today, children, women and men are victims of war, grinding poverty, enslavement and sexual exploitation.
Nations amass armies and weapons capable of mass destruction.
Even with disarmament agreements, the billions of dollars needed to dispose of nuclear and chemical weapons create burdens on the poor. Land mines continue to maim and kill, and the United States refuses to sign a ban that would reduce such meaningless injury and death. This classic prophetic style is used often by Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Unfortunately, this modern-day list of woes can go on and on. Tough reading The final chapter of Habakkuk is a psalm complete with instructions for stringed instruments.