The Prophet Habakkuk as Intercessor

In biblical tradition, one serves God by interceding with God on behalf of one’s fellows in danger of being undone by acts of other human beings, or by acts of the very God to whom one prays.

In Isa 53:11-12, God’s servant is said to make intercession for sinners. Abraham intercedes for Sodom – and fails to dissuade (Gen 18:17-32). Moses stands between God and Israel more than once – and prevails (Ex 32:11-14; 34:8-9; Ps 106:23). Even after they fail to heed him, Samuel continues to pray on behalf of the people (1 Sam 12:23). Amos, Jeremiah and Ezekiel intercede for the people and “stand in the breach” (Amos 7:1-6; Jer 12:1-4; 18:20: Ezek 22:30-31). The petitioner of Isa 63:15-64:12, the “I” of 61:1-7; 62:1-3; and 63:7, intercedes at length, calling on God to rend the heavens and put an end to a situation in which all manner of evil is rampant.

Compatible with the above, the book of Job implies that defense of God before man – theodicy - does not do justice to the sufferer. Job’s friends take this tack, with the result that God’s anger burns against them, “because you, unlike my servant Job, have not spoken as you ought about me” (Job 42:7). Defense of man before God – anthropodicy - is God’s charge when uncalled-for suffering characterizes life, or injustice and oppression characterize societal relations. Job’s defense of himself in this sense was acceptable in God’s eyes.

Coming to the defense of the sufferer is a God-given duty when life and limb are threatened. Even if that means calling God’s actions, or inaction, into question. The non-justification of God is acceptable in the Bible. Psalms 13, 22, and 88 may serve as examples. It is not surprising that the prophetic dialogue of the book of Habakkuk begins with a frontal attack on God’s inaction in a time of social breakdown:

How long, יהוה, have I cried out,
     and you not listen!
I shout to you of violence.
     You do not save!

 Why do you show me foul play,
    why do you countenance hurt?
Havoc and violence confront me.
    Fighting follows; contention rises.

The law now is feeble,
    justice does not issue at all!
For a criminal encircles the innocent,
    and justice issues twisted.

The text seems to speak of a wicked individual who surrounds the righteous (collective singular). If so, who is the unnamed villain who encircles “the innocent”?

It is not impossible that the highest authority in the land is alluded to, the king himself. The book of Habakkuk is most often dated to the interval of time between the rise of the Babylonian kingdom to superpower status under Nabopolassar (626-605 bce) and the Babylonian invasion of Judah under Sennacherib (604-562) in 597. Another prophet, Jeremiah, rails against the reigning king of the time, Jehoiakim (609-598), in one of his oracles (Jer 22:13-23). Accusations of violence, foul play, and lack of justice abound in that passage. If a specific malefactor is alluded to in Hab 1:4, Jehoiakim is the prime candidate.

This post is part of a series:

• The Book of Habakkuk: An Introduction
• The Prophet as Intercessor
• Faith-based Religion
• Assurance of Things Hoped For
• Habakkuk 2:4
• Anticipated Closure
• Good and Bad Imperialism
• The Anticipatory Reach of Prophecy

Comments

[Chariots of Fire 2]

I think that Habakkuk 1 could be about either God or the king at the time. I think it depends on who is interpreting it. I personally think it is alluded to God. I also don't look at it as a complaint. I understood Habakkuk 1 as being a plea for help. When people are in desperate and hard times they look to God for help and seek guidance.

[Breaker Morant 2]

I agree with Chariots of Fire 2 that this was probably not uncommon during the time it is estimated to have been written. We see quite often in the Bible people questioning the power of God. If he is so mighty and has such power why does he not save everyone from dangers or stop the wars of people. This relates today as well. Many people pray to God for safety and for him to help them in times of need. God always helps, but sometimes it is not in the way that we wanted or expected him to help us. This can lead people to be angry and shout against him happens in Habakkuk. I am always amazed when I read the bible and see how often people were angry with God for not helping them directly but rather indirectly.

[Breaker Morant 5]

I agree with what Breaker Morant 2 said about people questioning the power of God. I think it is human nature to question a higher authority when things aren’t going your way. It’s easy for people to say, “God should make everything perfect for everyone all of the time. Why should good people suffer?” Going through struggles and learning from them is what makes us appreciate the good in life. It is good to see that not everybody was happy with God in the Bible, just like some people today. God won’t hand us everything on a silver platter but it is important to keep in mind that in the big picture, he is looking out for us.

[Dead Man Walking 5]

I agree with Breaker Morant 5, I also think that its right that we question God. I believe that by questioning our faith, we grow in it. Personally, I think that everyone wants to know why God doesn't just snap his fingers when we are in pain or suffering and stop it. I think we all need to understand that he wants us to figure things out for ourselves, but he will offer his guidance, it is our choice whether or not to take it.

[chariots of fire 3]

The article had some pretty good points that I am in complete agreement with the article. On the other hand there was one certain part I didn’t agree with. “Coming to the defense of the sufferer is a God-given duty when life and limb are threatened. Even if that means calling God’s actions, or inaction, into question.” I feel that this statement is a contradiction with just about every part of the bible. I can understand a person helping or going to the aid of somebody that is suffering, but I don’t understand why you would have to call God’s actions in question. I don’t know why it would be necessary to question God for helping someone that is in need of help.

[Nell 3]

To me this sounds like a prayer to God. One in which God is not delivering what he is praying for. This is a post that I found interesting because we commonly read in the Bible about great miracles that God has performed and people he has saved through faith, but I don’t know if I have ever heard of a story where God fails to come through. I think this shows the humanity of God who can’t always answer our prayers for whatever reason the situation may have. It is frustrating when God does not answer our prayers and sometimes people get upset with that as is seen in this post. However, God is always there to guide us through those tough times, we just have to reach out to him and he will help.

[The Truman Show 4]

After reading one of the comments saying that questioning our faith is a good thing, I actually disagreed. Although, I believe it does happen I don't think it should. I think being questioned about our faith helps us grow, not us questioning our faith. Once we are going through obstacles and life is throwing things at us from all directions, I think that makes us defend our faith. I have to agree with Chariots of Fire 3, I don't think you have to question God's power either. We have choices about how we go about our lives and all the struggles involved.

[Shawshank Redemption 1]

I love that I can go boldly before God and intercede for myself and others. This is interesting even more when we think we know that God is not a respecter of man. To know that my Father in heaven would even hearken onto my pleas and cries, just adds to my love and devotion to Him. God loves His creation, and His willingness to listen to our thoughts and cries, is amazing all by itself. To take the time to think that the actual Creator of everything we know, and so much more, is willing to take time and even consider what we have to say is mind blowing by itself.

[Breaker Morant 1]

Truman Show 4 makes a really good point that I agree with. It is better to be question about our own faith and learn from the hardships in life cause then we can stand by our faith and stand up for what we believe in. I don't think it is good thing to question our faith cause then it may lead to doubt.

[Shawshank 2]

The attack on God by Habakkuk is one of the gutsiest things I’ve ever read. These are some harsh words but I see it more as a statement out of distress. Times were tough and Habakkuk wanted to play the blame game and of course the easiest person to blame is God. This happens all the time in society now days, when life feels as though nothing can go right we want to blame someone. We as humans want to find someone to blame when the world seems upside down. However, when we begin to think clearly once again, we apologize to God and ask forgiveness. That’s what I see in this situation with Habakkuk; he spoke out of distress to God and was not thinking clearly.

[The Mission 7]

I see now what a prophet truly is, they are those few individuals who ask for the forgiveness of others in front of the Lord instead of asking for selfish things. It can be extremely easy for some to blame God for their misfortunes but its the job of prophets to defend our Father. It was scary to read that Habakkuk was mad that God didn't intervene when His people were going through such hard times. The reading says, "Coming to the defense of the sufferer is a God-given duty when life and limb are threatened. Even if that means calling God’s actions, or inaction, into question." This means that even the most faithful of us have the right to question God because it's for hard times like Habakkuk and his people went through, that we can grow and strengthen our faith in.

[Shawshank 4]

Being able to intercede on another person’s behalf is an amazing feat that today I believe is misunderstood. I think about people like Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and mother Theresa, when I think about true intercessors. To me, interceding really means standing in the gap for those that cannot stand up for themselves. The reason they cannot stand up, can be caused by demographics, race and many other issues, but the beautiful thing about humankind is that in these times you see a person standing and speaking for those who lost their voice.

[Dead Man Walking 5]

After reading this post, I can finally see what a prophet truly is; those few individuals who ask for forgiveness in front of God rather than selfish things. It can be easy to ask for something selfish from the Lord, but the difference of a prophet is that they ask for things for others. It was scary to read about how Habakkuk was mad that God didn’t jump in when his people were going through hard times.

[Chariots Of Fire 2]

This post is very different from the other ones I have read. Along with everyone else, it is easier to see what a prophet truly is and what they really seek out of life. I also agree with the Mission 7. It is pretty easy to just blame anyone for all the misfortune that one might have. It is easier to take the blame off ourselves and pin it on God. It is not right to do that but sometimes that is all someone can do.