David Guzik commentary on Habakkuk 1 describes the burden which the prophet brings before God, asking why God seems to delay judgment.

Habakkuk's heart is very heavy over the injustice among the people of God (Habakkuk 1:2-4). In His answer, which is directed to the people, God announces the Chaldeans' attack as judgment (chap. 1:5-11).

1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4 Therefore the law is...

Why is Habakkuk so important? Habakkuk provides us one of the most remarkable sections in all of Scripture, as it contains an extended dialogue between Habakkuk and God (Habakkuk 1–2). The prophet initiated this conversation based on his distress about God’s “inaction” in the world.

Bailey’s more extensive contribution (commentaries on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, 137-500) is equally impressive, informative, and readable. Barker and Bailey direct the reader to a wealth of resources by means of extensive footnotes.

(Habakkuk 1:12-17) Habakkuk wonders why God would use a nation more wicked than Judah to bring judgment on Judah. Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One?

The book of Habakkuk tells us about Habakkuk’s personal struggle to believe that God is good when there is so much tragedy and evil in the world. Many of Habakkuk’s words are actually poems of lament, similar to the lamentations in the book of Psalms.

Explore the book of Habakkuk and its theme of justice with David Firth in this free volume of The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary.

First: Habakkuk 1:2-17; Habakkuk 2:1-4 (or 8), a piece in dramatic form; the prophet lifts his voice to God against the wrong and violence of which his whole horizon is full, and God sends him answer. Second: Habakkuk 2:5 (or 9-20), a taunt-song in a series of Woes upon the wrong-doer.

Habakkuk's First Complaint (Habakkuk 1:2-4) - Habakkuk begins by questioning God about the prevalence of injustice and violence in Judah. He is troubled by the apparent lack of divine intervention and asks, "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but You do not listen?"