Habakkuk Argues with God: Why Do You Tolerate Wrong?

Habakkuk is the only biblical prophet who argues directly with God and records God's replies. He opens: 'How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Violence! I cry out to you, but you do not save.' God answers: he is raising up the Babylonians to punish Judah. Habakkuk is horrified — the Babylonians are more wicked than Judah. How can God use evil to punish evil? He stations himself on a watchtower and waits for God's answer. God says: the vision awaits an appointed time. 'The righteous person will live by their faithfulness.' Then Habakkuk writes a psalm of terror and trust: 'Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.'