Habakkuk
By Grace Ko, Julia M. O’Brien (Editor)
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Dr. Grace Ko
This essay first examines critical studies on the book of Habakkuk by surveying redactional and textual discussions, as well as historical-critical issues. Since historical-critical method fails to shed light on the heart of the book, this essay opts for synchronic methodology. Considering the final form of the text, the essay examines literary devices such as genre, structure, content, and plot to uncover the themes of the book—theodicy, the righteous shall live by faithfulness, retribution, and divine sovereignty. Lastly, the essay investigates the positioning of Habakkuk in the Twelve, especially how it fits into House’s U-shaped comic framework as the overall plot of the Book of the Twelve. The essay then concludes that the message of Habakkuk is just as relevant today as it was in the prophet’s time.
This is a peer reviewed Chapter
Chapter in Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2021
ISBN/ISSN: 9780190673208