TEXT [Commentary]

black diamond   Superscription (1:1)

1 This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision.

NOTES

1:1 message. See the note on Nah 1:1.

vision. Lit., “the message which Habakkuk the prophet saw.” The prophet stressed his own participation in the revelatory process. Yet he would have his readers understand that his words contain the actual communication of God to his hearers. The particular verb employed (khazah [TH2372, ZH2600], “saw”) is appropriate, not only denoting what the prophet received and was passing on but also allowing for personal seeing of certain details, such as the theophany of 3:3-15.

COMMENTARY [Text]

Habakkuk began his prophecy with a firm declaration that God is a God of revelation and that he, God’s messenger, had received God’s word. What he would transmit was the record of God’s dealing with him and God’s communication to others. Today’s preacher would do well to be certain that his message, likewise, is that which God has laid upon his heart.