The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds. (Hab 1:1-4 NKJ)

Habakkuk asks the Lord, “why do you show me iniquity and cause me to see trouble?” The prophet sees so much violence; I believe God gives him discernment to see it exactly how God sees it.  So much so that it becomes a burden, and he cries out.  The cry is not a whimper, but a shout, screaming out to God. It appears that God is not hearing, I believe God is responding by asking Habakkuk, ‘what are you going to do about it?

God’s response was to show Habakkuk that the level of evil in society had opened the door for the Chaldeans to come marching. Habakkuk was surprised and continues to put the blame back on God, but perhaps Habakkuk needed to realize that God’s people are responsible for the society in which they live and that the prophet unction requires more than just prayer, it requires action, involvement, and investment.