Habakkuk 3:17

"For though the fig tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls."

This is a vivid description of the results of the "scorched earth" policy of the Babylonian invaders. The end result of such destruction would be starvation and death to multiplied tens of thousands of the population. Everything of value that could be transported would be carried away by the ruthless invaders, and what remained would be wantonly destroyed for the precise purpose of making the lands uninhabitable. That such a prospect was a source of great agony in the heart of Habukkuk is certain. Leaving such a pitiful lament without any further comment, Habakkuk went on to declare his joyful trust in the Lord no matter what would happen. The conclusion of this magnificent prayer-psalm reminds one of the words of Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" (Job 13:15). As Nute said, "Habakkuk's words here are worthy to stand alongside the 'if not' of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:18)."[35] Such a spirit is surpassed only by the words of Jesus in Gethsemane, "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done!"