Habakkuk Revisited

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I will use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), 3. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some minor alterations have been made relating to Names and Attributes having been corrected as it always should have been!

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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Elo’lei’chem) which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).

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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).

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חֲבַקּוּק - Habakkuk Revisited.

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Just before the study, I would like to commence with one more important quote from the book of Yahushua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).

“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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Introduction:

If you have read the earlier Habakkuk Studies, you will find this takes a different look as this very special prophet.

For interest, Habakkuk’s name means ‘He who embraces’.

He was what we could call a rather unusual a prophet, Yet, he certainly stands out among the prophets, for he really engaged constantly in dialogue with יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים - the LORD Elohim (God), blessed be His Holy Name. It was due to his constant questioning, we witnessed his journey from what we may call ‘in doubt’ as well as ‘confusion’ to what seems like him trusting in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s, blessed be He, sovereignty, even in the midst of turmoil.

Now, let us take a look at the book of Habakkuk and we will do it, this time - Chapter by Chapter.

In Chapter 1: Habakkuk opens with a plea to אֱלֹהִים regarding the violence and injustice he witnesses among his people, Judah. He wonders why אֱלֹהִים seems silent and inactive in the face of such wickedness. However to Habakkuk’s astonishment, אֱלֹהִים replies that He is raising up the Babylonians, a fierce and ruthless nation, to execute judgment on Judah. This answer troubles Habakkuk, as he cannot reconcile how a Holy אֱלֹהִים can possibly use a nation far more evil than Judah to punish them.

Chapter 2: The Righteous Shall Live by Faith.

Habakkuk positions himself as a watchman, waiting for אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s answer to his somewhat troubling questions. יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים responds by instructing him to write down the vision he received.

אֱלֹהִים assures Habakkuk that judgment will also come upon the Babylonians for their arrogance and exploitation. A series of “woes” describe the inevitable downfall of the oppressors.

Most significantly, יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים, Blessed be His Holy Name, declares; “the righteous shall live by his faith.”

הִנֵּה עֻפְּלָה, לֹא-יָשְׁרָה נַפְשׁוֹ בּוֹ; וְצַדִּיק, בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ יִחְיֶה

“Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4. (JPS-1917).

Chapter 3: Habakkuk’s Prayer and Praise:

In this final chapter, is a beautiful prayer, come song of Habakkuk? He acknowledges אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s majesty and the power displayed throughout history!

Habakkuk prays for אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim’s mercy in the midst of His wrath. Although he trembles at what is to come, Habakkuk realises at the end, with a declaration of trust and great joy in יְהוָה - the LORD, blessed be His Holy Name, regardless of circumstances, saying, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of my salvation.”

וַאֲנִי, בַּיהוָה אֶעְלוֹזָה: אָגִילָה, בֵּאלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי

“Yet I will rejoice in יְהוָה - the LORD, I will exult in the אֱלֹהִים of my salvation”. Habakkuk 3:18. (JPS-1917)

Thus what did the Book of Habakkuk teach us?:

There was a time when there was a man who was named Habakkuk and as we have learned that he was really upset about all the bad things happening in his neighbourhood. Tragically the general population were, so say the least mean to each other, and the people just did not seem to even care doing what’s right. Therefore, Habakkuk simply could not understand why אֱלֹהִים - Elohim did not seem to be stepping in to fix things, thus he decided to ask אֱלֹהִים directly. He shouted to the sky.

“Hey אֱלֹהִים, what’s going on? Why are you letting all this terrible stuff happen?”

Then, something very amazing occurred. אֱלֹהִים actually answered him! However, the answer was not what Habakkuk expected. אֱלֹהִים said that He was going to use a group of people, known as the Babylonians, to shake things up. This made Habakkuk even more confused because the Babylonians were certainly far from being good, in fact they were evil. But אֱלֹהִים - Elohim told Habakkuk to write down what He said and to trust Him. אֱלֹהִים, blessed be His Holy Name, explained that at times things have to get shaken up for change to actually happen, and in the end that justice will be served!

This conversation with אֱלֹהִים changed Habakkuk’s heart, as He now realized that even though life can be really tough and it seemed like everything was falling apart. However, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be His Name, had a plan.

Habakkuk decided to be brave and trust אֱלֹהִים plan, regardless of what would actually happen. Then he commenced to sing as he was in celebration, and he was full of joy in his heart because he now knew that אֱלֹהִים was with him.

I am sure that there is a wonderful message and it will have taught us that even when things does not make any sense, we should have faith and find happiness knowing that there is a far greater picture, one which we may not see at the time!

Remember what is in Davarim 31:6. (JPG-1917).

חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ, אַל-תִּירְאוּ וְאַל-תַּעַרְצוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם: כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּךְ-לֹא יַרְפְּךָ, וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them; for יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elo’hei’cha, blessed be His Holy Name, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.

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PLEASE NOTE: If you need assistance in some way, just ask, I can email you special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email me (using the link further below) and I will send it to your email, without any follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me! The email is just down this page.

This site was originally for those who needed to return to our blessed and wonderful faith, thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or of possible three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance! But as you may have discovered it has become very much a teaching site!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a number of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Elo’hei’chem); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Elo’hei’chem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”.

For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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