Habakkuk-Study-2
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Please Note: On this page I will show the blessed four letter “Memorial Name” of the Almighty in Ivrit - Hebrew,יְהוָה - YHVH, blessed be His Sanctified Name, which we usually pronounce
as “Adonai” (LORD) or “HaSHEM” (The NAME). At all times
please treat the most blessed Name with Sanctity and when we see the
Name, יְהוָהwe should say, בָּרוּךְ
שֵׁם
קָדוֹשׁוֹ – ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
In addition, the Almighty’s blessed Attribute אֱלֹהִים -
God - Elohim.
The Sacred Name should ONLY be
used during our daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) & during Torah
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Tanakh
versions:
Throughout this site I may 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.
Some minor alterations have been made relating
to Names and Attributes having been corrected.
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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’hei’chem) which I
command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
“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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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
“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 Number 2:
Although we have
learned a great deal about the prophet Habakkuk in Study One, yet there is so
much more to discover from his conversations with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God). Habakkuk was a prophet who was what seems,
a bit of a complainer. However, we should be careful not to judge him, for he
was a faithful prophet of אֱלֹהִים
during a difficult time in Israel’s history. In
fact, he was a good example for us, for he looked at circumstances and felt
like אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice was not prevailing. However
in the end, he realized that circumstances do not determine the faithfulness of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD Elohim!
The Book of Habakkuk is known as “a book of questions” because the minor prophet asked אֱלֹהִים - Eohim, blessed be He, a series of questions in the short book of only three chapters. Habakkuk could not understand what was going on around him. Therefore, he had questions about his nation just as people today have questions about the things that are going on.
Habakkuk could
not help but notice that the nation was in chaos, with riots, laws not being
followed, corrupt government officials, and worst of all there was no justice.
Habakkuk didn't just complain. He asked אֱלֹהִים
why these things were happening. He even went a step further and accused אֱלֹהִים
of doing nothing about it (Habakkuk 1:1-4).
When אֱלֹהִים finally responded to Habakkuk’s questions, the answers were nothing that Habakkuk expected to hear. What אֱלֹהִים told Habakkuk might be the same as what He is telling us today about the evil and mystifying things that are going on around us.
Habakkuk's
Questions and אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s Responses:
Habakkuk
complained that אֱלֹהִים
was not doing anything about the injustice in the nation. Habakkuk and אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s dialogues are
recorded in Chapters 1 and 2. In fact, the book opens with Habakkuk’s complaint
and his list of questions.
How long, יְהוָה
- the LORD, must I call for help, but you do not
listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look
at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are
before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is
paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that
justice is perverted”. (Habakkuk 1:1-4).
אֱלֹהִים did not ignore the prophet's accusations and questions. אֱלֹהִים responded to Habakkuk by saying what He intended to do.
“Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told”. (Habakkuk 1:5-6).
Habakkuk responded with a second complaint and more questions.
“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?”. (Habakkuk 1:13)
The conversation continues in Chapter 2. אֱלֹהִים tells Habakkuk what he should do as a prophet as well as wanting אֱלֹהִים to act.
“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay!. (Habakkuk 2:1-3).
Our Heavenly Father explains that He will judge when He is ready to do so. Besides, He reminds Habakkuk that his own nation had done the same to other nations. In other words, Habakkuk’s nation has brought this situation on itself!
“Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples will plunder you, because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all who dwell in it”. (Habakkuk 2:8).
אֱלֹהִים - God’s Assurance to Habakkuk:
אֱלֹהִים
assured Habakkuk that He was working on the corruption in the land in His own
way and in His own time. Instead of telling the prophet what He was doing, אֱלֹהִים
wanted Habakkuk to be patient, walk by faith, and do what he could do as a man
of אֱלֹהִים.
Habakkuk Is Satisfied with אֱלֹהִים Answers
Habakkuk
complained and questioned אֱלֹהִים
in Chapters 1 and 2. We see in Chapter 3 that Habakkuk expressed his ultimate
confidence in אֱלֹהִים
even before אֱלֹהִים
acted the way the prophet expected.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in יְהוָה - the LORD, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy’ Name I will be joyful in אֱלֹהִים my Saviour”. (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
According to Habakkuk’s list, everything that could go wrong would not make him waver in his faith. The list begins with having no figs and olives to eat. Then the list continues with the prophet saying even if no animals were available, he would still rejoice in the Lord. In other words, Habakkuk admitted that if all essential things were taken away, He would rejoice in אֱלֹהִים his saviour!
Life Applications:
Habakkuk rejoiced
before any changes took place. He did not wait until אֱלֹהִים
acted on his complaints and questions. Habakkuk took אֱלֹהִים
at His word and acted on his faith.
Can we do the
same when our own nation is in chaos and confusion? Can we rejoice at times
like these where public health is at risk and the economy is failing? אֱלֹהִים
- God’s answers to
Habakkuk are His answers to us as well.
The question now
is what have we learned from the two Habakkuk studies? Below are some
suggestions:
1... Continue to stay focused on יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - YHVH Elohei’nu - the LORD our Elohim.
2... Keep the faith.
3... Do not waver.
4... Let אֱלֹהִים do what He does in His time.
5... Just be patient and wait!
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In Conclusion, a
Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or
statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel
about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing
well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our
blessed Mitzvoth’s?
I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains far too many
deviations as well as problems that seem to get in the way of our
Hebrew lifestyle. Yet worse than that, these days there are far too many
enticements, which can so easily throw many off track,
and I know that has happened far too much. Thus, if there are struggles
that are taking place in your life, be it at this or at any time, I am well
aware that sadly it can often have a terrible and a cruel effect upon your
life?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in
your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve
your life, for אֱלֹהִים, בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is
always there and ready to help and guide you!
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! My email is just down this page.
This site was originally set up 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!
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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