Asirey-Hatikvah
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אֲסִירֵי
הַתִּקְוָה
“Asirey Hatikvah”
“Prisoners of the Hope”.
Zecharyah
- Zecheriah 9:12.
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Part One:
The phrase “Prisoners of The Hope” is the theme and title of
Zechariah’s address to Yisrael. He calls them to return, and thus he opens his
address in chapter 9 verse 12 with the message that the Elohim of Avraham,
Yitzchak and Ya’akov is the Elohim of Hope!
שׁוּבוּ,
לְבִצָּרוֹן,
אֲסִירֵי
הַתִּקְוָה;
גַּם-הַיּוֹם,
מַגִּיד
מִשְׁנֶה
אָשִׁיב לָךְ
Transliteration:
“Shuvu Le’vitz’aron A’sirei Ha’Tikvah; Gam Ha’yom Ma’gid Mish’neh A’shib Lach”.
English version:
“Return
to the stronghold, ye prisoners of the hope; even today
do I declare that I will render double unto thee”. Zecharyah - Zecheriah 9:12.
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהִים (the LORD Elohim) blessed be His Holy Name, used this special man to share
a profound message to His people. In fact, Zechariah’s own name had a profound
meaning, and it contained a huge declaration for its time.
זְכַר - “Zachar”
means, “remember” and יָה - “Yah” is
the first part of the “Memorial Name” of אֱלֹהִים (Elohim - God). Thus, the meaning of Zecharyah message is “YAH remembers.”
It is comforting to know that the Almighty, blessed be He, remembers His
Covenant and the promises, which He has made with B’nei Yisroel (the House of
Israel).
But what is meant by the term “Asirey Hatikvah” - “Prisoners of the Hope”?
If we look at humanity at large, we
will soon conclude that sadly, many individuals are prisoners of boredom,
depression, the self, alcohol, money, drugs and yes even despair. However,
praise be to אֱלֹהִים, those who believe in
Him and all His promises, are indeed “prisoners” of Him who is “the Hope!”
Why the word “Prisoner”?
At the very mention of the word, we
tend to think of being incarcerated by the law, but here you will find that it
reveals a special meaning. The thought Zecharyah wishes to convey is to be
“bound,” or to be in a “protective care” of Him who is termed in this verse as
“the Hope.” Think of it in this way. A prisoner of the law is placed in a
prison, which is surrounded by high walls. These walls are there to stop the
prisoner from escaping, to keep them in. However, אֱלֹהִים Himself is a wall surrounding those He calls His own. This wall helps to
keep our evil inclination out, and it surrounds those who keep Torah with the
“protective care” of Him who is our “Hope!”
But,
what of the word “Tikvah”?
This word translates as follows, “a
Cord” or “Hope.” “Tikvah”
is derived from the root “Kavah”
meaning “to tarry” - “to gather,” - “to look.” It is important to note, that
Zecharyah did not say “prisoners of hope,” but “Prisoners of THE
Hope.” But, what, or who is “the Hope” that we should “tarry” and “look”
for? There is a prophetic “cord” of him throughout the Tanach. Just a few
verses earlier אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, through
Zecharyah said;
“Behold, your King will come to you,
righteous and victorious is he … He shall speak peace to the nations. His
dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth”
Verses 9 & 10.
This is the wonderful promise about
the future coming of our Mashiach (Messiah). The 12th of Rambam’s Thirteen Principles states;
“I believe with
perfect faith in the coming of the Mashiach. How long it takes, we will await his coming every day.”
When Mashiach comes he is styled as
“the stronghold” and “the hope” of Yisroel. We may ask “when will he come?”
There are many thoughts on this matter, but, we simply don’t know.
There is one theory, one the author likes. He will come on the Sabbath,
when ALL Yisroel will keep the Sabbath together!
As in other prophecies in the Tanach,
especially in the book of Zecharyah, (and Yeshayahu) we see Mashiach styled as him who is “the Hope.”
As we all know, the national anthem
of Eretz Yisroel is “Hatikvah”
– “the Hope”, which in a way keeps alive the prophecy as given by Zecharyah.
אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He,
promised Yisroel through Zecharyah, that if they would return unto Him in faith
and keeping Torah; He would “make them as the sword of a mighty man.” The Word
of Elohim gives
hope and comfort unto all that listen and heed Him!
Part Two:
May the extraordinary details
contained in the book of Zecharyah give us a better understanding of what יְהוָה
אֱלֹהִים - (the LORD Elohim),
blessed be His Sanctified Name, wishes to say to us? Let us look at chapter 1
verse 1.
“In the eighth month,
in the second year of Darius, the word of יָהוָה came to Zecharyah, son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying.”
“In the eighth month,
in the second year of Darius, came the word of יָהוָה (the LORD) unto Zechariah the
son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying”.
This verse reveals that the Word
of אֱלֹהִים is for a particular
time and place. However, we must remember that the message still has relevance
for us today.
Let us look at the
overall picture of the time in question:
The time in question is during the
second year of Darius and the scene takes place in Jerusalem approximately in
the Hebrew month of Tishri 520 BCE. We know from the Tanach that Persia had
defeated Babylon and that some two hundred thousand of B’nei Israelites had
returned from Babylon and had been living in Jerusalem for the past sixteen
years. The Mishkan - Temple at this stage was only partly completed and
frankly, it was in a sorry state. Yet, the city itself was well built and the
people were living in comfortable homes. This is so typical of humanity; as
they prefer to take care of their personal comforts first, whilst Spiritual
matters were left for last.
In this rebuilt city, we find an old
man ‘Iddo’ who is a priest. His son Berechiah (Zecharyah’s father) had been dead for some time.
We need to understand that names are important
in the Word. “Iddo” means “appointed time” or
“witness.” A fuller meaning being, אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) never
forgets and has His time. “BerechYah”
means “YAH Blesses” and this blessing came in the form of a gifted son named “ZecharYah,” which means, “YAH Remembers.” Zecharyah was a
priest from a priestly family and he is on the scene at the right time and the
right place.
During this same time, the prophet
Haggai lived, as did Zerubbabel who was the Governor
of Jerusalem, and Yahushua - Joshua was the High priest. However, אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, chose
the priest Zecharyah to be His special prophet for that time, and gave him a
Word to deliver to the people.
Interestingly, there is a conflict
here, for priests and prophets are different in their functions. The following
reveals some powerful differences between a priest and a prophet.
A PRIEST is a man who goes to אֱלֹהִים and speaks on behalf of men.
A PROPHET is a man who goes to the people and speaks on behalf of אֱלֹהִים.
They are two entirely different functions. In
the Tanach they did not overlap, except in a few outstanding cases. Priests and
prophets often were at loggerheads with one another, for …
The PRIEST stood for RITUALS.
The PROPHET for RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The PRIEST was interested in the
INSTITUTIONAL.
The PROPHET in the
INSPIRATIONAL.
The PRIEST was interested in the EXTERNALS.
The PROPHET was only interested in the INTERNAL.
For these very reasons, priests and
prophets were frequently had quite a few differences. The INSTITUTIONAL and RITUAL can
bring corruption. It then takes a prophet appointed by אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, to put
the situation right. Thus, אֱלֹהִים spoke to Zecharyah and commanded him to speak to Yisroel.
Being a prophet would completely
change Zecharyah’s life. We know that
he prophesied for some four years. Thereafter, he would have served as a priest
again, and he lived a good long life.
Zecharyah and Haggai were sent
together to encourage Yisroel to rebuild the Temple. Again, if Haggai
concentrated on the externals of the building by having it built, Zecharyah
took it much further by concentrating on the internals, and showed Yisroel that
it is not enough to get the building up, but to do it with a heart and
with fervour for אֱלֹהִים. That, which is
in the heart of man matters, not just the exterior! It is not erecting a
building to the glory of אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He; it is
living to the glory of אֱלֹהִים- יָהוָה- (The LORD Elohim),
blessed be His Sanctified Name, even if you are not inside the building. That
was the difference between Zecharyah and Haggai.
Furthermore, Haggai saw only a few
months or years ahead to the completion of the Temple. Zecharyah through
his prophetic telescope looked through the centuries, as far as the coming of
Mashiach. He showed the grandeur of the future and if you have something to
look forward to, you will get on with the job, which is at hand today! This is
part of אֱלֹהִים eternal plan of the ages; a little given unto the Almighty today becomes
much in the eternal view!
In the beginning of chapter 1, we see
Zecharyah deliver a short message. After he spoke the prophecy אֱלֹהִים had given him, the people knew without doubt that he was indeed a messenger
of אֱלֹהִים. He might have been a
young man, but they knew that our heavenly Father was speaking through him. As
we look at the message, we will come to realise how special that Word was.
“יָהוָה (the
LORD) hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto
them, Thus saith צְבָאוֹת-
יְהוָה(the
LORD of hosts): Return unto
Me, saith צְבָאוֹת-
יְהוָהand I will return unto you, saith–יָהוָה. Be ye not
as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: Thus saith : Return ye now
from your evil ways, and from your evil doings; but they did not hear, nor
attend unto Me, saith יָהוָה. Your
fathers, where are they, and the prophets, do they live
for ever? But My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the
prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? so that they turned and said: Like
as the LORD of hosts purposed to do unto us, according to our ways, and
according to our doings, so hath He dealt with us”. Zecharyah - Zecheriah 1:2-6.
Zecharyah's subject
was יְהוָה (the LORD)! His title for יְהוָה was interesting. He
uses it some forty times in his book, צְבָאוֹת-
יְהוָה(the LORD of Hosts)”. For He is the great “I Am”, Master of
the universe, legions, armies, battalions, and all forces. Yisroel felt rather insignificant at the time, having come out of
captivity and having seen the power of Babylon smashed by the mighty hand of
Persia. Thus, proclaiming אֱלֹהִים as צְבָאוֹת-
יְהוָה- being “the LORD of Hosts” meant much to
Yisroel. Zecharyah also stated, “צְבָאוֹת-
יְהוָה(the
LORD of Hosts) says, when are you going to
RETURN to Me.” This seemed to be a strange thing to say,
considering Yisroel had travelled so far coming home from Babylon. You can just
hear them thinking, “This young fellow is saying return to אֱלֹהִים, but have we not
travelled far enough?”
The meaning of the message is simply
this; You can return to the City of אֱלֹהִים, but you may not have
returned to אֱלֹהִים. Going to the Synagogue
in itself means absolutely nothing, for, sadly, many go to the Synagogue in a
ritualistic manner on the Sabbath, or on the Feasts. However, if you go to
praise אֱלֹהִים, with all your heart
and soul, then that means everything. In other words, when going to the
Synagogue, “Do you go to the House of אֱלֹהִים, or, to the אֱלֹהִים of the House?” The building does absolutely nothing for you. Only
relationships matter, especially our relationship with אֱלֹהִים! This is what Zecharyah
was saying to Yisroel at that time, and that message is still as powerful today
as it was then!
But, the tragedy was, Yisroel had
indeed come back to the city of אֱלֹהִים and tried to rebuild it, but it was being done without heart, without
returning to אֱלֹהִים. It was simply a labour
of the hands, not one of love and faith. Sadly, most houses of worship are
still being built like that, as people love the grandeur of their Synagogues,
which have cost a fortune. Now we begin to understand why Zecharyah had to be a
prophet, for Yisroel did not yet need a priest. This is the reason אֱלֹהִים gave the message, “Get back to me יְהוָה (the LORD) and He will
come back to you.” The real root behind the problem is; they had departed from
the ways of אֱלֹהִים, be it in part or all
together. Like today, many do not keep Torah, because of their selfish,
hedonistic ways. That is why Zecharyah started his message in this powerful
way. Let us all Yisroel learn from it, and heed to it!
The key phrase is “Your
forefathers.” What was the reason for speaking about the forefathers? אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, was
revealing to them, that the only thing Yisroel had learned from history, that
they had not learned from it at all, thus they continued to make the same mistakes
over and over again, just as their forefathers had. Zecharyah said, “יָהוָה was angry with
your forefathers for they did not listen, nor did they heed to יָהוָה.” There is a big
difference between hearing and heeding. You may hear the Word of אֱלֹהִים, but you may not heed
to it. You may be a good sermon taster, but that is not heeding or acting
on אֱלֹהִים Word, being the Torah. Be convicted by אֱלֹהִים Word, heed and act
upon it and you shall be richly blessed. Zecharyah says, “Your fathers did not
heed. They took no notice.” I pray that you will!
Yisroel at the time was suffering
what I call practical atheism. The descendants of Shem, who were the seed of
Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) believed in אֱלֹהִים, but they were living
as if אֱלֹהִים did not exist.
Did you realise that there are very
few genuine atheists in the world? Atheists will tell you straight, “There is
no God”. However, there are also millions, who do not deny the existence of
God, but ignore His existence by their behaviour and lifestyle. I call them the
godless atheists. Many people make the grave mistake not believing that אֱלֹהִים means what He has said
in His Word. Many do not believe that they will never be Judged” they think it
is a “figment of the imagination.”
What happens to those that will not
heed to אֱלֹהִים? Zecharyah makes it
quite clear when he says, “Where are your fathers now”? And he answered his own
question; “They are dead.” Eventually, the Word of אֱלֹהִים will overtake you. What
אֱלֹהִים said He would do, He
does. Then, it will be too late to change your mind! Turn away from אֱלֹהִים and you will have to
suffer the consequences, the consequences, which Yisroel has suffered, as
history proves. Yisroel was taken into captivity and made slaves. You simply
cannot turn away from the Word of אֱלֹהִים without it having an
effect upon your life. Tragically, many have to go through much pain before
they will cry out unto אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), blessed be He. Many learn the hard way and ask אֱלֹהִים help when caught up in
a disaster. It is during those moments they will seek Him and often repent
during times of pain. However, one should believe and repent without a disaster
in their lives. That is what Zecharyah is saying to the people.
“Come back to יָהוָה ... Do it NOW, while things are good ... Get back
with אֱלֹהִים-יָהוָה before
you lose your life ... Don’t be like your fathers!” Paraphrased.
A good and faithful Rabbi
in Poland:
Let me conclude this study by relating
a true story that occurred many years ago in Poland, and believe me it is
a lesson everyone should heed. It is a story about an old Rabbi who surely
loved the אֱלֹהִים of his fathers.
However
on one Sabbath, the Rabbi was about to give his study towards the end of the
service. He stood at the ‘Ark of the Covenant’ (where the Torah Scrolls,
Five Books of Moshe - Moses, are kept) and he was pondering about the
message he was to give. After what seemed a lengthy silence, with great sadness
in his eyes, he said the following.
“This will be my shortest, but the most important message I will ever give you. ‘Repent one day before you die’”.
He then stood there in total silence,
for that was a profound message which אֱלֹהִים had laid
on his heart.
There was a deadly silence throughout
the Synagogue, and the silence seemed to go on forever. But then suddenly out
of the silence, a young Yeshiva student stood up and asked,
“But Rabbi, how will we know when we are going to die?”
The Rabbi replied;
“Therefore repent NOW, repent this very moment, for no-one knows when they are going to die. It could be today, or tomorrow. Be ready and Repent Now!”
This story contains a remarkable
truth. For we do not know when our time will come, but are we
ready to meet our heavenly Father? Or do we have the attitude Yisroel had
in rebuilding the Temple.
“Let’s get on with our personal comfort, and
leave the spiritual things for later.”
We must
become involved in the rebuilding of the internals, the temple within us,
giving our all unto אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He. It is time for all of us to recommit ourselves
to serve our loving Creator and you will have the assurance, that in His grace
and love, our spiritual lives will be in order! When יָהוָה, blessed
be His holy Name, speaks to your heart, and I believe that He may well be
speaking to you even now as you read this study, take the opportunity to set
all things right with Him. Do it now! Become a “Prisoner of THE HOPE.”
“Behold, your King is coming to you. He is just and having Salvation … He shall speak peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth”. Zecharyah 9:9 & 10.
The phrase “Prisoners of the Hope”
was the theme and title of Zecharyah’s address
to Yisrael and yes to us this very day! His message was simple, for in reality
it is still relevant today as it was then, for אֱלֹהִים will always be; the
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Hope!
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In Conclusion, a Question
to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of this
study or a line has touched you the most? And how do you feel, are
you a happy and well, as well being a faithful Hebrew upholding as many of our
Mitzvoth’s as is possible? I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains
far too many problems as well as enticements, which usually tends to throw so
many off track. Thus, the various struggles that may be
taking place in your life today, can so often have sad and cruel effects upon
your life?
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).
PLEASE
NOTE: If you need
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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 God); 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 Elohim”. 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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