Habakkuk-Story
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Colour coded details of our beloved 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 alterations or (additions) have been made
relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“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 Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction to the Habakkuk story:
The Book of Habakkuk, covering one of our minor prophets, offers us an unusual and powerful exploration of ‘faith’, ‘justice’, and ‘resilience’. What makes Habakkuk’s story so unique, is ‘the candid, heartfelt conversation he has with אֱלֹהִים (God) which is like a ‘back-and-forth dialogue’ that allows us to see both Habakkuk’s struggles and אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s (God’s) responses in real-time.
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In this study regarding Habakkuk, we will explore not just the prophet’s background and his role, but also what we can learn about אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character and our own faith through these interactions. At the very heart of this study, it invites us to cultivate a steady “even if” faith, one that trusts אֱלֹהִים beyond our immediate understanding!
The question is; Who was Habakkuk, and what kind of Prophet was He?
Habakkuk served as a prophet in Judah during a most turbulent period, likely near the end of King Josiah’s reign, around 640–609 BCE. At this time, Judah was tragically slipping back into idolatry and moral decay.
Unlike many other prophets, who conveyed clear messages of warning or repentance to the people, Habakkuk did something different: he openly questioned אֱלֹהִים, wrestling with divine justice and asking why evil seemed to go unchecked.
These questions formed the basis of an intimate dialogue with אֱלֹהִים that ultimately revealed אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character, patience, and timing, as well as Habakkuk’s own journey toward a deep, unshakable faith.
In the Tanakh, prophets can generally be divided into two main categories: ‘classical and non-classical’. Understanding this distinction helps us see where Habakkuk ‘fits’ and ‘highlights’ what we can learn from his unique role.
1. Non-Classical Prophets: These
include figures like Moses, Elisha, and Elijah, who served as
leaders, miracle-workers, and direct guides to the people. Their role was
less about leaving written messages and more about guiding
Israel through actions and direct influence.
2. Classical Prophets: This
includes prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, who left
behind collections of prophecies and whose main role was to interpret and
declare אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s will to the people. These prophets often
called Israel to align with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s standards, focusing on justice, mercy,
and covenant faithfulness.
Habakkuk is considered a classical prophet, yet amazingly, his book is different from most others. Instead of recording messages directed at the people, Habakkuk’s book captures his personal struggle and open dialogue with אֱלֹהִים.
His story is less about bringing a message to others and more about revealing how to approach אֱלֹהִים honestly, wrestle with questions, and ultimately trust in His goodness and timing.
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Conversations with Habakkuk:
One of the most powerful aspects of Habakkuk’s story is the way his conversation with אֱלֹהִים unfolds. Through his honest questions and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s responses, we learn about אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character, patience, and willingness to engage with us, even in our doubts. Here are a few lessons that arise from their conversation:
Habakkuk
begins his conversation with deep, heartfelt questions:
“How long, O יְהוָה - LORD, shall I
cry, and Thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou wilt not
save”. Habakkuk 1:2. (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
His frustration is evident; he sees the injustice around him and just cannot understand why אֱלֹהִים seems silent. Instead of rebuking him, אֱלֹהִים listens and responds, showing us that He isn’t put off by our questions or doubts. This interaction reminds us that אֱלֹהִים values honesty and wants a real relationship with us one where we feel free to bring our struggles and concerns.
Through this, we learn
that bringing our doubts to אֱלֹהִים
isn’t a lack of faith; it’s an invitation to draw closer, to engage with Him
more deeply.
אֱלֹהִים is
not intimidated by our questions, and He does not reject us for wrestling with
uncertainty. Instead, He meets us in that space, inviting us to seek Him more.
When Habakkuk questions why אֱלֹהִים allows evil and injustice to persist, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s response is not what he expected. אֱלֹהִים reveals that He is indeed at work, using Babylon, a nation more corrupt than Judah, to bring judgment!
This answer puzzles
Habakkuk, who doesn’t understand why a righteous אֱלֹהִים
would use a corrupt nation to bring justice. Yet, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s response
shows that His ways are beyond our understanding, even as His character remains
just and good.
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s answer to
Habakkuk teaches us to trust His character, even
when His ways seem mysterious. Through this dialogue, we
learn that divine justice operates on a scale beyond our comprehension.
While אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s
timing and methods may differ from what we would choose, His ultimate goal
is to bring restoration and justice.
In Habakkuk 2:3, אֱלֹהִים tells the prophet:
“For the
vision is yet for the appointed time, and it declareth
of the end, and doth not lie”.
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’’s
conversation with Habakkuk reveals that while justice will come, it may not
come on our schedule. This “appointed time” encourages Habakkuk to develop
patience, to trust that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s timing is
purposeful, even if it feels delayed.
Through this
conversation, we see that faith involves waiting, holding onto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s promises,
and remaining steadfast in our trust. Through Habakkuk’s questions, we learn
that אֱלֹהִים
welcomes our struggles, His justice is deeper than we
often see, and true faith means trusting His timing, even when
answers are not immediate.
The Hebrew word ‘emunah’, meaning “faith” or “steadfastness,” appears prominently
in Habakkuk. In Habakkuk 2:4:
“the
righteous will live by his faith” (צַדִּיק
בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ
יִחְיֶה), becomes a central message.
Here, ‘emunah’ implies a loyalty to אֱלֹהִים that isn’t dependent on circumstances. Through his conversations with אֱלֹהִים, Habakkuk’s ‘emunah’ becomes stronger, helping him learn to trust אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character and timing over his own understanding.
How would you describe your faith when life is uncertain? Do you feel your trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s promises deepening?
Habakkuk’s heart is consumed by ‘mishpat’, or “justice”. He longs for אֱלֹהִים to step in, bringing order and righteousness to a world overcome by corruption. When אֱלֹהִים reveals His plan, it’s a reminder that Divine justice often takes unexpected forms.
Habakkuk’s dialogue with אֱלֹהִים challenges us to examine if our own lives align with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s standards of justice, mercy, and truth.
Although ‘shalom’ (peace or
wholeness) is not directly mentioned, it’s implied in Habakkuk’s final prayer.
After all his questions, Habakkuk finds ‘shalom’ through trust.
His journey from
frustration to peace reflects the spiritual wholeness that comes when
we surrender to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s wisdom. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s conversation with Habakkuk reassures us
that shalom comes from trusting in ’
אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s character, even when life’s answers remain
unclear.
Habakkuk’s journey
reminds us that faith isn’t about avoiding doubt but about engaging אֱלֹהִים
within it. His conversations with אֱלֹהִים teach
us that real faith brings questions to אֱלֹהִים,
trusting Him enough to ask.
When אֱלֹהִים
responds, Habakkuk learns to move from questioning to trusting. This honest
interaction invites us to bring our own doubts to אֱלֹהִים,
knowing that He welcomes and responds to our pursuit.
Habakkuk’s powerful declaration of faith is in chapter 3:17-18:
“For though the fig-tree shall
not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour
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; Yet I will rejoice in יְהוָה - the LORD, I will
exult in the אֱלֹהִים of my
salvation”.
It is a profound
statement of his dialogue with אֱלֹהִים, Habakkuk learns to shift his focus from his circumstances to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unchanging nature.
This faith is not about
knowing all the answers but about trusting אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character deeply enough to praise Him
regardless of life’s outcomes.
Habakkuk’s final response to יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - LORD our Eloheinu’s (God’s) conversation is one of ‘worship’, reminding us that true faith looks upward, even when answers are incomplete.
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My Closing Message:
Habakkuk’s story invites
us into a conversation with one that doesn’t shy away from hard questions. His
journey reminds us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim values our honesty and meets us in our doubts,
transforming our questions into trust.
His profound “even if”
faith stands as an example of resilience rooted in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unchanging goodness. This special Tannakh study of Habakkuk shows us that our deepest questions
can bring us closer to יְהוָה -
the LORD,
helping us discover who He is and who we are called to be.
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This site was originally created, for
those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise
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and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the
following via several 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. (JPS).
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May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem -
Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
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