Who-was-Habakkuk
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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 -
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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.
חֲבַקּוּק - Ḥăbāqūq - Habakkuk was one of the Minor Prophets, and he did offer us an unusual and a powerful exploration of ‘faith’, ‘justice’, and ‘resilience’. What makes Habakkuk’s story so unique, well it is most ‘candid’, ‘heartfelt conversation he has with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim usually being a ‘back and forth dialogue’ that allows us to see both Habakkuk’s struggles and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s responses in real-time!
In this Tanakh study of Habakkuk, we will explore not only the prophet’s background and role, but also what we can learn about Elohim’s character and our own faith through these interactions. At its heart, this study invites us to ‘cultivate a steady faith’, one that trusts אֱלֹהִים beyond our immediate understanding.
We can ask; Who was Habakkuk, and What Kind of Prophet Was He really?
For interest, Habakkuk served as a prophet in Judah during a turbulent period, likely near the end of King Josiah’s reign, around 640-609 BCE. At this time, Judah was slipping back into ‘idolatry’ and sadly ‘in severe moral decay’.
Unlike many other prophets, who conveyed clear messages of warning re repentance for the people, Habakkuk did something very 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 - Elohim 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’.
Non-Classical Prophets: These include figures like Moshe - Moses, Elisha, and Yeshayahu - 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.
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 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 - Elohim.
His story is less
about bringing a message to others and more about revealing how to approach אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim honestly, wrestle with questions, and ultimately trust in His goodness and timing.
One of the most powerful aspects of Habakkuk’s story is the way his conversation with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim 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:
His frustration is evident; he sees the injustice around him and cannot understand why אֱלֹהִים - Elohim seems silent. Instead of rebuking him, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim listens and responds, showing us that He is not put off by our questions or doubts. This interaction reminds us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim 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
- Elohim isn’t
a lack of faith; it’s an invitation to draw closer, to engage with Him more
deeply.
אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim 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
- Elohim 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 יְהוָה - the LORD’s timing and methods may differ from what we
would choose, His ultimate goal is to bring
restoration and justice.
In Habakkuk 2:3 (JPS), אֱלֹהִים tells the prophet:
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it declareth of the end, and doth not delay”.
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!
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This site was originally
created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith.
Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if
possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His
love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However
this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
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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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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