Shabbat Shalom, everyone. God bless you. It's such a privilege for us to be able to be together under the sound of the Word, to be able to have the Bible open before us, and to be able to have the Lord Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, as the one that encourages our hearts as we study the Word of God. And today, with the Lord's help, we are going to start to look into the book of Habakkuk, the prophecy which Habakkuk, the prophet of the Lord have given to us, one of the minor prophets of Israel. And it is our privilege to be able to begin today the study of the prophet Habakkuk, Hanavi Habakkuk.

If you don't mind to turn with me to the first chapter of Habakkuk, and I would like to begin with simply reading the first verse and the second verse of chapter one. I'm just going to read verse 1 and verse 2a, and I would like you to just notice how beautiful it is. We begin with the word, the burden, which Habakkuk, the prophet, did see. And notice what we read in verse 2. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou will not hear? And I would like you to pause here with me as we begin the study of the prophecy of Habakkuk. It is very interesting because I really love the name Habakkuk, because Habakkuk comes from the Hebrew word Lechabek.

Lechabek simply means to hug, to embrace. In fact, we can call him the embracer of Israel. Habakkuk was that man that had so much concern for the people of Judah, for the people of Israel, that he was in a sense observing the spiritual state of Israel, and especially the southern tribes of Judah and Jerusalem. And he was so concerned that when he saw their condition among the nation of Israel, he laid his burden, his Massah in Hebrew, before the Lord God of Israel. In a sense, really, we can say, today, those of us who are believers in the Lord Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, we look at the condition that exists among the people of God today, in these last days of the church age, of the assembly days, we can look and we can see the condition, and we also, like Habakkuk, ought to embrace the believers, the body of Christ, the body of Messiah, and we also need to have concern to embrace Lechabek, as it were, the people of God, and through prayer, to turn to God and ask him, "Oh Lord, oh Lord, look what is going on today among the people of God." Don't you feel like so, beloved brothers and sisters?

We can definitely say that we also need to have the same concern that Habakkuk had for Israel. We need to have the same concern for the body of Messiah, of our Lord Yeshua, Jesus Christ. And so, notice how the book began, it used the word, the burden. The Hebrew word for burden is Massah, and it's not only Massah, but the burden, Ham Massah. It's like a load that one carries because the concern for the people of God. Or, when I think about the concern that Shaul Paul had for the believers, in, for example, in Ephesus, if you remember, in Acts chapter 20, he knew very well what is going to happen to the people of God in the latter days.

He knew very well, and he was so concerned for them that he gathered the elders of the assembly of Ephesus from Miltus. He called them in Acts chapter 20, and then when they came to him, he said to them, he said, "You know, from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mine, and with many tears, and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews and to the Greeks, to the Gentiles, repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Yeshua the Messiah." "Behold, I go bound," notice that he said, "in spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the thing that shall befall me there, save that the Holy Spirit, witness in every city, saying that bonds and affliction abide me.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and in the ministry which I have received of the Lord Yeshua to testify the gospel of the grace of God." And now you remember what Paul told to the leaders, to the elders from the assembly at Ephesus. He says to them in verse 25 of Acts chapter 20, "Behold, I know that ye all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God and see my faith no more. Wherefore, I take you to record." He said to them, "This day that I am pure for the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." And then he warned them, and I believe that's the same concern that Habakkuk had for his own people, our own nation Israel of all, that Shaul Paul have a concern for the local assembly at Ephesus, but all the world.

That happened 2,000 years ago when Shaul Paul ministered to these brethren at Ephesus like, "You and I need to have this concern today, the last days of the church age." He said to them, "Take heed, therefore unto yourself, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit had made you overseers to feed the assembly of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." He says, "Also of your own self shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." And he continued, I read all the way to verse 30, from verse 17 to verse 30 of Acts chapter 20.

But it's in a very, you might say Shaul Paul, similar to Habakkuk, had so much concern for his own people. His name, Chabakuk, lehit chabek, to hug, to embrace. He is the embracer of Israel, who seeks the welfare of his people, but he had a dilemma. And that's why the whole book of Chabakuk, it has to do, not so much with Chabakuk preaching a message, or prophesying a message to the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, or to the whole nation of Israel. No, but his dilemma, he had a dilemma, and he speaks to God. And in a sense, Chabakuk, the whole book of Chabakuk, the whole prophecy of Chabakuk, is a dialogue between Chabakuk, the embracer of Israel, and the God of Israel, and having concern for the people of Israel.

Boy, I wish we had the same concern for God's people today, as Chabakuk had concern for his people, Israel, in days of old, in the history of the Jewish people. Now, I want you to notice, beloved brothers and sisters, that his name, of course, as I mentioned, is Chabakuk, to hug, to embrace. And some suggest, that he may have been, this is part of perhaps Jewish history, that he may have been the son of the Shunamit, that is found in 2 Kings chapter 4, when Elisha, passed the area that is called Shunem, and there there was a great woman, and she constrained him to eat bread. And if you remember, Elisha said to her, in chapter 4 of 2 Kings, he said, through Gehazi, his servant, he said, in verse 12, and he said to Gehazi, his servant, call this Shunamit.

And when he had called her, she stood before him, that is before Elisha, and he said unto him, say now unto her, behold, thou hast been careful for us, with all this care, what is to be done for thee? would thou be spoken to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And notice what Elisha, through Gehazi, would say unto the Shunamite, or Shunamit. And he said, what then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, verily, she has no child, and her, and her husband is old. And look how beautiful, we read in verse 15 and 16, of 2 Kings 4.

And he said, call her. And when he called, he had called her, she stood in the door, and he said, about this season, according to this time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. The Hebrew says, ke'et chaya eti choveket ben. In other words, choveket comes from the Hebrew word, chabakuk, lechabek. In other words, in due time, you will embrace a son. Now this is what, some in Jewish realm teach, that chabakuk may have been, the one that is the son of the Shunamit, or the woman from Shunam. But, we do not know that, all what we can say, that chabakuk was a prophet, of Israel, that minister, you might say, among the people of Judah.

But in this particular book, chabakuk, his prophecy, is really, a conversation, between him, and the God of Israel.

The time, with respect to the date, in which this book of chabakuk, was written, or was presented, it was in a time, it had been, suggested, that because, of the fact, that the caladins, or the Babylonian, haven't yet rose to power, it must have been, sometime, between 630, to 620, BC, the people of Judah, were not yet, taken captive, by the Babylonian, but the condition, among our own nation, of Israel, of Judah, was so said, that now, there was a time, in preparation, that Judah, will be taken captive, by the Babylonian, and as we know, from history, at 605, BC, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came, and besieged, Jerusalem, and took captive, some of the

people, of Judah, which is including, Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, in those three dates, beginning, in 605, BC, when the Jewish people, were taken captive, by the Babylonian, interesting, if we read, in the book of Daniel, I'm just going to, read the first verses, in Daniel, chapter 1, we find out, these words, and I just want to, read it for us, it says, in the third year, of the reign, of Yeroyakim, king of Judah, came Nebuchad, Netzer, king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem, and besieged it, and then we read, and the Lord, gave Yeroyakim, king of Judah, into his hand, with part of the vessels, of the house, of God, and so we notice, that it's

beginning, of course, with, at 605, BC, eventually, the people, of Judah, were taken captive, to Babylon, but, it seemed to be, from what we read here, that, God has not yet, raised, the Kaladins, you notice, that in Habakkuk, 1 verse 6, he says, "Lo, I will raise, the Kaladins, the Kasdim, in Hebrew, that bitter, and hasty nation, which eventually, he would bring them, to deal, with his own, people of Judah, and take them, to captivity, so, very interesting, that, Habakkuk, before, this event, occurred, he began, to dialogue, with God, and he was, speaking, to the Lord, having concern, for his people, the people, of Judah, and we're going to see that, as we study, dear

brothers and sisters, the book of, Habakkuk, Habakkuk, well, if the date, is sometime, between, 630, to 620, BC, the rise, of the Babylonian, would come, to pass, a little bit later, and then eventually, they would come, against, the people, of, Judah, interesting, that if we would look, at, Isaiah, at chapter 48, we will notice, that the name, Kaladins, or Kasdim, in Hebrew, and Babylonian, are linked, together, for example, in, Isaiah 48, and verse 20, go ye forth, of Babylon, flee ye, from, the Kaladins, with, a voice, of singing, declare ye, tell this, utter it even, to the end, of the earth, say ye, the Lord, has redeemed, his servant Jacob, that takes us, of course,

to the, restoration, of the people, of Israel, the, the, Babylonian, captivity, so, Habakkuk, is really, in this, prophecy, is speaking, to God, speaking, to Jehovah, to Yahweh, to Jehovah, and he's sharing, with him, the burden, that he, has, for the things, that were not, right, in the, in his time, there, in the land, of Judah, in the land, Israel, now notice, that the theme, very interesting, that the theme, of the book, of Habakkuk, is really found, in chapter 2, of the book, of Habakkuk, and verse 4, there, in chapter 2, and verse 4, God is speaking, to Habakkuk, his servant, and he said, behold, his soul, which is lifted up, is not upright, in him,

but the just, shall, live, by faith, faith, in Hebrew, we say, in other words, God is saying, to Habakkuk, when there will be, difficult times, when there will be, problems, in the history, of the Jewish people, the history, of Israel, the righteous, Hebrew, Israeli, Jewish believer, during those days, he will live, he will live, by faith, and by faithfulness, faithfulness, to the God, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that's the word, tzaddik, tzaddik, is the righteous, the just, not just in himself, but just in God, just in, in the Lord, and he will live, by faith, trusting God, in spite of, persecution, of the Jewish people, during the days, of the Babylonian, captivity, captivity, it is

very, interesting, that this, particular, verse, in Habakkuk, chapter 2, and verse 4, which is really, the theme, of the prophecy, of Habakkuk, is quoted, three times, by the apostle, when he was, sharing, the word of God, with the Romans, with the Galatians, as well as, with the Hebrews, now, we do not know, who wrote, the book of Hebrews, but, we do see, that in the, three, New Testament, New Covenant, letters, that the apostles, quoted Habakkuk, for example, in Romans, chapter 1, and verse 17, the apostle Paul says, for therein, namely, in the gospel, is the righteousness, of God, revealed from faith, to faith, as it is written, and he's quoting, Habakkuk, chapter 2, and verse

4, the just, shall live, by faith, and he's, emphasized, of course, the word, just, that every believer, in the Lord, Jesus, the Lord, Yeshua, the Messiah, justified, and because, we are justified, we are to live, by, faith, and trusting, and living, for the Lord, we today, who are believers, in the Lord, Jesus, the Lord, Yeshua, the Messiah, Paul also, quote, the very same verse, when he wrote, to the Galatians, in chapter 3, there, and in verse 11, he also said, very interesting, he said in verse 11, when he emphasized, in the book of Galatians, justification, he said in verse 11, but that no man is justified, by the law, in the sight of God, it

is evident, Galatians 3, 11, and then he said, for the just, shall live, by faith, and you see, there, he's emphasizing, the word, shall live, see, in Romans, he emphasized, the fact, that we have been, justification, because of faith, in the Messiah, in Galatians, we are now, as believers, to live, for God, because we have been, justified, quoting again, Habakkuk chapter 2, and verse 4, where Habakkuk, had to learn this, from the Lord, that the just, among the people, of Israel, during the days, of the Babylonian, that would come, to judge them, because of their unfaithfulness, to the Lord, that just from among, the Jewish people, will trust God, and live for him, doing, those,

days, when they will be taken, a captive, as well, and notice, the apostle, we do not know, if it is the apostle Paul, in the book of Hebrews, once again, quoting, Habakkuk, chapter 2, and verse 4, in Hebrews chapter 10, and there, notice, in Hebrews chapter 10, is quoting there, the same verse, we read, in verse 37, and 38, for yet a little while, and he, that shall come, will come, and will not tarry, now, chapter, 10, and verse 38, of the book of Hebrews, that just, shall live by faith, again, he is quoting, Habakkuk 2, and verse 4, and there, in the book of Hebrews, There, the apostle, who wrote, to these Hebrew brethren,

who believe, in Yeshua, the Messiah, to them, he is emphasizing, the necessity, of faith, and faithfulness, you notice, there, there are six words, the just, shall live, by faith, Romans chapter 1, just, the just, is emphasized, Galatians chapter 3, shall live, to live, Godly life, is emphasized, and Hebrews chapter 10, by faith, and the Hebrews, needed, to live, their life, by faith, trusting God, as they follow, after Yeshua, the Messiah, and so, you and I, as well today, beloved brothers, and sisters, are exhorted, to trust, our Lord, in spite of, difficult times, that we may face, in this world, these days, these days, so, we find out, the name, Habakkuk, is the writer, is the

prophet, the date, is about, 630, to 600, someone, 620, sometime, there, BC, before the Babylonian, rose to power, and, before they took, our Jewish people, to Babylon, where they cried, by the rivers of Babylon, there, we sat down, and we wept, as we remember, Zion, and then, we find, that the theme, verse, of the whole, prophecy, of Habakkuk, is simply, Habakkuk, chapter 2, and verse 4, and there, behold, his soul, which is lifted up, is not upright, in him, God is saying, to Habakkuk, but, the just, shall live, live, by faith, in Hebrew, , now, it is, in additional, information, about the book, of Habakkuk, the prophecy, of Habakkuk, is this, that this prophecy, is

very unique, very different, you know, usually, when a prophet, rise up, in the days of, the nation of Israel, before the Messiah came, or whether it is, in the days, the Messiah came, Yeshua the Messiah came, in the church age, a prophet, would rise up, and give a message, and he would, thus says the Lord, thus says the Lord, ko amar Adonai, thus says the Lord, in Hebrew, but, Habakkuk does not do so, he is not so much, preaching to the nation, or preaching to Judah, or preaching to Jerusalem, we don't see it so much, in this portion of scripture, but what we see, a few things, that I would like to mention, about Habakkuk,

first of all, he do not speak, to Judah, though he was, a prophet of Judah, but Habakkuk, is really crying, to God, to the God of Israel, and seeking answer, from the Lord, he seeks, an answer, from the God of Israel, because he really, have concern, for his people, for his people, that's why his name, Habakkuk, really, clarified the fact, that he indeed, was embracing, the nation of Israel, the people of Judah, but there were problems, there, that existed, so he was concerned, about his people, secondly, Habakkuk, we find out, that in this, prophecy, that Habakkuk, conversation, with God, a dialogue, with God, he says something, God responds, to him, he asks a question, God

responds, it's like Habakkuk, having a conversation, with the Lord, that's how, the book began, chapter 1, verse 1, the burden, which Habakkuk, the prophet, did see, and notice, how it began, in verse 2, of Habakkuk, chapter 1, O Lord, how long, shall I cry, and thou, will not hear, so he, is crying, to God, he is, seeking, an answer, from Jehovah, from the God, of Israel, he is crying, and he is, seeking, counsel, and answer, from God, on behalf, of his people, Israel, whose condition, was not, good, in those days, days, so not only, that he, doesn't speak, to Judah, but he's, speaking, to God, he's crying, to him, and now, secondly, he has a

dialogue, with God, you will see it, so we find out, now, that in the dialogue, that Habakkuk, has, with the Lord, he, really faced, a dilemma, why a dilemma, is, you notice, that he used, the word, how long, in verse 2, Habakkuk 1, verse 2, how long, Adana, in Hebrew, until then, until when, God, until how long, it will continue, the condition, that exists, today, you know, we, we look at ourselves, today, in the professing church, of our Lord, Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah, and we also, as we know, from Revelation, chapter 3, we live, in the last days, of the church age, of the assembly age, in the days, of the Laodicean, and we can

see, very clearly, that the condition, is, not good, the condition, is actually, very poor, the church, is divided, the church, is broken, into pieces, false teaching, existing, the treatment, of the believers, among each other, is not as healthy, as it should be, and the testimony, of the Lord, Jesus, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is not given, to the world, in the full sense, of the word, as it ought to be, and you and I, are part of it, because we are part, of the assembly, of the ecclesia, Habakkuk, feels the same, he's part of the nation, of Israel, and he's asking, how long, how long, it will continue, so he has a dilemma, and you notice,

he asking, twice, and I'm just going, to highlight it, why things, happening, happening, notice in verse 3, why, does thou, show me, iniquity, and then the Lord, later on, gave him, an answer, and then you notice, a little bit later on, in verse, 12, of, chapter, 1, it's the same thing, he continues, and he really have, a dilemma, and he's asking God, in chapter 1, and a little bit later on, he's asking God, why, notice, the second thing, that he's really asking, why would God, allow other nations, to come, and judge, his own people, because God mentioned, that he will bring, another nation, this is the Babylonian, to fight, or to judge, his own people,

the people of Judah, so he's asking, why, Habakkuk, is really, has a dilemma, that's why he asks, why, God allow his people, to behave, the way they behave, toward one another, and the second why, or the second question, that he has, how is it possible, God, that now, you are going, to bring, other nations, to judge, your own people, the people of Israel, so you see, he's really having a dilemma, that's why, you can see him, asking this question, how long, verse 2, and why, in verse 3, and if you go on, to verse 12 on, he's really puzzled, that God, will allow, another nation, to come, to discipline, his very own people, the people,

of Judah, so the uniqueness, of this book, is that, Habakkuk, not speaking, to Judah, but speaking, to the Lord, Habakkuk, have a, dialogue, with God, direct, conversation, with God, Habakkuk, is facing, a dilemma, that God, allows things, to happen, and he's silent, but then, because, Israel, do not repent, he's going, to bring, another nation, so he has, a second dilemma, and so you can see, how Habakkuk, has much concern, about this, and finally, by way of, the uniqueness, of this book, Habakkuk, was concerned, about, injustice, about, violence, about, in Hebrew, we call it, Hamas, Hamas, simply mean, injustice, unrighteousness, that existed, first of all, among, his own people, the Jewish people, the people of Judah,

people of Israel, and secondly, among the nations, of the world, the Gentile, the Goyim, the nations, of the world, who are, who are treating, God's people, in an injustice, in an unrighteous, way, you notice, that the, word, violence, is mentioned, in, this book, of Habakkuk, more than once, I just want, to highlight that, you can see, that the concern, of Habakkuk, in verse 2, Habakkuk said, O Lord, how long, shall I cry, and thou, will not hear, even cry, out, unto thee, notice, of violence, you see, that word, violence, in the, in the, English, it's come, from the Hebrew word, Hamas, or in other words, it simply means, unrighteousness, or injustice, so, Habakkuk, had, concern,

about the injustice, the Hamas, that was going on, among the people, of God first, you notice, in verse 3, he says, why dost thou, show me iniquity, and cause me, to behold, grievance, for spoiling, and violence, here's the same word, again, Hamas, are before me, he's looking around, and he see, the injustice, that is going on, among his people, and violence, and they don't, treat each other, right, and he was, concerned, and he was, really sad, when he saw that, look a little bit, later on, in the same, first chapter, in verse 9, he's speaking now, about the, Babylonian, who were going, to come, the, Kaladis, the Babylonian, and they were, not different, because there,

it says, they shall come, all for violence, their faces, shall sup, up, up as, the east wind, in other words, here we go, they are going to come, you're going to bring them, and they are not better, they have violence, Hamas, in Hebrew, injustice, as well, chapter 1, and verse 9, if you just, a little bit, turn the page, to chapter 2, and you notice, in verse 8, Habakkuk mentioned, the same word again, notice verse 8, because thou hast spoiled, many nations, all the remnant, of the people, shall spoil thee, because of man's blood, and for the violence, of the land, of the city, and of all, that dwell therein, here is the same word,

Hamas, is mentioned, once again, in Habakkuk, chapter 2, and verse 8, and he mentioned, these, this word, once again, in verse 17, verse 17, of chapter 2, notice, we read, for the violence, of Lebanon, shall cover thee, and the spoil, of beasts, which made them afraid, because of man's blood, and for the violence, of the land, of the city, and of all, that dwell therein, again, notice twice, in Habakkuk 2, verse 17, mentioned the word, Hamas, injustice, violence, violence, so, if we can say, that the, uniqueness, of this book, of Habakkuk, is that, Habakkuk, number one, is not speaking, to Judah, but speaking, to the Lord, the God of Israel, secondly, Habakkuk, has a dialogue,

with the Lord, he received information, and he called him back, he asked back again, and he received, more information, from the Lord, thirdly, Habakkuk, is now, a concern, for the injustice, and the violence, that exists, among, first of all, among the people, of Judah, secondly, among the nations, of the world, and especially, among the nations, that will come, to discipline, the people, of Judah, now, again, beloved brothers, and sisters, think about, that, in scripture, we are exhorted, also, today, and not, to, have an attitude, towards, one another, that will, dishonor, the Lord, you remember, what Yaakov, James, wrote, to the, early, Hebrew Christians, and he's writing, to us, today, in chapter, 3, and verse, 14,

but if ye have, bitter envying, and strife, in your hearts, glory not, and lie not, against the truth, this wisdom, descendeth not, from above, but is, earthly, sensual, devilish, for where, envying, and strife, is, there is, confusion, and every, evil work, but the wisdom, which is, from above, is, first pure, then, peaceable, gentle, and easy, to be, entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, and the fruit, of righteousness, is sown, in peace, of them, that make peace, then, in chapter 4, verse 1, Jacob, James, continued, to say, believers, of the assembly, from whence, come as wars, and fighting among you, come they not, hence, even of your lusts, that war

in your members, ye lust, and have not, ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain, ye fight, and war, and ye have not, because ye ask not, you see, this is, similar to the issue, that existed among, Israel, the nation, our own people, historically, we can see, that in the early days, of the body of Christ, the body of Messiah, it was very similar, the danger, of constantly, having this friction, among, the people, of God, and that is kind of, sad, that this existing, envying, and strife, among God's people, it is not pleasing, to the Lord, even today, in our present, day, I am thinking, of other verses, that we have, in scripture, Peter,

for example, in 1st Peter, chapter 2, we read, and I am just going to, read it in verse 11, we read, 1st Peter 2, and verse 11, Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers, and pilgrims, abstain, from fleshly lust, which war, against the soul, in other words, you know, you have to yourself, to be careful, and all the epistles, there is again, and again, warning, against, as exactly as it happened, in the history of Israel, that there is violence, there is injustice, there is Hamas, among the people of God, and that's why God, is warning us, against this as well, Israel, you remember what we read, in 1st Corinthians 10, God remind us, Apostle Paul,

I should say, remind us, that whatever happened, in Israel's history, is serving to be, an example, for us, all these things, 1st Corinthians 10, and verse 11, now, all these things, happen unto them, for an example, and they are written, for our admonitions, upon whom, the end, of the world, are come, are come, so whatever happened, in Israel's history, ought to teach us, lessons, as believers, in the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, today, who are part, of the assembly, of the ecclesia, now, here we have, just general information, as an introduction, I would like, just to, highlight, before us, all, the outline, of the book, of Habakkuk, of the prophecy, of Habakkuk, in chapter 1, in

verses 1, to 4, Habakkuk, a first burden, before the Lord, because of the violence, among, the people, of Israel, so in chapter 1, verses 1, to 4, Habakkuk, first burden, before the Lord, about the violence, that existed, among the people, of Judah, the people of Israel, then in chapter 1, in verse 5, to 11, the Lord, Jehovah, respond to Habakkuk, and he's saying, to Habakkuk, that he will raise, the Kaladins, to discipline, the people, of Judah, so God, telling him, okay Habakkuk, you see, this condition, existing, among God's people, okay, I will raise, the Kaladins, this is the Babylonian, and as we mentioned, earlier, that the Babylonian, were rising, into power, and God, would raise

them, and he will, use them, as a, vessel, to discipline, his own, people, of Judah, in fact, as I already read, in Daniel chapter, 1, you remember, we read this verse, in verse 1, in the third year, of the reign of Yeroyakim, king of Judah, came Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem, and besieged it, and we read, in verse 2, and the Lord, gave Yeroyakim, king of Judah, into his hand, with part, of the vessels, of the house, of God, God, would raise, the Babylonian, the Kaladins, in Hebrew, the Kasdim, to bring them, to discipline, his very own people, remember, what we read, in the epistle, that Peter, wrote, as well, the judgment, must begin,

at the house, of God, and God, will raise, someone, even the enemies, of God's people, to discipline, his own people, we read, in 1st Peter 4, and verse 17, for the time, is come, the judgment, must begin, at the house, of God, if it will, first begin, at us, what shall be, the end, or what shall, the end, be, of them, that obey, not, the gospel, of God, and if, the righteous, scarcely, be saved, where, shall, the ungodly, and the sinner, appear, this is, 1st Peter, chapter 4, and verses 17, and 18, you can see, beloved brothers, and sisters, that in the same way, that God dealt, with his earthly people, the people of Israel,

God in the same way, deal with his heavenly people, the ecclesia, the assembly, the church, God has no respect, of person, if in the church age, we are, living, in such a condition, that there is, as we read here, violence, and, if there is a life, of unrighteousness, of injustice, first, among the people of God, then, God will deal, with his own people, doesn't matter, what dispensation, or, or period of time, or, economia, we live in, God will deal, with his own people, in every age, he wants us, to turn to him, in repentance, and, confess, and, and acknowledge, our weakness, and our failure, so we read, in the outline, chapter 1, verses 1 to

4, Habakkuk first burden, before the Lord, chapter 1, verses 5 to 11, the Lord responds, to Habakkuk, a concern, and Habakkuk's, a burden, then chapter 1, verses 12 to 17, Habakkuk, have a second burden, it is because, when God said to him, I will raise, the Kasdim, the Kaladins, the Babylonian, Habakkuk, is having another dilemma, and now, he's asking God, how is it possible, God, if you are going, to, judge your people, well, you're going to bring, a nation, that is worse, than your people, to judge, your own people, he had a second dilemma, so, he asked, the Lord, again, and so, now, in chapter 2, verses, 1 to 5, Habakkuk, is waiting, and watching,

for an answer, from the Lord, and as we read, in chapter 2, verse 1, we read, there, I will stand, upon my watch, and set, me upon, the tower, he was going, to watch, to see, what God, is going, to do, if he said, that he's going, to raise, the Kaladins, the Kasdim, the Babylonian, is there, watching, and the Lord, had to reveal him, a vision, then, in chapter 2, Habakkuk 2, verses 6, to 20, the Lord, responding, to Habakkuk, with five, woes, of judgment, which he pronounced, against, the Kasdim, the Kaladins, the Babylonian, yes, he will bring, the Babylonian, against his people, Israel, but, no, they cannot do, as they please, they cannot do,

to his people, as they please, God, in response, he will, judge, and he will bring, woe, upon the, Kaladins, the Kasdim, who have dealt, treacherously, with the people, of, Judah, this is, in chapter 2, verses 6, to 20, and then in chapter 3, this is the last chapter, of Habakkuk, in chapter 3, verses 1, to 16, Habakkuk is praying, this is a wonderful chapter, beloved brothers, and sisters, I wish the Lord, will help us, to learn, from Habakkuk, to pray, for his people, to, say to the Lord, Lord in wrath, remember mercy, mercy, you know, this is so beautiful, I often think, of how wonderful, it is, to pray, for the people, of God, yes,

we are to pray, for Israel, as well, today, for God, chosen people, and ask God, to, seek, the welfare, and the restoration, of Israel, but we also, beloved brothers, and sisters, as believers, who are part, of the assembly, we are called, to pray, for, the assembly, the believers, wherever, they are, it is so wonderful, to see, the apostle Paul, how, he is often, pray, for the assemblies, for example, in Ephesians, we read in chapter 1, verse 15, wherefore I also, after I heard, of your faith, in the Lord Jesus, and love, unto all the saints, cease not, to give thanks, for you, making mention, of you, in my prayer, Shaul Paul, was a man, of

prayer, he prayed, for the believers, in our Lord, Jesus, our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah, notice in chapter 3, of Ephesians, verse 13, wherefore I desire, that he faint not, at my tribulation, for you, which is your glory, for this cause, notice Shaul Paul, saying to the believers, at Ephesus, for this cause, I bow my knees, unto the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, of our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah, of whom, the whole family, in heaven, and in earth, is named, Paul, was a man, of prayer, Paul, Shaul Paul, always, prayed, for the, people of God, and we also, need, to learn, to pray, for the people of God, today, as Habakkuk, prayed, for the people,

of Judah, the people, of Israel, this is so, important, Paul, in Colossians, chapter 1, was giving thanks, for God's people, and praying, verse 12, it says, giving thanks, unto the Father, which has made us, meet, to be partakers, of the inheritance, of the saints, in light, and he's, kind of, praying, and giving thanks, to God, on behalf, of God's people, what an amazing, way, in which, the apostle, Paul, was praying, it says, in Colossians 1, verse 9, for this cause, we also, since the, the day, we heard it, do not cease, to pray, for you, and to desire, that ye, might be filled, with the knowledge, of his will, in all wisdom, and spiritual, understanding,

and he said, he continues, that ye, might walk, worthy of the Lord, unto all, a pleasing, being faithful, in every good work, and increase, in the knowledge, of God, God, you see, Shaul, Paul, like, Habakkuk, prayed, for God's people, never to pray, against, God's people, but always, to pray, for, God's people, this is, essential, beloved, brothers, and sisters, one more, verse, in Romans, chapter 12, the apostle, is exhorting, the believers, there, to pray, now, this is, interesting, because, you see, how, what a man, of prayer, Shaul, Paul, was, we read, in verse, 12, of Romans, rejoicing, in hope, a patient, in tribulation, continue, continuing, instant, in prayer, as, Paul, is mentioning, the essential, need, of

prayer, prayer, so, this is, in chapter 3, verses 1, to 16, Habakkuk, is praying, and the conclusion, of the book of Habakkuk, with an outline, is, Habakkuk 3, verses 17, to 19, the confidence, of Habakkuk, that he has confidence, in the Lord, and there we find, Habakkuk, is so beautiful, there, he said, although the fig tree, shall not blossom, and so on, and yet, he said in verse 18, yet, I will rejoice, in the Lord, I will joy, in the God, of my salvation, notice what a, confident, the apostle, Paul, had in, I should say, what a confidence, the Habakkuk, had, in the God, of Israel, what an amazing, an example, that he have been,

and notice he says, I, yet, I will rejoice, in the Lord, I will join, the God, of my salvation, that reminds us, of Peter, as well, who loved the Lord, Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah, he said, in 1st Peter 1, and verse 8, whom having not, seen ye love, in whom, though now, ye see him not, ye, yet, believing, ye rejoice, with joy, unspeakable, and full, of glory, so beloved brothers, and sisters, here we have, as a, an introduction, to the book, of Habakkuk, chapter 1, verse 1, and verse 2, a, which is, the introduction, to the book, of Habakkuk, let me just, please, share with you, the first, verses, verse 1, and verse 2, a,

you notice, in verse 1, we find, that Habakkuk, had a burden, the burden, which Habakkuk, the prophet, did see, again, the word, for burden, come from, the Hebrew word, Masah, and the word, Masah, simply means, the load, Habakkuk, was carrying a load, the load, and the load, was, regarding, the state, of his own, beloved nation, the nation, of Israel, whom he loved, and his name, Habakkuk, represents, his, embracing, he is really, the embracer, of Israel, he loves his people, and he is embracing them, and have concern, for their, spiritual welfare, in a time, of decline, but then, you notice, he is asking, in verse 2a, how, oh Lord, how long, shall I cry, and thou,

will not hear, notice that, how long, shall I cry, and thou, will not hear, in other words, God seemed to be silent, silent, when Habakkuk, was living, among, the people, of Israel, the condition, was, not good, was poor, and Habakkuk, was concerned, because he was crying, and he was crying, the Hebrew word, for cry here, is Shavati, I was really, crying, so, strong, I was really, I had such a burden, and I'm crying, and crying, Shavati, and Shavati, but God, Lord, Jehovah, you, do, not, hear, and so, the word here, how long, comes from the Hebrew word, Ad, Anna, until when, Lord, how long, will it take, and you still, do not come, with an

answer, you don't respond, well, you remember, that a psalmist, of old, in the history, the history, of Israel, did, ask the same thing, in Psalm 13, we read, Ad Anna, how long, will thou forget me, O Lord, verse 1, forever, how long, will thou hide, thy face, from me, how long, verse 2, shall I take counsel, in my soul, having sorrow, in my heart daily, how long, shall mine enemy, be exalted, over me, this is the psalmist, of Israel, David, the psalmist, the sweet, psalmist, of Israel, he himself, also, was crying, to the God, of Israel, on behalf, of the nation, and on behalf, of his own, condition, his own need, four times, in Psalm,

13, verses 1, and 2, David, says, how long, how long, will thou forget me, how long, will thou hide, thy face, for me, how long, shall I take, counsel, in my soul, how long, shall mine enemies, be exalted, over me, Adana, Adana, how long, Lord, can I take it, Psalm 13, verses 1, and 2, listen to, Psalm 74, there, we read in verses, 9, and 10, again, the psalmist, of Israel, this is, Asaf, at this time, he said, in verses, 9, and 10, we see, not our signs, there is no more, any prophet, neither is there, among us, any that knoweth, how long, oh God, how long, Adana, shall the, adversary, reproach, shall the, enemy,

bless him, thy name, forever, so, again, not only, David, on behalf of the nation, and on behalf of himself, cry to God, asking how long, then, Asaf, asking God, how long, will that continue on, and then, Habakkuk, in Habakkuk, chapter 1, in our chapter, he himself, asking, oh Lord, how long, shall I cry, and thou, will not, hear, in other words, if God, does not, respond, to the call, of the Lord, and you know, brothers and sisters, we also, sometimes, feel like this, today, in the days, of the assemblies, days, we also, feel a time, the condition, in the world, today, that is existing, we pray, sometime, we pray, for our family, we pray, for

the salvation, of our friends, and our enemies, we pray, for the, the certain, certain circumstances, in our life, problems, that exist, maybe health issues, maybe things, that are going on, and we cry, Lord, how can we continue on, how long, how long, and sometimes, it seems like, the Lord Jesus, the Lord Yeshua, doesn't come immediately, with an answer, but eventually, we know, from Habakkuk, that God, did come, with an answer, and his answer, was really severe, at first, because judgment, must begin, at the house, of God, so, God, does not, want us, to neglect, to continue, to pray, that's why, Paul, says, continue, in prayer, pray, without, ceasing, always, praying, we find, in the epistles,

that we read, and then, one more verse, in the book, of Revelation, in chapter 6, this is, during, the tribulation, days, of course, the assembly, the church, will be, already, raptured, before, the tribulation, will begin, here, we see, during, during, the tribulation, the saints, of Israel, in particular, and saints, from among, the gentile world, who will, who will, be living here, but also, the, when the seals, is open, and the judgment, are falling down, upon, this world, we see, that even, with the judgment, are falling, we see, that the people, of God, cry, loud, voice, and, seeking, for, the Lord, to make, an end, of what's, going on, in this world, notice, we read, about,

the, fifth, seal, that is, being, opened, in Revelation, chapter 6, during the tribulation, period, verse 9, and when he had opened, the fifth, seal, I saw, under the altar, the souls, of them, for the testimony, which, they had held, these are the martyrs, who died, for the testimony, of the Messiah, during the tribulation, period, and we find out, that they cried, now John, of course, see them now, they are, under the altar, there, and he said, they were already slain, they were killed, they were taken out of here, but their souls, are crying, on behalf of their people, the people of Israel, and the remnant, of Israel, the nations, of the world, that is experiencing,

tribulation, and we read, in verse 10, and they cried, with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost, thou not judge, and avenge, our blood, on them, that dwell, on the earth, you see that, they died, for the testimony, for the testimony, of Yeshua, because they, came to trust, in him, and they died, they were, martyrs, and now, because they were, martyred, and now, they've been taken, to glory, and from there, they are crying, to the, to the Lord, and asking him, you are holy, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge, and avenge, our blood, on them, when they died, by the enemies, of Israel, by the

antichrist, by the counterfeit messiah, by those, who oppose, the people, who will live here, or will be here, during the tribulation, and the persecution, will be severe, and so, from heaven, they would cry, the martyrs, on behalf, of the nation, but also, those, that killed them, ones, that avenge, in other words, the ones, that dwell, on the earth, they wanted, they wanted, in a sense, they asked the Lord, how long, you're going to allow, Lord, you allow, those, that killed us, that you know, as it says here, avenge our blood, on them, that dwell on the earth, those that brought, suffering, and persecution, upon the saints, who would live, during the tribulation, here in this

world, and some of them, will die, because, they will follow, the Lord, Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah, during the tribulation period, now brothers, and sisters, this is the introduction, to the prophecy, to the prophecy, of Habakkuk, and as we began, in Habakkuk, chapter 1, verses 1, and 2a, the burden, which Habakkuk, the prophet, did see, O Lord, how long, shall I cry, and thou, will not, hear, and, here we have, the first message, in the book of Habakkuk, as an introduction, and the Lord willing, will continue, with the study of Habakkuk, one verse at a time, one chapter at a time, we'll finish, the whole three chapters, of the prophecy, of Habakkuk, the embracer, of Israel,

may the Lord, bless his word, and encourage, our hearts, as we continue, today, to learn, from the word of God, and follow, after our Lord, Jesus, our Lord Yeshua, and the Messiah, can we say, Amen to that?