Disaster Relief
Though the fig-tree shall not blossom and the fruit is not on the vines, the work of the olive fails and the fields make no food; the flock is cut off from the fold and no herd is in the stalls, yet I will exult in YHWH, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18
Exult – The prophet Habakkuk must have been a secret economist. Of course, his prediction wasn’t very favorable. Just look at the disaster. No figs. No olives. Crop failure. Loss of animals. Everything necessary for an agricultural society to survive fails. That’s like telling us that the banks collapse, the stock market drops 6000 points, the oil supply dries up and unemployment reaches 60%. In true prophetic form, Habakkuk announces a celebration, exactly the opposite of any “rational” man’s response. But Habakkuk wasn’t a rational man, was he? He was a prophet. His reality was the character of God, not the condition of the world. And he tells us that it’s time to party.
The Hebrew verb ‘alaz describes rejoicing, jubilation, and celebration. It is especially applied to celebrating God. This isn’t a party about the conditions of the economy. They are dismal, no doubt about it. Habakkuk is not focused on the circumstances of present-day life. He is celebrating the eternal power, majesty and purposes of YHWH. In other words, no matter what our conditions are, being God’s people is worth it all.
‘alaz has an interesting pictograph. Ayin-Lamed-Zayin is the picture “to experience control cut off.” Wow! This hardly seems like a picture of celebration. This seems like a picture of catastrophe. But we have the picture upside-down, don’t we? It is only when we experience loss of control that God is able to demonstrate His care and compassion. As long as the world works the way we expect it to, we are more than likely to put God behind the glass that says, “Break in case of emergency.” The Hebrew view is just the opposite. We celebrate when things fall apart because we are known by the One who cares.
Carl Jung used to tell his patients that moments of loss in their lives were the perfect environment for real change. When a patient reported losing a job, Jung was joyful since this crisis could precipitate serious personal introspection and development. But when a patient reported being newly hired, Jung despaired, commenting that this apparently positive change could prevent real personal change. Jung seemed to have a very Hebraic view. So often our focus is on all those things that we believe we must control in order to have life the way we want it. Fortunately, God is good. He removes our seductive crutches in order for us to find Him. He alone is our rescue and deliverance.
Perhaps your current crisis is God’s engineering attempt to remove the false foundation of your hope. Maybe what you and I need is ‘alaz, right now in the midst of the collapse of our way of imaging the world. Hooray! God’s in charge.
Topical Index: exult, ‘alaz, control, Habakkuk 3:17-18
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“Carl Jung used to tell his patients that moments of loss in their lives were the perfect environment for real change.”
Hi Skip,
Well I can certainly relate to the Jungian view of loss; having lost my job, my house, and my life at home with my two young children over the last two years.
The experience caused me considerable fear and anxiety and created a perfect environment for real change in my relationship with God.
In fact, from the beginning I chose to take what for me was a Jungian view of the “great” life and tried to accept what was given as a gift from God.
The most difficult aspect of the whole affair for me was the negative effect it had on my relationship with the kids, but things are much better now.
My wife tends to have a lot more anxiety about financial security than I do, so when I’m not working it causes her a lot of stress.
And I have a responsibility to help support the children, so I hope to find work soon.
At the same time, I tend to walk my dog Max, pray, and read books related to the Hebrew worldview whether I’m working or not 🙂
We prefer not to enter into a “crisis situation.” The “status quo” suits us just fine. I like “normal.” I like “boring.” I like “quiet.” These are my “preferences.” However, I have found (prepare to be shocked..)- I am not in charge. G-d is. Yes, G-d is large and He is is charge. Me -little, G-d -big.
And yes, it took a “crisis” situation to “discover” this. Live long enuf and you too will have your “day of trouble”, just like Job. (Well, hopefully not that bad..) Job really was put through the ringer.
What we need to ask (we are allowed to think.. right?) is “why?”. May I question YHWH? Amazingly enough- yes, I may. He (assuredly) can handle anything we throw at Him. Have at it.
Feeling better? Oh, still not done? I’ll wait… We (all) will find (in the end), G-d IS who He says He is. He declared Himself to Moses (Exodus 34.6) “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,”
Do you, (yes, I’m talking to you) find this to be so? Is He? If you do not know this to be true (and I’m talking “know” this), your “day” is coming. If you are His, belong to Him, and call upon His name in the “day of trouble”, an “amen” (it is so) is on its way.
“Through” the waters. “Through” the flood. “Through” the fire. “Through” the storm. Our G-d reveals Himself to be who He claims to be in our “crisis” situations. The next question is: why can’t we realize His presence during the calm? Why does it take a storm?
I suspect many came to the knowledge of their need for a Saviour through a crisis situation. I know that is my experience and it would appear that I have drawn nearer to Him through “time like these” (an OLD song). Others, however, appear to grow more distant from God when a tragedy strikes. This seems to back up the claim of the Asian view of crisis as danger or opportunity. Some turn to materialistic gods to help them…substances, money/spending, or withdrawing into self-pity or anger.
The end result is positive and the truth of Romans 8:28 is made plain when we view the troubles as a “gift” from God to cause us to run to Him as the only help we truly have in life. Then we are able to give thanks in “all things”.
This message was perfect timing. I had been worried about not finding a job, find cheaper housing, and how to cut back even more. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Diane can not lean on her own understanding!”
yes, Mary- what a “revelation” it what when I found out (the hard way!), “trouble” is one of my “needs.” I know this sounds “nuts”, but it is true. “Trouble” serves the purposes of G-d. I need trouble, trials and tribulation in my life. (No, I’m not crazy-).
“The strength is in the struggle.” It is true- “no pain, no gain.” Please believe me when I say, I am not “into” pain. I don’t like it, it hurts. But as Yeshua said, (when will we ever pay attention to His words?), in this world you will have tribulation. – And let us not “forget” either.. -“but- be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!”
If this life in Christ was supposed to be a walk in the park (an artificial garden, something created as a distraction and entertainment) there would have been no cruel cross. If we were meant to just “park” on the bench of the church building and wait for God to rapture us out of all the chaos, there would be no need for His strength or endurance. It doesn’t take much effort or energy to just sit around. But it takes the strength of a mighty King, the longsuffering of One who has endured scorn and shame to show us the Way and keep us on the right path. He is the One to whom we give all honor regardless of what passing situation we find ourselves in.
Hello Everyone,
This post has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but didn’t know where else to say what I want to share with you.
If anyone (besides me : ) ) has been confused about the Torah and where it/He is in our lives, here is a website with video teaching by scholars who have really cleared it up for me! The site is this:
http://www.torahteachers.com/karl-coke-what-is-torah/
My husband and I knew Dr. Coke personally, and studied some under his teachings, when we lived in North Carolina in the early ’90s. Just before we had to move north to be near family, we were attending his class on teaching the Hebrew Alef-Bet.
As I said, if any of you have doubts or misconceptions concerning Torah, please visit Dr. Coke’s site.
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoyed listening to Dr. Coke and Dr. Garr speaking on the Torah.
It was a very simple, clear, introduction with far reaching implications IMO.
In my view, this should be taught as part of our national education standards.
From an academic perspective.
Michael, it is so good that you appreciated Dr. Coke and Dr. Garr speaking on the Torah.
There are several more video presentations allegedly available to view, but I could not get them. Each time I tried, it would go back to #1 or #2.
I sent an email to Dr. Coke telling him how I was blessed by his and Dr. Garr’s teachings. His ministry is worldwide, so it may take awhile for it to reach him. He doesn’t know that my husband went Home two years ago, and I wanted to advise him of that also.
Praise be unto God for his men who have taken up the call to teach! I thank Him for our own Skip, also.
So often I am reminded of songs as I read Skip’s articles. I’d like to share one of my favorites here. Kris Huston wrote and recorded the “Enter In” CD in 2006.
“Trust” is the song I hear stirring in my head and heart today. It was recorded with the third grade class of a Lutheran school. The pennywhistle and congas give this track a wonderful feel–like a celebration song in one of the “Star Wars” movies.
The first verse is about trust, then the second verse inserts “turn to” the Lord. The third verse is “I will sing to the Lord.” It’s a great reminder of how we need to fully rely upon the G-d in all our ways!
I will trust in the Lord
Even when burdens weigh me down
Even when sorrows come
I will trust in the Lord
He is a stronghold, He is a refuge
He holds the righteous in His right hand
In just a little while, evil will be no more
Hold on, hallelujah!
You can hear it here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/krishuston
Also, Psalm 68:19,20
“Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears our burden, the G-d who is our salvation. G-d is to us a G-d of deliverances; and to G-d the LORD belong escapes from death.”
Dear Skip,
Thank you for today’s word – but I would hardly use anything from Carl Jung to illustrate any Godly concept!
Ida
Amazingly, truth is truth no matter what the source, right? Even the Enemy sometimes speaks the truth (e.g. Genesis 3).
Hi Ida,
Well I think to say Jung’s work was devoid of “any Gody concept” is a bit too critical, but I would agree that Jung has some very wierd ideas 🙂