Monday, October 30, 2006

Habakkuk's Concerto

My good friend Natalie Elizabeth (or E. Natalie as I have been reminded in her comment) has posted something new on her blog! As far as I'm concerned, Di is her name. Now that's news! She's actually more consistent than Brodie has been lately. Her latest post entitled Habakkuk's Concerto should send us leafing through the minor prophets to this little book so we can more fully appreciate Natalie Elizabeth's post.

Here it is:

Habakkuk's Concerto
2006. E. Natalie Johnson


MOVEMENT ONE
‘Why?'
‘How Long?'
Cry, and worry.
Wrestle with questions beyond you.
With eyes wide accuse God of indifference.
‘Do You not care’?
‘Do You not listen’?
‘Will You not save’?
MOVEMENT TWO
The answer ~
No explanation,
A Revelation ~
‘Watch and be amazed’.
Helpless.
Hungry.
Hope.
Faith in God’s Promise ~
Rest on The Rock.
Watch.
Linger.
Wait.
Hold to Assurances of The Holy One.
MOVEMENT THREE
Justification.
Meaning.
Purpose.
Righteousness not your own.
Grace.
Glory.
Presence.
See what The Everlasting has done, is doing, will do.
Power.
Praise.
Strength.
Counting on God’s Rule and reign.
FINALE
Sing.
Dance.
Feel the coolness of a peaceful joy.
The enemy is carried away on the four winds.

posted by E. Natalie Johnson @ 11:10 AM
David's Note: Now go and read the book of Habakkuk! Don't worry about the pronunciation of his name. Just read his book. Wouldn't it be terrible to arrive in heaven, converse with Habakkuk and be forced to admit that we never read his book?
Thanks, Natalie Elizabeth!
NOTE: Please read E. Natalie's comment to better enable you to enjoy Habakkuk's book!

3 comments:

  1. I have been guilty of this more times than one David. Questioning God.
    This is good that you posted this.
    You are right about that it would be a shame meeting Habakkuk and not knowing much about his writings.
    I for one am going to now read it more carefully...From Terry

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  2. After reading this post, I sat down and read the book of Habakkuk, and truly enjoyed it. It's not a book that is discussed very often, so it was nice to dive into something new!
    As for the pronunciation- when my sister and I were little and in Sunday School we had to sing a song about the books of the Old Testament, and every time we'd get to Habakkuk, she would pronounce it "Have-A-Chuck"!

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  3. Note to readers: A musical Concerto (con-cher-toe) has 3 parts. The book of Habakkuk has 3 chapters. What I gleaned from studying Habakkuk arranged itself in 3 progressions of thought, with a beautiful ending. I encourage you to read chapter 3 in Peterson's paraphrase 'The Message' while listening to a piece of symphonic music, such as Ennio Morricone's 'Gabriel's Oboe', an Adagio arranged for the 1986 film 'The Mission'. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have heard. Peterson's version of chapter 3 verse 1 indicates that it's a prayer to be read along with an orchestra. People ought to pronounce Habakkuk, or Concerto any way they feel comfortable, just as David feel comfortable reversing the name of the blogger who wrote the poem (-;

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