Habakkuk 3

Habakkuk 3:1

Habakkuk 3:1. Shigionoth is the name o[ a certain poetic metre, and this prayer of Habakkuk was composed in accordance with that.

Habakkuk 3:2

Habakkuk 3:2. Habakkuk acknowledges the threatening predictions of the Lord and declares that he is dreading them. Revive thy work is rendered “preserve alive” in the margin which expresses the thought in the original. It means that while the Lord must execute vengeance upon the wicked yet He is implored to temper justice with mercy.

Habakkuk 3:3

Habakkuk 3:3. God came from Teman. This place was near enough to Sinai to be associated with the giving of the law. It was through this document that God came to the people of Israel. Selah is a musical and poetic term and means a pause in the composition. It is not to be pronounced but only observed as a punctuation mark in literature.

Habakkuk 3:4

Habakkuk 3:4. Horns is a figurative symbol of power and glory and it is ascribed to God.

Habakkuk 3:5

Habakkuk 3:5. God controls pestilences and all the elements of the earth. If such forces are needed to carry out His plans they will be used.

Habakkuk 3:6

Habakkuk 3:6. Measured is defined “to shake” in the lexicon. That agrees with the verse in general which describes the Lord as having complete control of the earth.

Habakkuk 3:7

Habakkuk 3:7. Cushan or Cush refers to Ethiopia, a country near Egypt, and the prophet saw the Lord in control of that territory. Curtains is defined “A hanging (as tremulous).” The sentence denotes that the Midianttes were caused to tremble by the might of the Lord as they beheld its manifestations against their weakness.

Habakkuk 3:8

Habakkuk 3:8. The questions asked in this verse should have a negative answer. God has controlled these parts of the earth and many times has disrupted their usual functions, but it was for the purpose ot showing His wrath against the evil Inhabitants. Horses and chariots signify the forces of war and the Lord is always at war with evil influences that He might effect salvation for the righteous.

Habakkuk 3:9

Habakkuk 3:9. The power and greatness of God, whether in war or peace, is the subject of this verse. Bow made naked. A bow was an instrument of war and to be made naked denotes that it is uncovered and ready for action. Oaths of the tribes. God had sworn that he would protect the tribes of Israel against their many toes, Selah is explained at verse 3. Cleave the earth with rivers. One of the most wonderful and artistic works of God is the river system ot the earth. These streams of water ever flowing on and on, century after century, through rich or infertile countries, until they reach at last the sea, demonstrates the unchanging law of gravitation. And it all adds up to the conclusion that the God of the universe is all·wise and all-powerful.

Habakkuk 3:10

Habakkuk 3:10. The inanimate things of creation are said to praise the Lord because he controls them by the dictates of His will.

Habakkuk 3:11

Habakkuk 3:11. This refers specifically to the event recorded in Joshua 10. Arrows and spears are instruments of war, and when mentioned figuratively indicate God’s power to overcome an conditions that might be a hindrance to the divine will.

Habakkuk 3:12

Habakkuk 3:12. Didst is past tense in form but means that God is always able to overcome the heathen nations in whatever land they may be dwelling.

Habakkuk 3:13

Habakkuk 3:13. The events of rescue mentioned here are both history and prophecy. God redeemed his people from Egypt and promised to rescue them from Babylon.

Habakkuk 3:14

Habakkuk 3:14. This verse has special reference to the events in Egypt when the children of Israel were about to be delivered. The pronouns are used in a rather indefinite manner; they stand for Egypt or the Lord or tor his people. The thought is that God overthrew all forces of Egypt that had been arrayed against Israel.

Habakkuk 3:15

Habakkuk 3:15. This event is recorded in Exodus 14.

Habakkuk 3:16

Habakkuk 3:16. When I heard is said for the general report that was heard of the marvelous passage through the Red Sea which followed the judgments upon the Egyptians. The trembling and quivering denotes the impression that was made upon the nations when they heard about the dreadful occurrence. (See Joshua 2: 8·11.)

Habakkuk 3:17

Habakkuk 3:17. The misfortunes described in this verse were sometimes brought upon a country as a punishment for the sins of its people. He even sometimes visited his own people with like chastisements.

Habakkuk 3:18

Habakkuk 3:18. These judgments did not weaken the faith or the prophet in his God.

Habakkuk 3:19

Habakkuk 3:19. Habakkuk gives honor to God as being the source of alt strength and success. The chapter ends with a reference to rhythmic measures similar to the term used in its beginning.