The Coming of the Lord
December 6, 2021
Commentary
Habakkuk chapter 3 reveals what happens when we stop complaining and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through prayer. The truth is prayer always changes us, not God. Having had his eyes turned to God (Hab. 2:20), the prophet now responds with a prayer. It is the mountain top destination of a journey that began in a valley of distress. Habakkuk’s attitude changed because He went back into God’s Word and saw things through the eyes of faith and not the eyes of the flesh. Even though the prophecy he had involved the judgment and destruction of Judah, the prophet was not discouraged or defeated. He knew that ultimately, the Babylonians would be destroyed, Israel would be exalted, and God’s glory would fill the earth.
Habakkuk describes the coming of the Lord like the rising of the sun (vv. 3-6). Teman and Mount Paran are locations in Edom, east of Israel, the direction of the sun’s rising (v. 3). The Lord comes with splendor and brightness (vv. 3-4) covering the skies and filling the earth with his praise. We do not see God’s power and brightness at its full strength because there is a veil between us, like the sun and the atmosphere. Pestilence goes before him, and plague follows after; they are both in subservience (v. 5). He is the measure of reality. Nations, mountains, and hills shake before Him, but He lasts forever (v. 6). Next the imagery shifts to remind us of God’s miraculous deliverance of his people. Cushan refers to those who dwelt west of the Red Sea, with Midian being those who dwelt East of it (v. 7). Habakkuk asks if God was angry at the rivers (the Nile and the Jordan) and the sea (the Red Sea) (v. 8). The answer is no. God’s anger was against the Egyptians and the Canaanites. He turned the Nile to blood and parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River to bring judgement against Israel’s enemies. The Lord is depicted as a mightier warrior, an archer riding in a chariot (vv. 8-9) bringing salvation to his people and judgement to their foes.
Application
Take some time today to mediate on the duel nature of God’s salvation and judgement throughout history.
Habakkuk 3:1– 9 (NET)
1 This is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet:
2 Lord, I have heard the report of what you did; I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished. In our time repeat those deeds; in our time reveal them again. But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy!
3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor has covered the skies, the earth is full of his glory.
4 His brightness will be as lightning; a two-pronged lightning bolt flashing from his hand. This is the outward display of his power.
5 Plague will go before him; pestilence will march right behind him.
6 He took his battle position and shook the earth; with a mere look he frightened the nations. The ancient mountains disintegrated; the primeval hills were flattened. His are ancient roads.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan overwhelmed by trouble; the tent curtains of the land of Midian were shaking.
8 Was the Lord mad at the rivers? Were you angry with the rivers? Were you enraged at the sea? Such that you would climb into your horse-drawn chariots, your victorious chariots?
9 Your bow is ready for action; you commission your arrows. Selah. You cause flash floods on the earth’s surface.