Habakkuk 3
(1) Intro
This is one of Habakkuk’s prayers in the form of a highly emotional poem.
(2) God, Renew Your Work
Existing One, I’ve heard the report about You, and I stand in awe of your work. Revive Your work and make it known today like it used to be. Remember to show mercy in the midst of this turmoil.
(3) God Approaches
God came from Teman [a region named after Esau’s grandson whose name means “south”]. The Sacred One came from Mount Paran [a wilderness south of Palestine]. His splendor stretched across the entire universe. The whole world was filled with adoration for Him. His radiance was like the break of dawn, and rays flashed from His hands, where His power is hidden. Disease struck before He comes, and a trail of firey sparks followed behind Him. He stood in place to assess the world, and the nations trembled as He looked at them. The mountains that existed since the beginning of time were shattered, and the ancient hills bowed low. His ways last forever. I noticed that the tents in Cushan [location unknown] were under distress, as tent curtains trembled all throughout Midian [desert north of Arabian peninsula].
(8) God Conquered Egypt for Israel…
[referencing Moses’s parting of the sea]
Did the Existing One get mad at the rivers? Was it Your anger against the sea that caused You to ride in on Your horses and chariots of salvation? You unsheathed Your bow, and the arrows of Your words were spoken.
You split the ground open with rivers. The mountains caught a glimpse of you and shivered. Then a downpour swept in, and the depths of the sea uttered its voice, lifting its hands up high. The sun and moon stayed in their places yet faded away at the light of Your arrows—they faded away as Your spear flashed by. Full of anger, You marched through the region and trampled its nations. You pushed forward to rescue Your people—Your Chosen One. You struck the head of Evil’s household, leaving him exposed from his bottom to his neck. You took his own spears and used them to impale the head of his household—right through the head. His houshold stormed in trying to break us up, all excited like those who secretly feed on the oppressed—but You stomped down on the water with Your horses, making the waters swell beneath You.
(16) …But Israel will Be Conquered
As I heard all of this taking place, my stomach lurched. The sound of it made my voice quiver. Now decay creeps into my bones and I tremble, quietly waiting for the day of despair to come when others will invade us. The fig tree won’t be blossoming, and there won’t be any fruit on the vines. The olive tree will fail, and the farmland won’t produce any food. The livestock will disappear from their enclosures, and there won’t be any more cattle in the stalls. Yet despite all this, I will celebrate the Existing One. I’ll still show my gladness to the God who rescued me. The Existing One is the boss, and He is my source of strength. He made my feet like a deer’s so I can walk on mountain ridges.
This chapter is for the overseer and is to be accompanied by music.
