Habakkuk 3:3 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Teman was a city in the land of Edom: Jeremiah 49:7 and Mount Paran near to Mount Sinai, for when the Israelites left Sinai, we are told that they came into the desert of Paran. Numbers 10:12. Indeed, from the account of Moses, it should seem to be one and the same, or so near each other as not to be separated at any great distance; for he describes the Lord's coming from it, as Habakkuk hath done in this chapter; from whence it is probable the Prophet borrowed the account. See Deuteronomy 33:2. The opening of this verse is a most blessed and glorious description of that visible display the Lord made at Mount Sinai, when he came down in a cloud. See Exodus 19:20. Here it was he gave the law. But who was this glorious person? I speak with reverence, as one treading on holy ground, when I say I humbly conceive not the person of God the Father: neither of God the Son, as God only; for we are told in scripture, that no man haft seen God at any time. But certain it is, that upon this, as well as many other occasions, there was a visible manifestation of divine glory. I therefore humbly conceive, that it was the display of the God-man in our nature; for the same scripture tells us, that the only begotten Son, who lay in the bosom of the Father, he math declared him. John 1:18. And Reader! who so proper to give the law, as He who with the Father and the Holy Ghost made the law; and as GodMan-Mediator in after ages fulfilled it? Who could give the Sermon on the Mount as He who gave the Law on the Mount, and was, and is the sum and substance of the whole? Matthew 5:1, etc. I detain the Reader one moment longer, just to make a remark on the word Selah, in the midst of this verse, which is found three times in this Chapter, and seventy times in the Psalms. The opinions of learned and godly men are so divided concerning its real meaning, that it is extremely difficult to determine about it. Some have concluded that it is a note of admiration, as if to say, take notice; and others have translated it, verily; forever. Amen. But I must not omit to mention one writer of the name of Paschi, who wrote an express treatise upon the word, to show that it is a name of our God. I have just noticed it in this cursory manner, but shall not enlarge. If the latter opinion be well founded, it makes it more interesting than any. We have to lament that the certainty is not discoverable.