CRITICAL NOTES.]
Habakkuk 3:7.] Neighbouring nations tremble at his judgments. Saw] in vision.
HOMILETICS
THE MEASURED INHERITANCE.—Habakkuk 3:6-7
These words describe the effects of God’s approach. He stood like a mighty warrior in his conquering career. The earth trembled, and primeval mountains dissolved into dust. We take it in reference to Canaan. As Joshua conquered and divided the land, so God measured and portioned it out to his people.
I. The inheritance measured. He “measured the earth.” He measured the whole, and the portion for each tribe. It was no scramble, but appointment by lot and rule. He “divided them an inheritance by line” (Psalms 78:55). God measures the earth by bounds and borders to the various nations that dwell upon it. “Thou hast set all the borders of the earth” (Psalms 74:17). Lands and seas, continents and islands, are mapped out by him. He defined the shape and weighed the elements of the world. In righteous judgment he observes the ways, and fixes the bounds of man’s habitations (Acts 17:26). He ordains our present lot, and will fix our final destiny.
II. The inheritance gained. “He beheld, and drove asunder the nations.” Notice—
1. The ease by which it was gained. He stood in the midst of his glory, without going forth, and simply looked. What was the consequence?
(1) All nations were scattered. Though strong and numerous, and their possession ancient and stable as the everlasting hills.
(2) All opposition was subdued. At his presence, kings and princes, firm and immovable on their thrones, were overcome. The mountains were thrashed, and the hills made small before him (Isaiah 41:15).
(3) All enemies were terrified. “I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction.” The tidings of his wondrous acts threw neighbouring nations into despair (Exodus 15:14-16). So now at the approach of God the sinner trembles in fear. Before his rebuke nations wither away. No shelters, no tents nor curtains can hide from him. “The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.”
2. The deliberation by which it was gained. “His ways are everlasting.” This was no sudden, precipitate work. It was by the eternal purpose and strict Justice of God. The works and ways of God are coherent, unchangeable, and true. They have steps and progress, but no change. His creative and providential acts are the same in all ages. “If God could change his purpose,” says Charnock, “he would change his nature.” “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 3
Habakkuk 3:4-7. Hiding. Man’s knowledge is confined to parts only of God’s ways. The extremities or forthgoings of his administration are visible on earth only. The springs, principles, and anterior steps are above and out of man’s sight [Dr. Chalmers].
Habakkuk 3:6. Measured the earth.
“Then stay’d the fervid wheels, and in his hand
He took the golden compasses, prepared
In God’s eternal store, to circumscribe
This universe, and all created things.
One foot he centred, and the other turn’d
Round through the vast profundity obscure;
And said, Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds,
This be thy just circumference, O world!” [Milton].
Habakkuk 3:9. Bow naked. The drawing of the bow was a mark of great skill and slaughter.
“So the great master drew the mighty bow,
And drew with ease. One hand aloft display’d
The bending horns, and one the string essay’d.” [Pope’s Homer.]