Habakkuk 3:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction— I saw the tents of Cushan, or of Ethiopia, in consternation, and the tent curtains of the land of Midian trembled. Since Moses's wife, who was a Midianite, is called Numbers 12:1 a Cushite (that is, Ethiopian), Cushan may be here another name for Midian; and then the two members of this period will be equivalent: but if it should be different, then it must mean an Arabian nation which dwelt in tents near Midian, and which was seized with the same consternation at the approach of Jehovah as they were. We can never sufficiently admire the strength and spirit, as well as justness and propriety, of the foregoing description. The design of the prophet was, to give us right conceptions of Jehovah, as king and commander of the ten thousands of Israel; and what more proper circumstances could he have chosen, to inspire us with a just idea of his magnificence and greatness on this occasion? The glory with which he is arrayed is such as filleth the heaven and the earth: a glory which arises not from the pomp of external grandeur, and the parade of honourable followers; but from himself. His power is the terror of all the world around him: the insignia of it being, not the sword or the fasces, but the pestilence and devouring fire: and so great is the dread of him, that the Canaanites fly at his approach, the land trembles at his presence, and the nations around are not able to hide their dismay. Such is Habakkuk's description of Jehovah, simple and plain, but yet grand and sublime; as much excelling every pagan description of Jupiter, as light surpasses darkness. See Green and Houbigant. Habakkuk 3:8. After the description of Jehovah given in the preceding verses, the first of his wonderful works recounted by the prophet is the passage through the Red Sea, where he represents the Lord as appearing at the head of the Israelites in his chariot of war, with his bow drawn in his hand, to rescue them from their cruel oppressors, the Egyptians, and to give them the land of Canaan, according to the oath which he sware unto them, Habakkuk 3:8-9. The next is, his giving them water to drink in the wilderness, where the mountain, moved at his presence:—part of Habakkuk 3:9-10. The next, his passage over Jordan, where the waters, testifying their ready obedience to his will, open to the right and left to make way for his people to pass through:—latter part of Habakkuk 3:10. The next, his interposition at Joshua's engagements with the Amorites, when the sun and moon stood still, to give them time to discomfit their enemies, Habakkuk 3:11. The last wonderful works which the prophet recounts were performed after this engagement, when Jehovah marched before them to execute vengeance on the Canaanites, Habakkuk 3:12 and to protect the Israelites; destroying utterly the princes of Canaan and their states, at a time when they made sure of Israel for their prey, Habakkuk 3:13-14 and giving his own people entire possession of their country, from the river Jordan on the east, to the Mediterranean Sea on the west, Habakkuk 3:15. See Green.

Habakkuk 3:7

7 I saw the tents of Cushane in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.