Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? Habakkuk asks rhetorical questions about God's theophanic displays involving water. "Was the LORD displeased against the rivers?" (הֲבִנְהָרִים חָרָה יְהוָה/havin'harim charah YHWH)—did the rivers themselves offend God? "Was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea?" (אִם־בַּנְּהָרִים אַפֶּךָ אִם־בַּיָּם עֶבְרָתֶךָ/im-ban'harim apekha im-bayyam evratekha)—triple questioning emphasizes the point. The answer is no—God wasn't angry at water itself.
"That thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation" (אֲשֶׁר תִּרְכַּב עַל־סוּסֶיךָ מַרְכְּבֹתֶיךָ יְשׁוּעָה/asher tirkav al-susekha markevotekha yeshu'ah). God rode His war chariot—the storm clouds—in salvation for His people. The Red Sea parting, Jordan's stopping, and other water miracles weren't displays of anger toward water but salvation acts for Israel using nature as instrument.
The imagery depicts God as divine warrior riding the storm, commanding waters, defeating enemies—not because creation offended Him but to deliver His people. This demonstrates God's total sovereignty: nature itself serves His redemptive purposes. When God moves, all creation obeys—not from divine wrath against creation but as tools of salvation for God's people and judgment on His enemies.
Historical Context
The passage clearly recalls the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14) and Jordan River crossing (Joshua 3)—foundational salvation events in Israel's history. God's 'riding upon horses and chariots' refers to storm theophany imagery common in ancient Near Eastern texts but applied to YHWH's unique acts of salvation. Unlike pagan storm gods (like Baal) who supposedly fought against chaos waters, YHWH commands waters for His purposes—saving Israel, judging enemies.
Psalm 77:16-20 uses similar imagery, describing the Red Sea crossing as waters trembling before God. The point: God's past mighty acts guarantee His present and future intervention. For Jews facing exile, remembering how God commanded nature for their ancestors' salvation strengthened hope He would deliver again. For Christians, these Old Testament salvation acts typologically point to greater salvation in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
How do God's mighty acts in nature (parting seas, stopping rivers) demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over creation?
What comfort comes from knowing God uses all creation—even seemingly hostile forces—as instruments of salvation for His people?
How do the exodus water miracles typologically point toward Christian baptism and salvation through Christ?
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Analysis & Commentary
Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? Habakkuk asks rhetorical questions about God's theophanic displays involving water. "Was the LORD displeased against the rivers?" (הֲבִנְהָרִים חָרָה יְהוָה/havin'harim charah YHWH)—did the rivers themselves offend God? "Was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea?" (אִם־בַּנְּהָרִים אַפֶּךָ אִם־בַּיָּם עֶבְרָתֶךָ/im-ban'harim apekha im-bayyam evratekha)—triple questioning emphasizes the point. The answer is no—God wasn't angry at water itself.
"That thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation" (אֲשֶׁר תִּרְכַּב עַל־סוּסֶיךָ מַרְכְּבֹתֶיךָ יְשׁוּעָה/asher tirkav al-susekha markevotekha yeshu'ah). God rode His war chariot—the storm clouds—in salvation for His people. The Red Sea parting, Jordan's stopping, and other water miracles weren't displays of anger toward water but salvation acts for Israel using nature as instrument.
The imagery depicts God as divine warrior riding the storm, commanding waters, defeating enemies—not because creation offended Him but to deliver His people. This demonstrates God's total sovereignty: nature itself serves His redemptive purposes. When God moves, all creation obeys—not from divine wrath against creation but as tools of salvation for God's people and judgment on His enemies.