Habakkuk 3:9

The bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even Thy Word.

--The prophet’s closing prayer is that God would, in wrath, remember mercy. For this he is encouraged to hope by a remembrance of God’s past dealings with His people, which he reviews in a strain of sublime eloquence, lifting up his heart to God with devout acknowledgment of past help, he exclaims, Thy bow was made quite naked, etc. Apply

I. To the defence of God’s people against their enemies. There is allusion to the Eastern mode of warfare. The bow was taken out of its case, and placed upon the string ready to go forth on its errand of destruction against those who assailed the servants of God.

1. The opposition of the ungodly. There has always been a wide distinction between those who serve God, and those who serve Him not. The latter have always set themselves in fierce antagonism against the former. But God’s people have never wanted an avenger in God.

2. The designs of evil spirits. We have enemies in the invisible world. One arrow from the bow of the Almighty will put to flight the hosts of Satan.

3. The plague of our own hearts. We often carry our most dangerous enemies within us. If we allow sin to dwell unmolested within us, we carry about with us a combustible material. Until you get rid of these, you can have no abiding peace. The blood of Christ can wash them all away, the fire of the Holy Spirit can consume them all.

II. The triumph of God’s truth over every form of error.

1. The abominations of idolatry.

2. The delusions of superstition.

3. The fallacies of human reasoning.

Intellect alone is insufficient to guide us in our search after truth without some directing power from heaven. But the issue of conflict with all error is certain. These things will surely be accomplished “according to the oaths of the tribes,” that is, the covenant of God with His people, according to His infallible Word. (W. J. Brock, B. A,)