You trampled the sea with your horses,
Habakkuk 3:15
the surging of mighty waters.
Habakkuk has been describing God as a great warrior, riding into battle to save his people. We conclude this section of his prayer with imagery hinting back at the past when the nation of Israel saw God’s great redemption.
Saved at the Sea
When the people of Israel were enslaved in Egypt, God sent Moses and Aaron as his representatives to deliver an ultimatum to Pharaoh: “Let my people go!” When Pharaoh refused, God sent ten plagues upon Egypt before Pharaoh finally relented. The people left, wandering in the wilderness until they reached the Red Sea.
Then Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them to bring them back. It was here that God divided the sea and the people walked through it. When Pharaoh’s army tried to follow, the sea collapsed back in place, drowning their pursuers.
This tale of God’s great redemption for the nation is retold every year at Passover. It is a reminder of how God worked in the past, giving hope to how he will act in the future.
Direct references and hints abound to the Exodus from Egypt throughout the rest of the Bible. Our verse in Habakkuk hints at the crossing of the sea. Like Pharaoh in his chariot attempting to ride through the sea, God rides his chariot upon the sea.
Your way was through the sea,
Psalm 77:19
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
The Surging Sea
Habakkuk describes God riding on “surging” (or “foaming” or “churning”) waters. A verbal form of this appears in Lamentations twice, as the author describes how his “stomach churns” (Lamentations 1:20, 2:11). Elsewhere the Psalmist says it is God “who stills the roaring of the seas” (Psalm 65:7).
Fast forward to Jesus’ arrival. Think of his miracles. In one instance, he was in a boat with his disciples when a storm arose. He rebuked the wind, and it calmed down. In another storm, Jesus walked out to his disciples on the rough waters. After getting in the boat, the sea grew calm. His actions display his divinity. It’s no wonder that after this his disciples exclaim, “Truly you are the Son of God!” (Matthew 14:33).
To Ponder…
Think about how God has acted in the Bible, throughout history. How you have seen him act in your life? Do you believe he will continue to be faithful in the future?
Even if God doesn’t calm the metaphorical storms in your life, do you believe he can traverse the treacherous trail you’re traveling? Do you believe he’s with you in the storm?
God is our refuge and strength,
Psalm 46:1-3
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam (chamar),
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah