Habakkuk 3:2

"O Jehovah, I have heard the report of thee, and am afraid: O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known; And in wrath remember mercy."

Keil regarded this verse as "the theme of the whole chapter."[10]

"Jehovah is displayed in so terrible a manner, that his judgment not only inspires with joy at the destruction of the foe, but fills with alarm at the omnipotence of the Judge of the world."[11]

"In the midst of the years ..." This is a very interesting phrase which was applied by Barnes to "the long period of waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed in the flesh."[12] "The midstream of history" would be an approximation of it. There have been many such periods, not merely in the lives of individual Christians struggling with mid-life perplexities and frustrations, but also in these "middle years" waiting for the Second Coming of our Lord.

"Make it known ..." God had delivered Israel with a "high hand" out of Egyptian slavery, showing his absolute superiority over all the so-called "gods" of Egypt; but in the meanwhile, even Israel had forgotten and had reverted to the shameless paganism of the old Canaanites. The pagan nations no longer feared Jehovah; and Habukkuk was pleading for God once again to show his mighty power.

"In wrath remember mercy ..." Habakkuk acknowledges in this the justice of the destruction coming upon Israel for their abominations; but despite this, he pleads for the mercy of the Father to be extended to the beloved nation. This, of course, was provided, but not to the extent of sparing Israel the punishment of defeat and deportation. The mercy was given in that not all of the people were destroyed; a righteous remnant remained, and in due time the Saviour was born in Bethlehem.