(Part 1)

JBTM Paul D. Wegner
105
through the world, easily gathering up peoples in their “net.” They even worship their
“net” as the reason for their success. So what does this net represent? In some sense it
represents Babylonian pride in their great military power as well as the power of the gods
that they served—either Inanna (also called Ishtar), the goddess of fertility, love, and war,
or other gods of war among the hundreds that they served. The allegorical language also
has a literal sense as well; ancient wall reliefs from Mesopotamia actually picture prisoners
being captured and held in leather nets.
Habakkuk’s point is that the Babylonians in no way acknowledge the sovereignty of
Israel’s God. God should not let the Babylonians, a cruel and pagan people, punish God’s
people who, in Habakkuk’s mind are more righteous. Look at v. 13 again: “Why are You
silent while the one who is wicked swallows up one who is more righteous than himself?”
This chart shows how Habakkuk pictures wickedness in the world. The Israelites serve
Yahweh and are not overthrowing other nations. On the other hand, the Babylonians serve
other gods, wipe out other nations, and spare no one.