Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Net and Drag

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In the biblical context, idolatry refers to the worship of idols or the excessive reverence for created objects rather than the Creator. Among the various forms of idolatry mentioned in the Scriptures, the objects of "net" and "drag" are particularly noteworthy, as they symbolize the misplaced trust and devotion of individuals who rely on their own means and resources rather than on God.

The prophet Habakkuk provides a vivid depiction of this form of idolatry. In Habakkuk 1:15-16 , the prophet describes the Chaldeans, a fierce and impetuous nation, as fishermen who catch people with hooks, gather them in their nets, and rejoice over their conquests. The passage reads: "The Chaldeans bring all of them up with a hook; they catch them in their net and gather them in their dragnet. So they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice to their net and burn incense to their dragnet, for by these things their portion is rich and their food is plentiful."

In this metaphorical language, the "net" and "dragnet" represent the tools and strategies employed by the Chaldeans to achieve their goals. The idolatry lies in their attribution of success and prosperity to these instruments rather than acknowledging the sovereignty and providence of God. By sacrificing to their net and burning incense to their dragnet, they demonstrate a profound misplacement of worship, elevating their own efforts and resources to the status of deities.

This form of idolatry is a cautionary illustration of the human tendency to idolize personal achievements, skills, or possessions. It serves as a reminder that reliance on human ingenuity and material wealth, when placed above trust in God, constitutes a form of idolatry. The biblical narrative consistently warns against such practices, urging believers to recognize God as the ultimate source of provision and success.

The broader biblical teaching on idolatry emphasizes the exclusive worship of the one true God. The First Commandment, as stated in Exodus 20:3 , declares, "You shall have no other gods before Me." This command underscores the importance of directing worship and trust solely toward God, rejecting any form of idolatry that diverts devotion away from Him.

Throughout Scripture, idolatry is portrayed as a grave sin with severe consequences. The prophets frequently admonished the Israelites for their idolatrous practices, which often led to spiritual and moral decline. The worship of objects such as the net and dragnet serves as a metaphor for the broader issue of idolatry, highlighting the danger of placing faith in anything other than God.

In summary, the biblical depiction of idolatry involving the objects of net and drag serves as a powerful illustration of the human propensity to idolize personal means and achievements. It calls believers to examine their own lives, ensuring that their trust and worship are directed solely toward God, the true source of all blessings and success.

Nave's Topical Index

Habakkuk 1:16
Therefore they sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Among the many striking objects to which Bunyan directs our ... keep the people of God
from committing of idolatry; to wit ... they leap like fishes in a net, when they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... me, that the nature of all these objects of the ... and offer gifts, [2604] in order
that idolatry might be ... a snare to the watchtower; and as a net spread upon ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... beings or personifications of natural phenomena which were the chief objects of
worship ... of expiation""to kill 1000 serpents of those who drag themselves upon ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... his, and after he has been dead a hundred and fifty years, you drag him into ... that
idol temple?" Here of course he brings himself in guilty of idolatry; for if ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

part i
... on the contrary, no such sonlike voice to be heard in our hearts, which are deadened
by the vanities of this world and attachments to its objects and pleasures ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm