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"Ascribing this power to his god"

Text: Habakkuk 1:11

THE PANTHEON OF DEITIES IN BABYLONIA

Like many other nations in Mesopotamia, Babylon had its own pantheon of deities. The Babylonians may have been fierce but they did offer worship to deities in whom they believed would give them power.

“Then his mind changes, and he transgresses;
He commits offense,
Ascribing this power to his god.”
Habakkuk 1:11

1. “Then his mind changes”

a) The Babylonians would consult their deities for their leading.

b) Priests would seek to determine whether they should enter into battle by seeking an oracle.

c) Many religious practices were done.

d) The mind of the Chaldean rulers will change according to the oracles given to them by their temple priests.

2. “And he transgresses”

a) He may transgress human sensitivities.

b) He may transgress God’s Laws.

c) But the Chaldeans would not care because they were following through with what they have received as oracles from their deities.

3. “He commits offense”

a) The Chaldeans were a law to themselves.

b) They did not care about the offense they commit.

c) Atrocities in war were common things they practised as they went to war against their enemies.

4. “Ascribing this power to his god”

a) The patron god of the Chaldean was called Marduk.

b) He was worshipped as the principal deity.

c) He was the god of storms and of war.

d) In the legends of Marduk he slew the goddess Tiamat, the goddess of the oceans.

e) Marduk was deified as the most important of the gods, though he was an offspring of Tiamat.

f) His blessing was sought if the Chaldeans went to war.

g) If they were successful they would attribute their power as coming from Marduk.

h) They fed on the example of Marduk slaying his mother Tiamat.

i) Thus, they were not unafraid of slaying womenfolk and children in war.