The First Woe
The Babylonians would feel the brunt of their evil deeds because what they had done would turn against them. The evil deeds that they sowed with violence to profit themselves would result in them reaping the judgment of God. Those upon whom they inflicted harm would insult them with words of mockery and contempt. Their words of ridicule and scorn would be an expression of God’s wrath against them because of the stolen goods they piled up for themselves (Habakkuk 2:6). They made themselves wealthy through excessive force against their enemies; therefore, they would pay a great price for stealing those nations’ property. Those from whom they deprived their belongings would awake as from sleep, revolt against them, and attack them, which would cause them to tremble and be afraid (Habakkuk 2:7). They would become the spoil of their enemies who would prey upon them. God’s condemnation would fall upon them because of the blood they had shed when they plundered the nations by destroying their lands, cities, and citizens living in them (Habakkuk 2:8). They showed no mercy; therefore, they would be recipients of violence from the nations they destroyed.
6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, “Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own for how long? and loads himself with pledges!”