| Geneva Study Bible Therefore they sacrifice to their {m} net, and burn incense to their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their food plenteous. (m) Meaning that the enemies flatter themselves, and glory in their own strength, power, and intellect. Wesley's Notes 1:16 They sacrifice - Ascribe the praise of their victories. Their net - To their own contrivances, diligence, and power. King James Translators' Notes plenteous: or, dainty: Heb. fat Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 16. sacrifice unto their net-that is, their arms, power, and military skill, wherewith they gained their victories; instead of to God. Compare Hab 1:11, Maurer's interpretation. They idolize themselves for their own cleverness and might (De 8:17; Isa 10:13; 37:24, 25). by them-by their net and dragnet. their portion-image from a banquet: the prey which they have gotten. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:12-17 However matters may be, yet God is the Lord our God, our Holy One. We are an offending people, he is an offended God, yet we will not entertain hard thoughts of him, or of his service. It is great comfort that, whatever mischief men design, the Lord designs good, and we are sure that his counsel shall stand. Though wickedness may prosper a while, yet God is holy, and does not approve the wickedness. As he cannot do iniquity himself, so he is of purer eyes than to behold it with any approval. By this principle we must abide, though the dispensations of his providence may for a time, in some cases, seem to us not to agree with it. The prophet complains that God's patience was abused; and because sentence against these evil works and workers was not executed speedily, their hearts were the more fully set in them to do evil. Some they take up as with the angle, one by one; others they catch in shoals, as in their net, and gather them in their drag, their enclosing net. They admire their own cleverness and contrivance: there is great proneness in us to take the glory of outward prosperity to ourselves. This is idolizing ourselves, sacrificing to the drag-net because it is our own. God will soon end successful and splendid robberies. Death and judgment shall make men cease to prey on others, and they shall be preyed on themselves. Let us remember, whatever advantages we possess, we must give all the glory to God. | 
