A Godless Nation
A strong wind can be very forceful and cause much damage to everything that lies in its pathway. It blows with a great and destructive energy that cannot be stopped or diverted from its course. This is a description of the Babylonians. They are likened to a powerful wind that swept over their enemies with extreme force. They obliterated everything that was in their way so that nothing was left standing.
Once they had accomplished their destructive mission, they would move on to other nations upon whom they could inflict more harm. However, as the words go on
implies their warring would come to an end. To know that the Babylonian war machine would not be at war with the Israelites forever may have been a comfort to Habakkuk. God’s judgment upon his people would cease after he had punished them for their wickedness.
The Babylonians attacked their enemies in this way because they believed that their might was their god. The strength and ability of the Babylonians to defeat their enemies made them trust in themselves which turned their power into a god which they served. God regarded them as guilty men for not serving him. Therefore they were detestable to him. God’s view of them showed that although he was to use them for his work, he did not approve of them, their behaviour, and actions.
11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!”