Topical Bible: Whirlwind: from the North

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In biblical literature, the term "whirlwind" is often used to describe a powerful and divine manifestation of God's presence and judgment. The imagery of a whirlwind coming from the north is particularly significant, as it conveys both the majesty and the awe-inspiring nature of God's actions.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel's Vision:
The most prominent reference to a whirlwind from the north is found in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 1:4 (BSB), the prophet describes his vision: "I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and a brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a glow like amber." This vision marks the beginning of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry and symbolizes the glory and power of God. The whirlwind signifies God's approach, bringing with it the divine presence and the unfolding of His plans for Israel.

2. Symbolism of the North:
In biblical symbolism, the north often represents a place of mystery and divine origin. It is associated with God's throne and His sovereign rule over the earth. The whirlwind coming from the north in Ezekiel's vision underscores the divine authority and the impending judgment that God is about to execute. The north, as a direction, is frequently linked with God's intervention in human affairs, as seen in other prophetic texts.

3. Job's Encounter:
Another significant mention of a whirlwind is found in the book of Job. In Job 38:1 (BSB), God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind: "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said." Although the text does not specify the direction from which the whirlwind comes, the imagery is consistent with the theme of divine revelation and authority. The whirlwind serves as a conduit for God's voice, emphasizing His power and the mystery of His ways.

4. Jeremiah's Prophecies:
The prophet Jeremiah also uses the imagery of a whirlwind to describe God's judgment. In Jeremiah 23:19 (BSB), it is written: "Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out in fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked." While the direction is not specified, the whirlwind is a metaphor for the swift and unstoppable nature of God's judgment against those who oppose His will.

Theological Implications:

The whirlwind from the north is a powerful symbol of God's transcendence and immanence. It represents His ability to intervene in the world with both judgment and revelation. The imagery conveys the idea that God's ways are beyond human understanding, yet His presence is undeniably real and active in the world. The whirlwind serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate accountability of humanity to His divine will.

In the context of biblical prophecy, the whirlwind from the north is a call to recognize the majesty and authority of God. It challenges believers to respond with reverence and obedience, acknowledging that God's plans are perfect and His purposes will be accomplished. The whirlwind is both a warning and an assurance that God is in control, guiding the course of history according to His divine purpose.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 1:4
And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the middle thereof as the color of amber, out of the middle of the fire.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Reaping the Whirlwind.
... I remember in the north of England a prominent citizen told a sad case that ... fruit
was long growing, but at the last it ripened to the harvest like a whirlwind. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/reaping the whirlwind.htm

Ezekiel's vision (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, June 16 ...
... Ezekiel saw a whirlwind come out of the north; a whirling globe of fire;
four living creatures coming out of the midst thereof. ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon ix ezekiels vision preached.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... the king of the south push at him; and the king of the north (the Antichrist) shall
come against him (ie the king of the south) like a whirlwind with chariots ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

The Chariot of Fire
... He came like a whirlwind, he burned like a fire, and in fire and whirlwind he
disappeared ... been called a going down (v.2). It probably lay to the north of Bethel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the chariot of fire.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... the Philistines, west of Judah, the Phoenician kingdoms on the north, Arameans or ...
The conquest was a sort of whirlwind campaign that crushed the active and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Carrion and the Vultures
... honeycombed with abominations and immoralities; and then down from the frozen north
came the ... The fathers sowed the wind, and the children reaped the whirlwind. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the carrion and the vultures.htm

Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... For evil I bring from the North And ruin immense ... 12 [Now will I speak My judgments
upon them] Lo, like the clouds he is mounting, 13 Like the whirlwind his cars ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 oracles on the scythians.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... Upon the banks of the river Chebar, Ezekiel beheld a whirlwind seeming to come from
the north, "a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Antichrist in Jeremiah
... toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a ... he shall
come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/2 antichrist in jeremiah.htm

In Judaea
... of that kingdom"carried not in earthquake of wrath, nor in whirlwind of judgment ...
not easy to fix the exact boundaries of Judaea proper towards the north-west. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm