Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative of the Exodus, the west wind plays a significant role in the account of the plagues that God sent upon Egypt. The specific event involving the west wind is found in the context of the eighth plague, the plague of locusts, which is described in the Book of Exodus.Biblical Context The account of the plague of locusts is recorded in Exodus 10:1-20. This plague was the eighth of ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. The locusts were sent as a divine judgment upon the land, devastating the crops and vegetation, and causing great distress to the Egyptians. The Role of the West Wind After the locusts had covered the land and consumed everything green, Pharaoh urgently summoned Moses and Aaron, confessing his sin against the LORD and asking them to pray for the removal of the plague. Moses responded to Pharaoh's plea and prayed to the LORD. The Bible records the intervention of the west wind in Exodus 10:19 : "And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind, which caught up the locusts and carried them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained anywhere in Egypt." Significance The west wind, as described in this passage, was a direct response to Moses' intercession and a demonstration of God's sovereign control over nature. The removal of the locusts by the west wind was not a mere natural phenomenon but a miraculous act orchestrated by God to show His power and to fulfill His purposes for His people, Israel. The use of the west wind to carry the locusts into the Red Sea also foreshadows the later events of the Exodus narrative, where the Red Sea becomes a place of deliverance for the Israelites and a site of judgment for the Egyptians. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the west wind's role in removing the locusts underscores several key themes in the biblical narrative: 1. Divine Sovereignty: The event highlights God's absolute authority over creation. The wind, a natural element, is used by God to accomplish His will, demonstrating that all of nature is subject to His command. 2. Judgment and Mercy: The removal of the locusts illustrates the balance of God's judgment and mercy. While the plagues were acts of judgment against Egypt, the removal of the locusts in response to Pharaoh's plea shows God's willingness to relent when there is repentance, albeit temporary in Pharaoh's case. 3. Intercession: Moses' role as an intercessor is emphasized in this account. His prayer to God results in the cessation of the plague, highlighting the power and importance of intercessory prayer in the biblical tradition. 4. Foreshadowing Deliverance: The west wind's action in carrying the locusts into the Red Sea prefigures the deliverance of the Israelites through the same sea, pointing to God's plan of salvation and liberation for His people. In summary, the west wind's removal of the locusts from Egypt is a testament to God's power and purpose, serving as a pivotal moment in the unfolding account of the Exodus and the liberation of the Israelites. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 10:19And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. Nave's Topical Index Library The Rod that Troubled Egypt. The Cost of Being Cruel and Stubborn Of the Three Woe Trumpets. The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Ancient Chaldaea The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Resources What is the new birth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be born of God? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”? | GotQuestions.org Wind: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Wind of Iniquity Which Leads to Destruction The Wind of Terrors Which Pursue the Soul The Wind of the Operations of the Holy Spirit The Wind of the Speeches of the Desperate The Wind: (Bringing Forth) of Disappointed Expectations The Wind: (Chaff or Stubble Before) of the Wicked The Wind: (Feeding Upon) of Vain Hopes The Wind: (Sowing) a Course of Sin The Wind: (When Destructive) the Judgments of God The Wind: (Without Rain) One Who Boasts of a False Gift The Wind: Accomplishes the Purposes of God The Wind: Frequently Brings Rain The Wind: from the North Drives Away Rain The Wind: God: Brings Forth, out of his Treasuries The Wind: God: Gathers, in his Hand The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Calmed by Casting out Jonah The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Calmed by Christ The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Locusts Brought By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Locusts Removed By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Quails Brought By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Raises on Account of Jonah The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Red Sea Divided By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Rocks and Mountains Rent By The Wind: Movement of the Leaves of Trees By, Noticed The Wind: Tempestuous: Destroys Houses The Wind: Tempestuous: Drives About the Largest Ships The Wind: Tempestuous: Raises the Sea in Waves The Wind: The Simoom or Pestilential Wind The Wind: Theory of, Above Man's Comprehension The Wind: when Violent Called: Fierce Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Great and Strong Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Mighty Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Rough Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Storm The Wind: when Violent Called: Stormy Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Tempest The Wind: when Violent Called: Windy Storm Wind: East in the Valley of the Euphrates River Wind: East: At the City of Nineveh Wind: East: Hot and Blasting in Egypt Wind: East: Tempestuous in the Land of Uz Wind: North: Free from Humidity in Canaan Wind: West: Took Away the Plague of Locusts from the Land of Egypt Related Terms |
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