The term "onrushing" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of an overwhelming force or a sudden, powerful movement is present throughout the Scriptures. This idea can be seen in various contexts, such as the onrushing of waters, armies, or divine intervention. The imagery of onrushing elements often serves to illustrate God's power, judgment, or deliverance.

Onrushing Waters

One of the most vivid depictions of onrushing is found in the imagery of waters or floods. In the Bible, water often symbolizes chaos, danger, and the overwhelming power of nature. The onrushing waters can represent both God's judgment and His deliverance. For instance, in the account of the Great Flood, the waters are described as overwhelming the earth as an act of divine judgment (Genesis 7:17-24). Similarly, the parting of the Red Sea, where the waters rushed back to destroy the Egyptian army, demonstrates God's deliverance of the Israelites and His power over creation (Exodus 14:26-28).

The Psalms frequently use the imagery of onrushing waters to convey distress and the need for divine intervention. Psalm 69:1-2 states, "Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." Here, the psalmist cries out for salvation from overwhelming circumstances, using the metaphor of onrushing waters to describe his plight.

Onrushing Armies

The Bible also uses the concept of onrushing armies to depict the sudden and powerful advance of military forces. This imagery is often associated with God's judgment upon nations or His deliverance of His people. In Isaiah 8:7-8 , the prophet warns of the onrushing Assyrian army: "Therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover the breadth of your land, O Immanuel!"

The onrushing army serves as a metaphor for the unstoppable force of God's judgment, emphasizing the seriousness of turning away from His commandments. Conversely, the onrushing of divine forces can also signify God's protection and deliverance, as seen in the accounts of battles where God intervenes on behalf of Israel, such as in 2 Chronicles 20:22-24, where the Lord sets ambushes against the enemies of Judah.

Divine Intervention

The concept of onrushing is not limited to physical forces but extends to the spiritual realm, where God's intervention is described as sudden and powerful. In Acts 2:2 , the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is described with onrushing imagery: "Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." This event marks the beginning of the Church and the empowering of the apostles, illustrating the transformative power of God's Spirit.

In prophetic literature, the onrushing of God's presence is often depicted as a theophany, where God reveals Himself in a dramatic and overwhelming manner. Ezekiel 1:4 describes such an encounter: "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 underscores the majesty and power of God as He reveals His glory to the prophet.

In summary, while the term "onrushing" itself is not directly used in the Bible, the concept is richly illustrated through various metaphors and narratives. Whether through the imagery of waters, armies, or divine intervention, the onrushing elements in Scripture serve to highlight God's sovereignty, His power to judge, and His ability to deliver His people.

Hillis -- God the Unwearied Guide
... When the northern host swept southward, and overwhelmed Jerusalem, the onrushing
wave was fretted with fire; later, when the wave of war retreated, it carried ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/hillis god the unwearied.htm

Introduction
... "Be not deceived; God is not mocked"!! Nor have we any hope of stemming the onrushing
tide, or of causing Christian leaders to change their position. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/introduction.htm

Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... things have come to such a pass. Against this onrushing ruin much too mild
measures have been employed. Of what avail have been our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter i jesus drives out.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... Thus he remained a laggard, and the half-nomadic, robber people that he represented
became but a stagnant pool, compared with the onrushing stream of Israel's ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm

Onrushing (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Onrushing (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:21 The torrent Kishon
swept them away, the onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon. ...
/o/onrushing.htm - 6k

Onrush (2 Occurrences)

/o/onrush.htm - 7k

Onset (1 Occurrence)

/o/onset.htm - 7k

Torrent (49 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:21 The torrent Kishon swept them away, the onrushing torrent, the
torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might! (DBY NAS RSV). ...
/t/torrent.htm - 22k

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