Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the wind is often depicted as a powerful force under the direct control of God, serving as an instrument of His will and a manifestation of His divine power. The wind is not merely a natural phenomenon but is frequently portrayed as a tool through which God executes His purposes, whether in judgment, deliverance, or the demonstration of His sovereignty over creation.Creation and Sovereignty The Bible begins with the assertion of God's sovereignty over all creation, including the wind. In Genesis 1:2, the "Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters," which can also be understood as the "breath" or "wind" of God, indicating His active presence in creation. This sets the stage for understanding the wind as an extension of God's creative and sustaining power. Judgment and Deliverance Throughout the Scriptures, God uses the wind as a means of judgment and deliverance. In the account of the Exodus, God employs the wind to part the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptians. Exodus 14:21 states, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land." Here, the wind is a direct agent of divine intervention, facilitating the deliverance of God's people. Conversely, the wind is also used as an instrument of judgment. In the book of Jonah, God sends a "great wind on the sea" (Jonah 1:4) to arrest the prophet's flight from his divine commission. This tempestuous wind serves as a corrective force, redirecting Jonah back to the path of obedience. Prophetic Imagery and Symbolism The prophets frequently employ the imagery of wind to convey messages of both judgment and hope. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is commanded to prophesy to the "breath" or "wind" to bring life to the dry bones, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. Ezekiel 37:9 records, "Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live.'" Here, the wind is a metaphor for the life-giving Spirit of God, capable of reviving and restoring His people. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the wind continues to symbolize the presence and power of God, particularly through the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the arrival of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by "a sound like a mighty rushing wind" (Acts 2:2), signifying the fulfillment of God's promise and the empowerment of the early church. This event underscores the continuity of the wind as a symbol of divine action and presence. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of the wind as an instrument raised by God highlights His omnipotence and active involvement in the world. Whether as a force of nature, a means of deliverance, or a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the wind serves as a testament to God's authority and His ability to accomplish His purposes in both the natural and spiritual realms. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 107:25For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves thereof. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jonah 4:8 Library Wind and Spirit The History Books Thankfulness to God. The Fourth Rule of Prayer Is, that Notwithstanding of Our Being ... Of the First Sentiments of Love which Divine Inspirations Cause in ... Sovereignty of God in Administration Maxims to Know a Simple, Humble, and True Heart. Where is the Lord? Words to Rest On The Comforter Resources What is the meaning of “chasing the wind” in Ecclesiastes? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of chaff in the Bible? | 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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