The Wind: (When Destructive) the Judgments of God
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In the biblical narrative, the wind is often depicted as a powerful force under the sovereign control of God. While the wind can symbolize the presence and blessing of God, it is also frequently portrayed as an instrument of His judgment, particularly when it manifests in destructive forms. This duality underscores the belief in God's ultimate authority over creation and His ability to use natural elements to fulfill divine purposes.

Biblical Instances of Destructive Wind as Judgment

1. The Great Flood: One of the earliest and most significant examples of destructive wind as a divine judgment is found in the account of the Great Flood. In Genesis 7:11-12, the "fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." While the primary destructive force was water, the narrative implies the involvement of powerful winds, as Genesis 8:1 states, "But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded."

2. The Plagues of Egypt: In Exodus, the plagues that God sent upon Egypt included destructive winds. The eighth plague, the plague of locusts, was brought by an east wind. Exodus 10:13 records, "So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD sent an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts." This wind-driven plague devastated the land, serving as a judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart.

3. The Parting of the Red Sea: While primarily a miraculous deliverance for the Israelites, the parting of the Red Sea also involved a destructive wind for the Egyptians. Exodus 14:21-22 describes how "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." When the Egyptians pursued the Israelites, the waters returned, leading to their destruction.

4. The Storm Against Jonah: The story of Jonah illustrates how God used a violent storm as a form of judgment and correction. Jonah 1:4 states, "Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break apart." This storm was a direct response to Jonah's disobedience, compelling him to fulfill God's command.

5. The Prophetic Warnings: The prophets frequently used the imagery of destructive winds to convey impending judgment. In Jeremiah 23:19, the prophet declares, "Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out in fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked." Similarly, Hosea 13:15 warns, "Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—the wind of the LORD rising from the desert; his spring will fail, and his well will dry up."

Theological Implications

The destructive wind as a manifestation of God's judgment serves several theological purposes. It underscores God's sovereignty over nature, affirming that all creation is subject to His will. It also acts as a tangible reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, calling individuals and nations to repentance. Furthermore, these events highlight the dual nature of God's character—His justice in punishing wickedness and His mercy in providing opportunities for redemption.

In conclusion, the destructive wind in the Bible is a powerful symbol of divine judgment. It serves as a reminder of God's authority and the serious consequences of turning away from His commands. Through these narratives, believers are called to recognize the signs of God's judgment and respond with humility and repentance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 27:8
In measure, when it shoots forth, you will debate with it: he stays his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 29:6
You shall be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 41:16
You shall fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and you shall rejoice in the LORD, and shall glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Smitten in Vain
... formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth ... it, and the surer and
more destructive the flood ... Long-delayed judgments are severe in proportion as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/smitten in vain.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... The fierce wind that roared among the savage peaks ... at once expressed God's lordship
over all destructive agencies of ... assured him of the divine judgments on the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Psalm IX.
... for our deliverance: as sailors too call the wind theirs, which ... be mingled with its
trifling and hurtful and destructive pleasures. ... These are God's judgments. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ix.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... Of all the judgments which the righteous God inflicts ... sinners here, the most dreadful
and destructive is an ... with frightful noises, like a ruffling wind, or a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm

John's Doubts and Christ's Praise
... A reed shaken with the wind? ... mind, and how lenient, therefore, should be our judgments
of many ... are the true signs, not judicial, retributive, destructive energy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/johns doubts and christs praise.htm

Conclusion.
... principle, whose maturity is utterly destructive of benevolence. ... early, before its
giant coils wind around the ... by the time, in your own judgments, the means ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/conclusion.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... wind, and followeth after the east-wind; he daily ... dedicated to the helping and saving
God, and which ... be altogether borne down by destructive judgments; xiii.14 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

Paul at Philippi
... Ah, there will be a wonderful reversal of judgments one day! ... Destructive preparations
may be noisy; they generally are ... Trumpets only catch and give forth wind. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at philippi.htm

The Herald of the King
... first and the third refer to the destructive fire; the ... the threshing-floor exposed
to every wind, the stored ... the coming of Christ, and the judgments which He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the herald of the king.htm

A New Kind of King
... not in the earthquake, nor the fire, nor the mighty wind. ... and the other in some sense
destructive and punitive ... it comes as one in a series of judgments, and may ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/a new kind of king.htm

Resources
What is the day of Pentecost? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Hebrew word ruach? | GotQuestions.org

Why are there times when God seems silent / absent in a believer's life? | GotQuestions.org

Wind: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

The Wind of False Doctrines

The Wind of Iniquity Which Leads to Destruction

The Wind of Molten Images

The Wind of Terrors Which Pursue the Soul

The Wind of the Life of Man

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: Drying Nature of

The Wind: East

The Wind: Euroclydon

The Wind: Frequently Brings Rain

The Wind: from the North Drives Away Rain

The Wind: God: Assuages

The Wind: God: Brings Forth, out of his Treasuries

The Wind: God: Changes

The Wind: God: Created

The Wind: God: Gathers, in his Hand

The Wind: God: Raises

The Wind: God: Restrains

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: North

The Wind: Often Blighting

The Wind: Purifying Nature of

The Wind: South

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: The Whirlwind

The Wind: Theory of, Above Man's Comprehension

The Wind: Variable Nature of

The Wind: West

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

Wind of Heresy

Wind of the Judgments of God

Wind of the Spirit

Wind: Blasting

Wind: East in Canaan

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: Figurative

Wind: North: Free from Humidity in Canaan

Wind: South: Purifying

Wind: South: Soothing

Wind: South: Tempestuous

Wind: West: Took Away the Plague of Locusts from the Land of Egypt

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Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

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The Wind: (Sowing) a Course of Sin
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