Topical Encyclopedia The Bible frequently illustrates the power and majesty of God through natural phenomena, with the wind often serving as a divine instrument. One of the most striking manifestations of this is the miraculous rending of rocks and mountains, events that underscore God's sovereignty and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence.1. Theophany at Mount Sinai In the Old Testament, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai is accompanied by dramatic natural events, including the rending of the mountain. Exodus 19:18 describes the scene: "Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently." Here, the wind is implied as part of the tumultuous display of God's presence, causing the mountain to tremble and the rocks to be rent. 2. Elijah at Mount Horeb The prophet Elijah experiences a profound encounter with God at Mount Horeb, where the wind plays a crucial role. 1 Kings 19:11 recounts, "Then the LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind." This passage highlights the power of the wind as an instrument of divine revelation, yet it also emphasizes that God's presence transcends the physical manifestations of His power. 3. The Crucifixion of Jesus The New Testament also records a miraculous rending of rocks at the moment of Jesus' death. Matthew 27:51 states, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split." While the wind is not explicitly mentioned, the event is marked by a supernatural disturbance of the natural order, signifying the profound spiritual implications of Christ's sacrifice. 4. Symbolism and Significance In these accounts, the rending of rocks and mountains by the wind or accompanying natural forces serves as a powerful symbol of God's intervention in human history. These events are not mere natural occurrences but are imbued with theological significance, demonstrating God's authority over creation and His active involvement in the covenantal relationship with His people. The wind, as a divine agent, reflects the might and mystery of God, who uses the elements to communicate His will and to bring about His purposes. The rending of rocks and mountains signifies moments of divine revelation, judgment, and redemption, marking pivotal points in the biblical narrative where God's presence is made manifest in extraordinary ways. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 19:11And he said, Go forth, and stand on the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Another Wonderful Record of 25. The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Moody's Stories Memoir of John Bunyan 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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