The Wind: Purifying Nature of
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The wind, as depicted in the Bible, often symbolizes the power and presence of God, serving as an instrument of His will. One of the significant aspects of the wind is its purifying nature, which is evident throughout the Scriptures. This purifying characteristic is both literal and metaphorical, illustrating God's ability to cleanse and renew His creation.

In the Old Testament, the wind is frequently associated with God's judgment and purification. For instance, in Exodus 14:21, the Lord uses a strong east wind to part the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from Egypt. This act not only demonstrates God's power but also signifies the removal of obstacles and the purification of His people from bondage. The wind, in this context, serves as a divine agent of deliverance and cleansing.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks of the wind's purifying role. In Isaiah 41:16, the Lord promises to scatter the enemies of Israel like chaff in the wind: "You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel." Here, the wind is depicted as a force that removes impurities and refines the people of God, leaving behind what is pure and holy.

In the New Testament, the purifying nature of the wind is further illustrated in the events of Pentecost. Acts 2:2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit as "a sound like a mighty rushing wind," filling the house where the disciples were gathered. This wind signifies the cleansing and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, purifying the hearts of the believers and equipping them for their mission. The wind, in this instance, is a symbol of spiritual renewal and transformation.

Moreover, the wind's purifying nature is metaphorically linked to the process of sanctification in the life of a believer. Just as the wind separates the chaff from the wheat, so does the Holy Spirit work within individuals to remove sin and cultivate righteousness. This ongoing purification is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, as believers are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God.

Throughout the Bible, the wind serves as a powerful symbol of God's purifying work. Whether through acts of judgment, deliverance, or spiritual renewal, the wind illustrates the divine process of cleansing and refining His creation. As such, it remains a potent reminder of God's sovereignty and His desire for His people to be pure and holy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 37:21
And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passes, and cleans them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 4:11
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
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Library

The Baptism of the Spirit
... The courses of the wind are to be discerned by the effects ... make Divine things real
to you, but as a purifying flame He must change your nature, purging away ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xiii the baptism of the.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... (i) To fire (Acts 2:3). Fire is of a purifying nature. It refines and cleans metals. ...
It burns up the dross of sin. (ii) The Spirit is compared to wind. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... attain the more true holiness and purity of heart and life, 'purifying their hearts
by ... yet dwelleth within them, that is, something of his divine nature or his ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

The Second Theological Oration.
... Or what compression of wind having no outlet will account to you for the ... a creature
of the intellectual sphere; Fire, as being of a purifying nature; for I ...
/.../lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxviii the second theological.htm

The Holy Spirit and the one Church
... After the Spirit, like the wind, has made the dead ... It is purifying, but it purifies
by a terrible process ... which discovers the wickedness of our nature, and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the holy spirit and the.htm

Of the Life and Miracles of Jesus, and Testimonies Concerning Them ...
... is, by the pouring forth [660] of the purifying dew. ... aroused from sleep, He immediately
ordered the wind to be ... [659] Not of His own flesh, but of human nature. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xv of the life and.htm

The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit
... as the ships are borne along by the wind?' 'As many ... The metaphor of fire suggests
also"purifying. ... my spirit, will still and satisfy my whole nature, and with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the fourfold symbols of the.htm

The New Birth
... of the fact, as of the blowing of the wind; but the ... But they must reign till the
bent of our nature is changed ... the one being an act of man, purifying the body ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 45 the new birth.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... Nicodemus, both as to its necessity and its nature. ... may be as inexplicable as the
wind, which bloweth ... on the day of Pentecost, namely, the purifying of their ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

The Withering Work of the Spirit
... know, is used in the Hebrew both for "wind" and "Spirit ... it is; it is not the old
nature putting out ... parts; not the old Adam refining and purifying itself, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the withering work of the.htm

Resources
What is the new birth? | GotQuestions.org

What 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 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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The Wind: Often Blighting
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