The Wind of Terrors Which Pursue the Soul
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Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "the wind of terrors" is a vivid metaphor found within the biblical text, often symbolizing the relentless and overwhelming forces that pursue and afflict the soul. This imagery is primarily drawn from the book of Job, where the trials and tribulations faced by Job are described in terms that evoke a sense of inescapable dread and divine testing.

Biblical Context

In the book of Job, the "wind of terrors" is not explicitly mentioned as a phrase, but the imagery of wind and terror is prevalent. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), experiences profound suffering and loss, which he attributes to the overwhelming forces allowed by God to test his faith. The relentless nature of his suffering can be likened to a pursuing wind, a force that is both intangible and inescapable.

Job 30:15 states, "Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, and my prosperity vanishes like a cloud." Here, the wind is a metaphor for the loss and fear that have overtaken Job, stripping him of his dignity and prosperity. The use of wind in this context underscores the uncontrollable and pervasive nature of his afflictions.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the "wind of terrors" can be understood as a representation of the trials that test the faith and endurance of believers. In the narrative of Job, these trials are permitted by God, serving as a means to refine and purify the soul. The relentless pursuit of these terrors challenges the believer to maintain faith and trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and goodness, even amidst profound suffering.

The wind, as a natural element, is often used in Scripture to symbolize the power and presence of God. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as a wind (John 3:8), indicating divine presence and action. In contrast, the "wind of terrors" represents the adversities that God allows, which, while fearsome, are ultimately under His control and serve His purposes.

Practical Application

For believers, the imagery of the "wind of terrors" serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles that are part of the Christian journey. It calls for a steadfast faith and reliance on God's promises, even when faced with overwhelming fear and uncertainty. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, encourages believers to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil.

In times of trial, Christians are encouraged to seek refuge in God's Word and to find comfort in the knowledge that God is with them, even in the midst of the storm. The Psalms offer numerous prayers and declarations of trust in God's protection and deliverance, such as Psalm 91:4 : "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart."

Conclusion

The "wind of terrors" is a powerful biblical metaphor that captures the essence of the trials and fears that pursue the soul. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for faith and perseverance in the face of adversity, trusting in God's ultimate plan and purpose for His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 30:15
Terrors are turned on me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passes away as a cloud.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Soul's Tragedy
... is his interest or his duty to pursue; but the ... convictions, partial or entire, and
all its terrors superficial or ... out all the light; you will wind another fold ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a souls tragedy.htm

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in ...
... the vigor of a renewed youth, to pursue the labors of ... and though you are strangers
to the terrors, the sorrows ... The wind bloweth where it listeth, and the Spirit ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse vii of the necessity.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... 'Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?'. ... The wind sits always on my
face, and the foaming rage of the sea of this world, and the proud and lofty ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... Spirit; but God makes use of this cross wind, to blow ... This makes the soul pursue
sin with a holy malice, and seek ... He lost his peace, he felt the terrors of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

Sleep Not
... if they would stir you; but even such terrors would be of ... it would be done, and David's
enemy would pursue him no ... but to speak as the divine wind blows through ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/sleep not.htm

Spiritual Peace
... in the garden of humanity feels the sweet south wind of the ... no sufferings that shall
move my soul to pain, no terrors that shall ... seek this peace and pursue it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/spiritual peace.htm

I Know that My Redeemer Liveth
... And now they pursue their work of devastation; the pitiless ... pieces, and flung in
handfuls to the wind, so that ... the flight of the King of Terrors, the pursuit ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/i know that my redeemer.htm

The Alarum
... The heathens of Tibet turn the wind to account religiously ... at last has enabled persons
to pursue their callings ... yet that forget God, for his terrors are past ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

Striking Similes
... Brute terrors like the scurrying of rats in a deserted ... Like a cold wind his words
went through their ... a crowd of frightened porpoises a shoal of sharks pursue. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm

Whither Goest Thou?
... forge ahead in the teeth of the wind; but all ... to have a high purpose, and to pursue
it heartily. ... and seen unimaginable horrors and heartmelting terrors, yet He ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/whither goest thou.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of “chasing the wind” in Ecclesiastes? | GotQuestions.org

What 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 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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Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

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Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

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Knives (12 Occurrences)

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Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

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Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

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Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

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Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

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Kneel (10 Occurrences)

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Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

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Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

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Visible (12 Occurrences)

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Kedar (11 Occurrences)

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Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Wind of Molten Images
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