Controlloing The Winds Of Life

By Bode Ayodele

There are various winds in the earth. Each wind serves a specific purpose. Going through the bible you will notice that each type of wind is called by its specific name. We also discover from the scriptures that different winds play different roles.

The bible mentions four major winds: the east wind, the west wind, the south wind and the north wind. Also, other kinds of winds are stated in the scriptures such as the whirlwind, eurocyclon, storm, dry wind, and blast to mention a few.

In this message we are going to look at these various winds and examine the specific roles they play from a biblical perspective. This knowledge will put us in a better position to deal with wind related issues (both physically and spiritually) as they affect our lives.

Before we examine the various kinds of winds however, it is necessary to note that we have been given dominion over all that God has created (remember, Joshua commanded the sun and moon.) However, in many cases we do not exercise our dominion and authority.

Jesus made it clear that as God’s children we are to control the elements of the earth. He led by example. When the wind blew contrary to the course of the ship He was in, Jesus commanded the wind and it obeyed him:

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

As God’s children we are expected to exercise the same level of authority. When you are aware of the specific role each winds play, then you will understand how certain problems experienced in life are wind related. You will also learn how to address each wind specifically. Let us examine the winds and the roles they play:

East Wind: The east wind is about the most significant and by far, the most mentioned in the bible. It is mentioned 19 times - twice as many times as the three other major winds put together!

This wind is a destructive kind of force. Wherever it is mentioned in the bible it refers to something being destroyed or put to ruin. The Psalmist states:

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. (Psalm 48:7)

The book of Jonah 4:8 speaks of a vehement east wind beating the head of Jonah and destroying the gourd God prepared as shade to protect him:

And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement East Wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. (Jonah 4:8)

Ezekiel talks of the east wind drying up fruits and withering strong rods – all in line with its destructive capabilities.

But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them. (Ezekiel 19:12)

Aside destroying anything that falls into its path the mere following of the east wind could bring about trouble as revealed in Hosea:

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. (Hosea 12:1)

In other words, the fact that Ephraim followed the east wind was responsible for the desolation he suffered.

Job provides us with a further insight into the destructive tendencies of the east wind:

Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? (Job 15:2)

While Job 27:21 notes:

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. (Job 27:21)

The above is with reference to what will happen to the wicked who fail to acknowledge the Lord.

The bible reveals that it was the east wind that Moses commanded to bring destructive locust upon Egypt. This is in no doubt, a wind that carries destruction in its wings:

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. (Exodus 10:13)

Likewise, the seven ears of corn in Pharaoh’s dream were reportedly blasted and thus damaged by the east wind:

And, behold seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. (Genesis 41:6)

Ezekiel describes the east wind as withering the tender branch:

Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? Shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? It shall wither in the furrows where it grew. (Ezekiel 17:10)