The whirlwind is a repeated motif throughout the Old Testament.¹ As a weather phenomenon it is both wild and direct, chaotic and sharply focused. Appearing unexpectedly and creating a sense of awe in all those that observed it, the whirlwind is a perfect metaphor for God, or more accurately for God's transport.

Here, after a long discourse on the nature of God between Job and his friends, God decides, finally, to speak for Himself. Arriving in a whirlwind, he demands immediate silence and focus. Job, as one of the earlier books of the Bible is likely to be the first to use this motif. It is interesting to contrast this wild, awe-inspiring God with the peaceful, father-God of Jesus several thousand years later. Perhaps the closer we move towards God the less scary He appears to be. The Biblical narrative, from start to finish seems to be the developing story of our relationship with God.²

¹ Whirlwind references: 2 Kings 2:1-11, Psalm 77:18, Isaiah 66:15, Jeremiah 4:13, Jeremiah 23:19, Ezekiel 1:4
² This idea is touched on in the earlier reflections, Acceptance and Teenager